DIY History | Transcribe | Hevelin Fanzines | Voice of the Imagination, whole no. 14, May 1941

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Voice of the Imagination, whole no. 14, May 1941

Page 8

8
the calling-to-the-colours of Ted Carnell and other British fan-writers who were featured regularly in the USA fan-magazines.   I would add, on my own behalf, that I fully realise that I cannot ever aspire to the heights reached by those writers whom America already knows, but I might, with not a little luck and some diligence, go some little way towards keeping Britain and her pre-war, growing body of fandom
in the eyes of their cousins across the sea. I will, at any rate, do my best, should you want it!    (Here's a noble offer, YankeeditorsI    Nufsed.)

Well, this wretched business in Europe~wilI~come~to~an end~one~day y'know, and we will be of real help to you folks, our friends and associates in USA. Until that day we shall have to be content to look on, though perhaps a little enviously, whilst you carry on the good work!    

My hearty good wishes to all my friends in California,
particularly to Morojo, Russ Hodgkins, Art Barnes and your esteemed self, Forrie."

Hank Kuttner
Looky, lookv.  looky. It's MR & MRS KUTTNER:  "A brief word of appreciation for the assorted fooze you so kindly sent us. Kat divided her attention at breakfast between brioches and fan mags, and, between hasty gulps of bourbon, I peered over her shoulder. I note a curious phenomenon. It has been a
long time since I saw a fan mag. (Letter dated 15 Apr 41)
They've changed quite a lot~technicaIIy much improved with a great deal more attention paid to format.    Some of the stuff was extraordinarily well done. As for the contents, I have only lately learned to read.    I was
charmed by the guy who emulated e. e. cummings in the lower-case spelling of his
name.   Just to be different, I think I'll sign my copy henceforward as hENRY kUTT-
NER.   Or, perhaps, hEnRy KuTtNeR.   Or maybe HenrY KuttnoR.    Nothing like variety, say I. In any case, Catherine and I both thank you very kindly for sending the material, and we love you devotedly.   My devoted spouse is at present typing rapidly—God knows what—at her desk, and I have just finished brooding over the uncharted mysteries of the New York state income tax return. The Necronomicon had nothing on that.   The hell with it, I say. 

All those fan mags gave me a sad feeling of nostalgia.   Kat agrees with me that we should head west pronto.   It's all quite indefinite as yet, but living in an apartment, in a city of eight million people, is a definitely artificial environment. Both of us remain baffled by subways, New Yorkers, stores, life, and New York. It is our intention, anon, to drive west and find a dwelling around Hollywood where one can see the horizon. Perspective is inverted here. Buildings get taller, farther away.

There's little news. Catherine started a Northwest Smith yarn, but hasn't finished it yet.    I sold Unknown a couple of new ones, A GNOME THERE WAS and THE DEVIL WE KNOW.  But both of us would
much prefer to wander into Clifton's and see Russ hurling his gavel at Bradbury, Fred reading his Bible, and Mr. Ackerman reclining drunkenly under the table, Allah grant that happy event will take place soon. (Alas, Allah's changed now. Hodgkins,
long-since replaced as Director, no longer hurls the gavel at anyone, for he no longer attends meetings.    Nor does Shroyer show up but tis said instead Fred has taken
to~the~wines &~sweet adelines.   While Ackerman—surprisingly!—has straitend up,
sworn off the egg-spiked dubl-rich choclit malts & been elected Director!) -- We both love you devotedly."

A letter from ELMER PERDUE, undated, believed rcvd last
Dec, crowded & recrowded out due to length (5 elite-type pgs), at last presented, at
least in part. Perdue post scripted:  "I wrote much more than you should be expected
to print, for the obvious reason that I'm no competent critic of my own writings.
So cut this down to size, please, leaving only the more clever and interesting bits."
We hope we have succeeded! "Vombicoones: "I wonder what to say in this, my return to Voice after a year's absence....
"Most important thing first—a request for correspondents.    (617 B St, Rock Springs, Wyo)   Rock Springs, tho a town sincere enough in its way, ~still~has~no~attractions.~ Precisely as one would characterize Philadelphia as a continuous slum, so would one characterize Rock Springs as a continuous red-light district. So for me, there's nothing to do but write letters and
wear out deck after deck of cards playing solitaire, then tearing each deck quite
neatly in four parts after its usefulness has departed.

