Difference between revisions of "Jack Speer"

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(August 8, 1920 -- June 28, 2008)
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(August 8, 1920 June 28, 2008)
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[[File:speer1938.jpeg|thumb|left|Jack Speer, ca. 1938.]]
  
'''John Bristol Speer''' was one of the fathers of [[fandom]] and perhaps the first really important [[fanhistorian]], writing ''[[Up to Now]]: A History of Science Fiction Fandom'' as well as the [[first Fancyclopedia]] in 1944. In 2004, he was [[Fan GoH]] at [[Noreascon 4]] in Boston.
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'''John Bristol Speer''' was one of the fathers of [[fandom]] and the first really important [[fanhistorian]], writing ''[[Up to Now]]: A History of Science Fiction Fandom'' as well as the [[first Fancyclopedia]] in 1944. In 2004, he was [[Fan GoH]] at [[Noreascon 4]] in Boston.
  
Jack Speer became became a fan around 1935 and was responsible for a long series of firsts:
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Speer became became a fan around 1935 and was responsible for a long series of firsts:
  
 
* Besides writing ''[[Up to Now]]'', he developed a system of [[Numerical Fandoms]], which was later expanded by other fan historians such as [[Robert Silverberg]] and [[Ted White]].  
 
* Besides writing ''[[Up to Now]]'', he developed a system of [[Numerical Fandoms]], which was later expanded by other fan historians such as [[Robert Silverberg]] and [[Ted White]].  
 
* He followed ''[[Up to Now]]'' with [[Fancyclopedia 1]] (updated in the late 50s by [[Dick Eney]] as [[Fancyclopedia 2]]).  [[Harry Warner, Jr.]], also a fan historian said that Speer was "the first to stress ([[fandom]]'s) subcultural aspects.  
 
* He followed ''[[Up to Now]]'' with [[Fancyclopedia 1]] (updated in the late 50s by [[Dick Eney]] as [[Fancyclopedia 2]]).  [[Harry Warner, Jr.]], also a fan historian said that Speer was "the first to stress ([[fandom]]'s) subcultural aspects.  
* Single-handedly, he made fandom's [[AJ]]s something entirely different from the [[mundane]] [[ajay|amateur journalism]] groups"  by introducing the "[[LoC|mailing comment]]" in the 3rd issue of [[FAPA]].
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* Single-handedly, he made fandom's [[AJ]]s something entirely different from the [[mundane]] [[ajay|amateur journalism]] groups"  by introducing "[[mailing comments]]" in the 3rd issue of [[FAPA]].
 
* At [[Chicon I]], the second [[Worldcon]], Speer distributed a set of [[science fiction]] songs he had written, now called [[filk]], as the ''[[Science Fiction Song Sheet]]''. They were reprinted under the pseudonym [[John Bristol]] in ''[[Xenofilkia]]'', as "Various Songs", and "Twilight Prelude".
 
* At [[Chicon I]], the second [[Worldcon]], Speer distributed a set of [[science fiction]] songs he had written, now called [[filk]], as the ''[[Science Fiction Song Sheet]]''. They were reprinted under the pseudonym [[John Bristol]] in ''[[Xenofilkia]]'', as "Various Songs", and "Twilight Prelude".
 
* Also at Chicon, Speer and [[Milt Rothman]] suggested a [[costume party]] or [[masquerade]] which is still part of [[Worldcon]] today.
 
* Also at Chicon, Speer and [[Milt Rothman]] suggested a [[costume party]] or [[masquerade]] which is still part of [[Worldcon]] today.
* After founding editor [[E. E. Evans]] stepped down, Speer became the editor of the [[N3F]]'s [[Official Organ]], ''[[The National Fantasy Fan]]'' for the remainder of 1945.
 
 
* He invented [[FooFoo]].
 
* He invented [[FooFoo]].
  
Originally from Oklahoma, where he started reading sf at in 1928 at age 8.  He found fandom through the letter columns of ''[[Wonder]]'' in the early 1930s where he started a correspondence with [[Don Wollheim]]. He lived in [[DC]] during the [[War]] and later moved to the Pacific Northwest before retiring to [[Albuquerque]].
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Originally from Oklahoma, where he started reading [[sf]] in 1928 at age 8.  He found [[fandom]] through the letter columns of ''[[Wonder]]'' in the early 1930s where he started a correspondence with [[Don Wollheim]]. He lived in [[DC]] during the [[War]] and later moved to the Pacific Northwest before retiring to [[Albuquerque]].
  
