Chicon
The second Worldcon, and first in Chicago, Chicon was held in the Hotel Chicagoan in Chicago, IL, September 1–2, 1940. The GoH was E. E. "Doc" Smith.
The tradition of nicknaming Worldcons was still not settled, and nobody had thought about choosing a site for another Worldcon the year before; Forry Ackerman nicknamed this one. The 1940 Worldcon Site Selection that chose Chicago took place at Philcon 1939, not at the First Worldcon, but this Worldcon cemented the tradition of choosing the upcoming site during the con. Denver in 1941 won the right to host the 1941 Worldcon over a New York in 1941 bid in the 1941 Worldcon Site Selection at Chicon.
The Chicon was sponsored by the Illini Fantasy Fictioneers, a club set up for the purpose, and run by a triumvirate. Mark Reinsberg held the title of chairman (he'd won that title in a "bitter struggle" with W. Lawrence Hamling, who claimed to have been elected), with Erle Korshak (secretary and executive advisor) and Bob Tucker (treasurer and Director of the IFF) as equal partners who did 90% of the work. Sully Roberds did publications and Richard Meyer also helped. Korshak presided over the opening day of the con, when Reinsberg fell ill.
Although the official membership count was 128, Tucker reported that Ray Palmer signed the membership book five times, using his own name and four of his pseudonyms. (This appears to have been common in the early days.) Admission was free. See the list of pre-registered members below.
The Chicon may have been the place where Claude Degler made his first public appearance at a fannish event, unless it was the Denvention.
The first masquerade took place at the Chicon at the suggestion of Jack Speer and Milt Rothman.
Erle Korshak claimed that after Chicon, he and Bob Tucker met and divvied up the couple of hundred dollars that was left after paying the bills. Korshak, Tucker and Reinsberg each got a share and Sully Roberds and Richard Meyer split a share.
- Forrest J Ackerman's Chicon I Reminiscence.
- Chicon I publications and photos on fanac.org.
- 1940 Chicon Scrapbook and Everyfan's Guide.
- The Time Machine: Chicon.
From Fancyclopedia 2, ca. 1959 |
from Convention ChiCon I was in Chicago about Labor Day 1940 under the auspices of the Illinois Fantasy Fictioneers (a con-promoting organization specially organized by Reinsburg, Tucker, and others for the event; it later merged with the MWFFF). The ChiCon I was significant of the new harmony in fandom resulting from the suppression of feuding, and took place in the plushest surroundings yet. A suggestion by Speer and Rothman led to institution of the Costume Party at this con; Dave Kyle won it as Ming the Merciless. |
From Fancyclopedia 1, ca. 1944 |
(Ackerman) - The Chicago 1940 World Science-Fiction Convention |
Contents
Program[edit]
SUNDAY, SEPT. 1[edit]
- MORNING SESSION: 10:00 A.M to 12:00 Noon.
- Informal gathering at Convention Hall.
- Acceptance of Resolutions Petitions.
- Sale of Official Convention Fan Publications
- Luncheon Recess.
- AFTERNOON SESSION: 1:00 to 6:00 P.M.
- Registration in Foyer
- Sale of Chicon Program Booklet.
- Distribution of Chicon souvenirs.
- Formal Opening of Chicon by Temporary Chairman.
- Address of Welcome, by Bob Tucker.
- Report of the Program Committee: Richard I. Meyer, Chairman.
- Installment of Mark Reinsberg as Permanent Chairman.
- "One Year of Fan Progress," by Mark Reinsberg.
- Report of the Resolutions Committee: Erle Korshak, Chairman.
- "What Does This Convention Mean?" by E. E. Smith, Ph. D.
- Motion Picture-Premier Showing of Monsters of the Moon, a scientific fantasy of the future. Introductory remarks by Forrest J Ackerman.
- Recess for Refreshments (30 minutes).
- "What Science Fiction Really Is," Raymond A. Palmer.
- This is Fandom! Introductions of:
- The Convention Committee.
- The Fans and Pros of Chicago: the Nation.
- Supper Recess-preparation for costume party.
- EVENING SESSION: 8:00 P.M. to Midnight.
- The Science Fiction Masquerade Party: Speer & Rothman, co-Masters of Ceremony.
- The Science Fiction Auction: Erle Korshak, Auctioneer.
- Adjournment to Monday Sept. 2nd.
MONDAY, SEPT. 2nd.[edit]
- MORNING SESSION: 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 Noon. (Closed)
- Business Meeting of the Illini Fantasy Fictioneers-IFF members only.
- AFTERNOON SESSION: 1:00 to 6:00 P.M.
- Call to order
- Reading of the Minutes of previous day: George Tullis, Recording Secretary.
- Director's Report on the IFF.
- Report of the Resolutions Committee.
- Individual presentation of proposed Resolutions by sponsors.
- Individual debate.
- Assembly votes for or against adoption of individual proposed Resolutions in Chicon Platform.
- Reading of Chicon Platform for Fandom.
- New or unfinished business.
- Dinner Recess.
- EVENING SESSION: 8:00 P.M. to Midnight.
- The E. E. Smith Honor Banquet. Celebrating the Chicon's GoH, the Colossus of all writers of Science Fiction---Edward E. ("Skylark") Smith, Ph. D.
- After dinner talks and general discussion.
- Final adjournment and --Farewell.
- SPECIAL EVENTS (Tuesday, Sept 3rd).
