DIY History | Transcribe | Hevelin Fanzines | Van Houten Says, v. 5, issue 2, October 1, 1940

Transcribe
Translate

Van Houten Says, v. 5, issue 2, October 1, 1940

Page 2

Van Houten Says       V5N2 - 10/1/40.

stuff.  The new 10¢ price makes it possible for the fans to consider FFM and FN as a sort of supplement to their regular fare gotten in the legitimate magazines.
   The December issue was, I imagine, good all the way thru, but I just looked at the pictures and read the first story, “The Sun-Makers”, which was a real classic.  I may read the Cummings story some day, but it doesn’t look good.
   What is good about the mag is the Paul cover and the Virgil Finley interiors.  They’re both big medicine with me.

   I’m not promising anything definite now, but I may put out another issue of TESSERACT ANNUAL.  The reception of the first number was such a success that I would feel as if a good thing was dead if I didn’t continue publishing TA.
   So, if I can get [50] pledges to take it, I’ll do it.
   Due to the fact that I now own a mimeograph, I will be able to predict more accurately just what you will get for 25¢ this tim e.  I’ll issue a 70 page mimeographed magazine, with either a printed or silk-screened cover, with the same excellent quality material as that which made the first number such a success.
   If you’re interested, drop me a post-card at once, saying, “I will take TESSERACT ANNUAL for 25¢ when it is ready.” If and when I receive 50 such pledges, I will issue the magazine.

   Let’s review the November issue of ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION.
   Cover - so-so.  I’m getting sick of the same color every month.  We used to get red, yellow, and green skies on the old Wonder Stories until we got sick of it.  Now we get blue-grey all the time, and I for one am getting pretty sick of that.
   1.  “Salvage” by Vic Phillips.  First place, but not on the strength of its screwy science.  Learning a language, even a primitive one in a couple of days, is pure twaddle.
   2.  “Sunspot Purge” by Cliff [?].  Pretty good yarn by one of my favorite authors.  Sorry this didn’t take first place, but I don’t like yarns wherein humanity returns to primitivity much.
   3.  “The Exhalted” by L.  Sprague De Camp.  Not bad at all.  I’ll always remember Johnny Black.  The present one of the series is the best so far.
  4.  “One was Stubborn” by Rene Lafayette.  Keep this guy in UNKNOWN with his junk, will you Mr. Campbell.  I don’t buy UNK because I don’t want to read stories like this, and then you try to cram them down my throat in AS-F.  That’s not exactly cricket, you know.  Isthis the story which you claimed was strictly for AS-F?  If it is, I’m afraid you’re mistaken, for it is pure and simply a fantasy, and has no basis in fact at all, as all science-fiction must have.
   Inside illustrations - the only one worth looking at was the one on page 22.  The rest were bad.
   The second part of Willey [Ley’s] article continued the good work, and I’d place it first in the issue if it were possible to compare it with the stories.  The articles, unless something like “Science of Withering” turns up, and usually the best part of this magazine.
   Until next issue, then….. BE A PRO-SCIENTIST!

Saving...

Van Houten Says V5N2 - 10/1/40. stuff. The new 10¢ price makes it possible for the fans to consider FFM and FN as a sort of supplement to their regular fare gotten in the legitimate magazines. The December issue was, I imagine, good all the way thru, but I just looked at the pictures and read the first story, “The Sun-Makers”, which was a real classic. I may read the Cummings story some day, but it doesn’t look good. What is good about the mag is the Paul cover and the Virgil Finley interiors. They’re both big medicine with me. I’m not promising anything definite now, but I may put out another issue of TESSERACT ANNUAL. The reception of the first number was such a success that I would feel as if a good thing was dead if I didn’t continue publishing TA. So, if I can get [50] pledges to take it, I’ll do it. Due to the fact that I now own a mimeograph, I will be able to predict more accurately just what you will get for 25¢ this tim e. I’ll issue a 70 page mimeographed magazine, with either a printed or silk-screened cover, with the same excellent quality material as that which made the first number such a success. If you’re interested, drop me a post-card at once, saying, “I will take TESSERACT ANNUAL for 25¢ when it is ready.” If and when I receive 50 such pledges, I will issue the magazine. Let’s review the November issue of ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION. Cover - so-so. I’m getting sick of the same color every month. We used to get red, yellow, and green skies on the old Wonder Stories until we got sick of it. Now we get blue-grey all the time, and I for one am getting pretty sick of that. 1. “Salvage” by Vic Phillips. First place, but not on the strength of its screwy science. Learning a language, even a primitive one in a couple of days, is pure twaddle. 2. “Sunspot Purge” by Cliff [?]. Pretty good yarn by one of my favorite authors. Sorry this didn’t take first place, but I don’t like yarns wherein humanity returns to primitivity much. 3. “The Exhalted” by L. Sprague De Camp. Not bad at all. I’ll always remember Johnny Black. The present one of the series is the best so far. 4. “One was Stubborn” by Rene Lafayette. Keep this guy in UNKNOWN with his junk, will you Mr. Campbell. I don’t buy UNK because I don’t want to read stories like this, and then you try to cram them down my throat in AS-F. That’s not exactly cricket, you know. Isthis the story which you claimed was strictly for AS-F? If it is, I’m afraid you’re mistaken, for it is pure and simply a fantasy, and has no basis in fact at all, as all science-fiction must have. Inside illustrations - the only one worth looking at was the one on page 22. The rest were bad. The second part of Willey [Ley’s] article continued the good work, and I’d place it first in the issue if it were possible to compare it with the stories. The articles, unless something like “Science of Withering” turns up, and usually the best part of this magazine. Until next issue, then….. BE A PRO-SCIENTIST!