By inventing the [[John Bristol]] persona he perpetrated one of the more successful [[hoaxes]] in the history of [[fandom]].  He was also known by the nicknames '''Juffus''' and the '''Hily Magnified Woggle-Bug'''
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By inventing the [[John Bristol]] persona, he perpetrated one of the more successful [[hoaxes]] in the history of [[fandom]].  He was also known by the nicknames '''Juffus''' and the '''Hily Magnified Woggle-Bug'''
  
Winner of the [[First Fandom Hall of Fame award]]. He was brought to [[Ditto 14]]/[[FanHistoriCon 11]] by the [[Don Ford Fund]].
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After founding editor [[E. E. Evans]] stepped down, Speer became the editor of the [[N3F]]'s [[Official Organ]], ''[[The National Fantasy Fan]]'' for the remainder of 1945. He was a recipient of the [[First Fandom Hall of Fame award]]. He was brought to [[Ditto 14]]/[[FanHistoriCon 11]] by the [[Don Ford Fund]].
  
 
His [[fanzines]] included ''[[A]]'', ''[[Allegory]]'', ''[[Antaios]]'', ''[[Avalon (Speer)]]'',  ''[[Demeter]]'', ''[[Deukalion]]'', ''[[Eos (Speer)]]'', ''[[Epimetheus]]'', ''[[Hesper]]'', ''[[Oduooeus]]'', ''[[Olympus (Speer)]]'', ''[[One Fingers Number Four Fingers Number One]]'' (with [[F. T. Laney]], [[Charles Burbee]], and [[Walt Leibscher]]), ''[[Phosphor]]'', ''[[Photon (Speer)]]'', ''[[Science Fiction Forum (Speer)]]'', ''[[Stefnews]]'', ''[[The Stefnews]]'' (with [[John Bristol]]), ''[[Stf and Nonsense]]'' (with [[Dan MacPhail]]) ''[[Sustaining Program]]'', ''[[Synapse (Speer)]]''.
 
His [[fanzines]] included ''[[A]]'', ''[[Allegory]]'', ''[[Antaios]]'', ''[[Avalon (Speer)]]'',  ''[[Demeter]]'', ''[[Deukalion]]'', ''[[Eos (Speer)]]'', ''[[Epimetheus]]'', ''[[Hesper]]'', ''[[Oduooeus]]'', ''[[Olympus (Speer)]]'', ''[[One Fingers Number Four Fingers Number One]]'' (with [[F. T. Laney]], [[Charles Burbee]], and [[Walt Leibscher]]), ''[[Phosphor]]'', ''[[Photon (Speer)]]'', ''[[Science Fiction Forum (Speer)]]'', ''[[Stefnews]]'', ''[[The Stefnews]]'' (with [[John Bristol]]), ''[[Stf and Nonsense]]'' (with [[Dan MacPhail]]) ''[[Sustaining Program]]'', ''[[Synapse (Speer)]]''.
  
He was a member of [[FAPA]] (and was a leading member of the [[Brain Trust]]) and served in many offices.
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He was a member of [[FAPA]] (and was a leading member of the [[Brain Trust]]) and served in many offices, including a [[Blitzkrieg]].
  
Articles ''about'' Speer:
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Jack was born in Comanche, [[Oklahoma]]. He became a lawyer and after [[WWII]], he began practicing law in Washington State, where he was active in the Democratic Party and served a term in the State House of Representatives (1959–61). He later moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico. He continued to practice law and served two terms as the judge of the Bernalillo County Small Claims Court.
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While in New Mexico he was one of the founders of [[Bubonicon]] (though he protested the name, see [[Bubonicon 2]]), and was memorialized at [[Bubonicon 40]].
 +
 
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* Read his short history ''[[Up To Now]]'' for Jack Speer on early fandom -- and on Jack Speer
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===More reading:===
 
* ''[[Jack Speer -- Elder God]]'' by [[Bob Tucker]].   
 
* ''[[Jack Speer -- Elder God]]'' by [[Bob Tucker]].   
 
* The first issue of [[Lee Hoffman]]'s ''[[Fan History]]'' in February 1956 was the Jack Speer issue.
 
