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Fantasy Commentator, v. 1, issue 11, Summer 1946
Page 290
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290 FANTASY COMMENTATOR policy was suicidal for a publication which never obtained sufficient subscriptions to pay even for its paper. It was now obvious that in addition to the first stratum of fandom, prime examples of which were the producers of Fantasy Magazine and Marvel Tales, and the second stratum, which centered about the Terrestrial Fantascience Guild and the International Cosmos Science Club, yet a third fandom was forming. This ranked below the other two in power and importance, and was composed largely of very young fans, who, despite undeveloped talents and little support, were independantly minded enough to refuse to merge their identities with more experienced groups. Beck and Blish, with their Science-Fiction Critic and Planeteer, were typical of the third fandom, and while at first appeared to drift along with the tide, they and their fellows were soon to strike out on their own and become a major force in fan history. XI The SFL-ISA Showdown As 1935 drew to a close, the tumultous strife between the International Cosmos Science Club and the Science Fiction League entered its final stages following the expulsion of Sykora, Wollheim and Michel from the League roster. Here it might be propitious to inquire how the ICSC was faring in its relationships with the professionals generally. Was it facing a solid bloc of professional antagonism? Was the SFL really the battle-ground for all the professionals against the fans? The answer to both questions is an emphatic No. Both F. Orlin Tremaine and T. O'Conor Sloane, editors of Wonder Stories' major competitors, had shown far greater wisdom than Hornig in their relations with the organization. When the ICSC asked Sloane for permission to use an emblem symbolizing science-fiction that Amazing Stories had used as a cover illustration, Sloane could find "no objection." Early in existence Tremaine acknowledged a complimentary copy of The International Observer sent him, saying, "I was really surprised at the pretentious presentation of your International Observer. It would seem to me that you're coming forward as a group. I wish you all the luck in the world." Thus, with a few simple words, Tremaine gained the undying gratitude and cooperation of the ICSC. Throughout its existence it maintained the most cordial relations with Astounding Stories, and in the latter magazine news and publicity of the club was occasionally published. Tremaine, editor of a magazine paying the highest rates in the field, had everything to gain by having Gernsback's shoddy ethics contrasted with his own, but it is doubtful if this motivated his actions to any marked extent. It is obvious how easily and simply Hornig might have obtained cooperation from the ICSC instead of firing embers of hate. A few lines of publicity for the club in his letter column, a more tactful reply to its querying letter---and the entire history of the Science Fiction League might have been markedly changed. In the meantime Will Sykora, who had always cast an envious eye at Raymond A. Palmer's International Scientific Association, now wrote Palmer, urging him to sanction a consolidation of the old ISA with the ICSC, particularly since the ISA had never sounded an official death-knell, rather remaining in a state of suspended animation. By absorbing the older group Sykora saw an opportunity to gain for the ICSC a long, honorable history, a distinguished name, and unquestioned supremacy as the leading fan organization of the time. To Palmer it meant ridding himself of his obligations expeditiously and honorably. So, with its first anniversary issue The International Observer combined with Cosmology and printed a letter from Palmer, in which the latter announced handing over his club lock, stock and barrel to the ICSC. Although the International Cosmos Science Club did not officially change its title, it everywhere publicized itself as the
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290 FANTASY COMMENTATOR policy was suicidal for a publication which never obtained sufficient subscriptions to pay even for its paper. It was now obvious that in addition to the first stratum of fandom, prime examples of which were the producers of Fantasy Magazine and Marvel Tales, and the second stratum, which centered about the Terrestrial Fantascience Guild and the International Cosmos Science Club, yet a third fandom was forming. This ranked below the other two in power and importance, and was composed largely of very young fans, who, despite undeveloped talents and little support, were independantly minded enough to refuse to merge their identities with more experienced groups. Beck and Blish, with their Science-Fiction Critic and Planeteer, were typical of the third fandom, and while at first appeared to drift along with the tide, they and their fellows were soon to strike out on their own and become a major force in fan history. XI The SFL-ISA Showdown As 1935 drew to a close, the tumultous strife between the International Cosmos Science Club and the Science Fiction League entered its final stages following the expulsion of Sykora, Wollheim and Michel from the League roster. Here it might be propitious to inquire how the ICSC was faring in its relationships with the professionals generally. Was it facing a solid bloc of professional antagonism? Was the SFL really the battle-ground for all the professionals against the fans? The answer to both questions is an emphatic No. Both F. Orlin Tremaine and T. O'Conor Sloane, editors of Wonder Stories' major competitors, had shown far greater wisdom than Hornig in their relations with the organization. When the ICSC asked Sloane for permission to use an emblem symbolizing science-fiction that Amazing Stories had used as a cover illustration, Sloane could find "no objection." Early in existence Tremaine acknowledged a complimentary copy of The International Observer sent him, saying, "I was really surprised at the pretentious presentation of your International Observer. It would seem to me that you're coming forward as a group. I wish you all the luck in the world." Thus, with a few simple words, Tremaine gained the undying gratitude and cooperation of the ICSC. Throughout its existence it maintained the most cordial relations with Astounding Stories, and in the latter magazine news and publicity of the club was occasionally published. Tremaine, editor of a magazine paying the highest rates in the field, had everything to gain by having Gernsback's shoddy ethics contrasted with his own, but it is doubtful if this motivated his actions to any marked extent. It is obvious how easily and simply Hornig might have obtained cooperation from the ICSC instead of firing embers of hate. A few lines of publicity for the club in his letter column, a more tactful reply to its querying letter---and the entire history of the Science Fiction League might have been markedly changed. In the meantime Will Sykora, who had always cast an envious eye at Raymond A. Palmer's International Scientific Association, now wrote Palmer, urging him to sanction a consolidation of the old ISA with the ICSC, particularly since the ISA had never sounded an official death-knell, rather remaining in a state of suspended animation. By absorbing the older group Sykora saw an opportunity to gain for the ICSC a long, honorable history, a distinguished name, and unquestioned supremacy as the leading fan organization of the time. To Palmer it meant ridding himself of his obligations expeditiously and honorably. So, with its first anniversary issue The International Observer combined with Cosmology and printed a letter from Palmer, in which the latter announced handing over his club lock, stock and barrel to the ICSC. Although the International Cosmos Science Club did not officially change its title, it everywhere publicized itself as the
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