So if any of you dopes feel like helping me to ease my loneliness--all letters gladly received and as cheerfully answered. I'll guarantee a minimum of four pages--and I won't even draw the

Saving...

8 the calling-to-the-colours of Ted Carnell and other British fan-writers who were featured regularly in the USA fan-magazines. I would add, on my own behalf, that I fully realise that I cannot ever aspire to the heights reached by those writers whom America already knows, but I might, with not a little luck and some diligence, go some little way towards keeping Britain and her pre-war, growing body of fandom in the eyes of their cousins across the sea. I will, at any rate, do my best, should you want it! (Here's a noble offer, YankeeditorsI Nufsed.) Well, this wretched business in Europe~wilI~come~to~an end~one~day y'know, and we will be of real help to you folks, our friends and associates in USA. Until that day we shall have to be content to look on, though perhaps a little enviously, whilst you carry on the good work! My hearty good wishes to all my friends in California, particularly to Morojo, Russ Hodgkins, Art Barnes and your esteemed self, Forrie." Hank Kuttner Looky, lookv. looky. It's MR & MRS KUTTNER: "A brief word of appreciation for the assorted fooze you so kindly sent us. Kat divided her attention at breakfast between brioches and fan mags, and, between hasty gulps of bourbon, I peered over her shoulder. I note a curious phenomenon. It has been a long time since I saw a fan mag. (Letter dated 15 Apr 41) They've changed quite a lot~technicaIIy much improved with a great deal more attention paid to format. Some of the stuff was extraordinarily well done. As for the contents, I have only lately learned to read. I was charmed by the guy who emulated e. e. cummings in the lower-case spelling of his name. Just to be different, I think I'll sign my copy henceforward as hENRY kUTT- NER. Or, perhaps, hEnRy KuTtNeR. Or maybe HenrY KuttnoR. Nothing like variety, say I. In any case, Catherine and I both thank you very kindly for sending the material, and we love you devotedly. My devoted spouse is at present typing rapidly—God knows what—at her desk, and I have just finished brooding over the uncharted mysteries of the New York state income tax return. The Necronomicon had nothing on that. The hell with it, I say. All those fan mags gave me a sad feeling of nostalgia. Kat agrees with me that we should head west pronto. It's all quite indefinite as yet, but living in an apartment, in a city of eight million people, is a definitely artificial environment. Both of us remain baffled by subways, New Yorkers, stores, life, and New York. It is our intention, anon, to drive west and find a dwelling around Hollywood where one can see the horizon. Perspective is inverted here. Buildings get taller, farther away. There's little news. Catherine started a Northwest Smith yarn, but hasn't finished it yet. I sold Unknown a couple of new ones, A GNOME THERE WAS and THE DEVIL WE KNOW. But both of us would much prefer to wander into Clifton's and see Russ hurling his gavel at Bradbury, Fred reading his Bible, and Mr. Ackerman reclining drunkenly under the table, Allah grant that happy event will take place soon. (Alas, Allah's changed now. Hodgkins, long-since replaced as Director, no longer hurls the gavel at anyone, for he no longer attends meetings. Nor does Shroyer show up but tis said instead Fred has taken to~the~wines &~sweet adelines. While Ackerman—surprisingly!—has straitend up, sworn off the egg-spiked dubl-rich choclit malts & been elected Director!) -- We both love you devotedly." A letter from ELMER PERDUE, undated, believed rcvd last Dec, crowded & recrowded out due to length (5 elite-type pgs), at last presented, at least in part. Perdue post scripted: "I wrote much more than you should be expected to print, for the obvious reason that I'm no competent critic of my own writings. So cut this down to size, please, leaving only the more clever and interesting bits." We hope we have succeeded! "Vombicoones: "I wonder what to say in this, my return to Voice after a year's absence.... "Most important thing first—a request for correspondents. (617 B St, Rock Springs, Wyo) Rock Springs, tho a town sincere enough in its way, ~still~has~no~attractions.~ Precisely as one would characterize Philadelphia as a continuous slum, so would one characterize Rock Springs as a continuous red-light district. So for me, there's nothing to do but write letters and wear out deck after deck of cards playing solitaire, then tearing each deck quite neatly in four parts after its usefulness has departed. So if any of you dopes feel like helping me to ease my loneliness--all letters gladly received and as cheerfully answered. I'll guarantee a minimum of four pages--and I won't even draw the