* The first issue of [[Lee Hoffman]]'s ''[[Fan History]]'' in February 1956 was the Jack Speer issue.
 
* ''[[Jack Speer & Fandom]]''
 
* ''[[Jack Speer & Fandom]]''
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*Obituary by [[Jon D. Swartz]] in New Series #18, 3rd quarter, 2008, issue of ''[[Scientifiction: The First Fandom Report]]''
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* Founding Members article by Swartz in {{TNFF|date=July, 2017|volume=76|number=7}}.
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* An early short biography, {{WhosWho1940|page=12}}.
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* [[Noreascon 4]] [https://efanzines.com/UpToNow/N4SouvenirBook_SpeerExcerpt.pdf articles about Speer]
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*His photograph appears on page 128 of [[Harry Warner, Jr.]]'s ''[[All Our Yesterdays]]'' (1969) and on page 19 of [[Harry Warner]]'s ''[[A Wealth of Fable]]'' (1992).
  
Jack was born in Comanche, Oklahoma. He became a lawyer and after [[WWII]], he began practicing law in Washington State, where he was active in the Democratic Party and served a term in the State House of Representatives (1959–61). He later moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico. He continued to practice law and served two terms as the judge of the Bernalillo County Small Claims Court.
 
 
While in New Mexico he was one of the founders of [[Bubonicon]] (though he protested the name, see [[Bubonicon 2]]) and was memorialized at [[Bubonicon 40]].
 
 
His photograph appears on page 128 of [[Harry Warner, Jr.]]'s ''[[All Our Yesterdays]]'' (1969) and on page 19 of Warner's ''[[A Wealth of Fable]]'' (1992).
 
 
An obituary by [[Jon D. Swartz]] appeared in {{TNFF|date=New Series #18, 3rd quarter, 2008, issue of ''[[Scientifiction: The First Fandom Report]]''.  Speer was also the subject of a Founding Members article by Swartz in the July, 2017|volume=76|number=7}}.
 
 
Reading:
 
* Read his short history ''[[Up To Now]]'' for Jack Speer on early fandom -- and on Jack Speer
 
* For an early short biography, see {{WhosWho1940|page=12}}.
 
  
 
{{fanzines}}
 
{{fanzines}}
* ''[["A"]]'' [early 40s] (for [[FAPA]])
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* ''[["A"]]'' [early ’40s] (for [[FAPA]])
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* ''[[Allegory]]''
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* ''[[Antaios]]''
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* ''[[Avalon (Speer)]]'',
 
* ''[[Black and White]]'' [1944] (with [[Forrest J Ackerman]] for [[FAPA]])
 
* ''[[Black and White]]'' [1944] (with [[Forrest J Ackerman]] for [[FAPA]])
 
* ''[[Blitzkrieg]]'' (with [[Elmer Perdue]] and [[Milt Rothman]] for [[FAPA]])
 
* ''[[Blitzkrieg]]'' (with [[Elmer Perdue]] and [[Milt Rothman]] for [[FAPA]])
 
* ''[[The Cosmic Circle & Fandom]]'' [1943] (for [[FAPA]])
 
* ''[[The Cosmic Circle & Fandom]]'' [1943] (for [[FAPA]])
 
* ''[[Decimal Classification for Fantasy Fiction]]'' [1943] (for [[FAPA]])
 
* ''[[Decimal Classification for Fantasy Fiction]]'' [1943] (for [[FAPA]])
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* ''[[Demeter]]''
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*''[[Deukalion]]''
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*''[[Eos (Speer)]]''
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*''[[Epimetheus]]''
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*''[[Fancyclopedia]]''
 
* ''[[Full Length Articles]]'' [1938-60s] (for [[FAPA]])
 
* ''[[Full Length Articles]]'' [1938-60s] (for [[FAPA]])
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*''[[Hesper]]''
 
* ''[[Investigation in Newcastle]]'' [1944] (for [[FAPA]])
 
* ''[[Investigation in Newcastle]]'' [1944] (for [[FAPA]])
 
* ''[[Konan]]'' [1942] (for [[FAPA]])
 
* ''[[Konan]]'' [1942] (for [[FAPA]])
 
* ''[[Matters of Opinion]]'' [1940s] (for [[FAPA]])
 
* ''[[Matters of Opinion]]'' [1940s] (for [[FAPA]])
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*''[[Oduooeus]]''
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*''[[Olympus (Speer)]]'',
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*''[[One Fingers Number Four Fingers Number One]]'' (with [[F. T. Laney]], [[Charles Burbee]], and [[Walt Leibscher]])
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*''[[Phosphor]]''
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*''[[Photon (Speer)]]''
 
* ''[[Please Lay This Aside]]'' [1943] (for [[FAPA]])
 
* ''[[Please Lay This Aside]]'' [1943] (for [[FAPA]])
 
* ''[[Ramblings]]'' [1938-42] (for [[FAPA]])
 
* ''[[Ramblings]]'' [1938-42] (for [[FAPA]])
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*''[[Science Fiction Forum (Speer)]]''
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*''[[The SF Democrat]]'' [1944]
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*''[[Stefnews]]''/''[[The Stefnews]]'' 
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*''[[Stf and Nonsense]]'' (with [[Dan MacPhail]])
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*''[[Sustaining Program]]''
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*''[[Synapse (Speer)]]'
 
* ''[[To Relive Ten Years!]]'' [1951] (for [[FAPA]])
 
* ''[[To Relive Ten Years!]]'' [1951] (for [[FAPA]])
* ''[[The SF Democrat]]'' [1944]
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*''[[Up to Now]]''
  
 
{{recognition}}
 
{{recognition}}
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* 1994 -- [[Past president of the FWA]]
 
* 1994 -- [[Past president of the FWA]]
 
* 1995 -- [[First Fandom Hall of Fame]]
 
* 1995 -- [[First Fandom Hall of Fame]]
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*2001 -- [[Don Ford Fund]] guest at [[Ditto 14]]/[[FanHistoriCon 11]]
 
* 2004 -- '''[[Noreascon 4]]'''
 
* 2004 -- '''[[Noreascon 4]]'''
  

Revision as of 05:19, 28 August 2020

(August 8, 1920 – June 28, 2008)

Jack Speer, ca. 1938.

John Bristol Speer was one of the fathers of fandom and the first really important fanhistorian, writing Up to Now: A History of Science Fiction Fandom as well as the first Fancyclopedia in 1944. In 2004, he was Fan GoH at Noreascon 4 in Boston.

Speer became became a fan around 1935 and was responsible for a long series of firsts:

Originally from Oklahoma, where he started reading sf in 1928 at age 8. He found fandom through the letter columns of Wonder in the early 1930s where he started a correspondence with Don Wollheim. He lived in DC during the War and later moved to the Pacific Northwest before retiring to Albuquerque.

By inventing the John Bristol persona, he perpetrated one of the more successful hoaxes in the history of fandom. He was also known by the nicknames Juffus and the Hily Magnified Woggle-Bug

After founding editor E. E. Evans stepped down, Speer became the editor of the N3F's Official Organ, The National Fantasy Fan for the remainder of 1945. He was a recipient of the First Fandom Hall of Fame award. He was brought to Ditto 14/FanHistoriCon 11 by the Don Ford Fund.

His fanzines included A, Allegory, Antaios, Avalon, Demeter, Deukalion, Eos, Epimetheus, Hesper, Oduooeus, Olympus, One Fingers Number Four Fingers Number One (with F. T. Laney, Charles Burbee, and Walt Leibscher), Phosphor, Photon, Science Fiction Forum, Stefnews, The Stefnews (with John Bristol), Stf and Nonsense (with Dan MacPhail) Sustaining Program, Synapse.

He was a member of FAPA (and was a leading member of the Brain Trust) and served in many offices, including a Blitzkrieg.

Jack was born in Comanche, Oklahoma. He became a lawyer and after WWII, he began practicing law in Washington State, where he was active in the Democratic Party and served a term in the State House of Representatives (1959–61). He later moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico. He continued to practice law and served two terms as the judge of the Bernalillo County Small Claims Court.

While in New Mexico he was one of the founders of Bubonicon (though he protested the name, see Bubonicon 2), and was memorialized at Bubonicon 40.

  • Read his short history Up To Now for Jack Speer on early fandom -- and on Jack Speer

More reading:[edit]


Fanzines and Apazines:

Awards, Honors and GoHships:


Person 19202008
This is a biography page. Please extend it by adding more information about the person, such as fanzines and apazines published, awards, clubs, conventions worked on, GoHships, impact on fandom, external links, anecdotes, etc. See Standards for People and The Naming of Names.