- The Science Fiction Softball Game. Two select All-Fan Teams battle for the Championship.
- General Open House. Chicago fans "fling wide the portals" of their homes for visiting fans.
- General Tours of Chicago. Escorted trips to Chicago's points of interest, in and out of the fan world.
Hotel Chicagoan[edit]
Located at 67 W. Madison Street in Chicago and built in 1932 as an addition to the adjacent Hotel Morrison (site of Chicon 2), this hotel featured 450 rooms. The site of both hotels is now taken up by the Chase Tower.
List of Chicon Members[edit]
This list of members, labeled “Fantasy Fictioneers,” was taken from the program book, so it includes only those who signed up in advance. A number of names are obviously fakes, several fans are listed more than once under pseudonyms, and the goh and some committee members are missing. In short, it can’t be relied on as a list of who actually attended.
- 4sJ[1]
- Forrest J Ackerman[1]
- Alaska, the Gnome
- Lupe Amador[2]
- Arthur K. Barnes
- Ray Bradbury
- Franklyn “Technocrat” Brady
- Juan Alpiedio Brazzaro
- John A. Bristol[3]
- Phil Bronson
- Beverly Browne
- Jaime Alveras Cardenas
- Ted Carnell
- Chester Cohen
- Chantelle Covington
- Bill Crawford
- Walt Daugherty
- Ted Dikty
- Phil Douglas
- Erdstelulov[1]
- Jack Erman[1]
- Emrys Evans
- Mirta Forsto[4]
- Joe Fortier
- Paul Freehafer
- Georges H. Gallet
- Joe Gilbert
- Jack Gillespie
- Henry D. Goldman
- Prof. Gooseberry[5]
- Samson Delilah Gottesman[6]
- Edmond Hamilton
- Charles Ford Hansen
- John Heaton
- Adolph Hitler
- Russ Hodgkins
- Ron Holmes
- Chas. D. Hornig
- Illini Fantasy Fictioneers
- Robert P. Kahn
- Jerry Keeley
- Allis Kerlay[7]
- H. C. Koenig
- Cyril Kornbluth[8]
- Erle Korshak[9]
- Melvin Korshak[10]
- Mr. and Mrs. Sam Korshak[11]
- Gertrude Kuslan
- Louis Kuslan
- Bob Madle
- Maine Scientifiction Assn.
- Marvis Manning
- Vincent Manning
- Lew Martin
- Gerald W. Meader
- Jean Mehegan
- Richard I. Meyer
- John B. Michel
- Midwest Marky[12]
- Morojo[13]
- Sam Moskowitz
- Allen Moss
- Benito Mussolini
- Eleanor O'Brien
- Bob Olsen[14]
- Maurice Paul
- Jo Perew
- Leslie Perri
- Pogo
- Hoy Ping Pong[15]
- Mario Racic, Jr.
- Rajocz[16]
- M. Rebeque
- Mark Reinsberg[17]
- Ron Reynolds
- Sully Roberds
- Jack Robins
- R. Royal
- Lou Sampliner
- Dorothy Sanford
- Ray J. Sienkiewicz[18]
- William Sisson
- Jack F Speer[19]
- Joseph Stalin
- D. B. Thompson
- Hyman Tiger
- Ivar Towers[20]
- Bob Tucker[21]
- Jim Tucker, Jr.
- George Tullis
- Mary Ellen Tyrrell
- Sophia Van Doorne
- Vodoso
- Claire Voyant[1]
- John Wasso, Jr.
- Braxton Wells[22]
- Art Widner, Jr.
- Jack Williamson
- Dick Wilson[23]
- Eva Wolff
- Donald A. Wollheim[24]
- Tom Wright
- Weaver Wright[1]
- Dirk Wylie
- Belle Wyman[25]
- Bruce Yerke
- Anton Yoike
Other Lists[edit]
In 1965, Bob Tucker did a retrospective on the Chicon which included an analysis of the membership records.
Illini Fantasy Fictioneers[edit]
The Illini Fantasy Fictioneers were organized to put on the Chicon. It was an Illinois group, but accepted members nationally. It was organized in mid-1939 in Bloomington, IL. Bob Tucker was Director, Richard Meyer was Secretary-Treasurer, Erle Korshak was Adviser, Mark Reinsberg was Chairman of the convention, and Sully Roberds was Publicity Director. (Most of them were still in High School. Tucker, at 25, was the Old Man.)
Sully Roberds published the Fantasy Fictioneer as their Official Organ, and they organized meetings (calling them the Chicago Conferences.)
From Fancyclopedia 1, ca. 1944 |
IFF – The Illini Fantasy Fictioneers, formed by Reinsberg, Tucker, et al, as the publicity organization for the Chicon; afterwards continued as a state organization, finally joining the Mid-West Fantasy Fan Federation. |
Members of the Illini Fantasy Fictioneers, 1939–40 (in order of registration)
- Bob Tucker, Bloomington, Ill
- Richard I. Meyer, Chicago
- Mark Reinsberg, Chicago
- Erle Korshak, Chicago
- Sully Roberds, Formal, Ill[26]
- Forrest J Ackerman, Los Angeles[1]
- Ray Bradbury, Los Angeles
- Morojo, Los Angeles
- Pogo, Los Angeles
- Fancy Featherstone, Los Angeles
- Paul Freehafer, Pasadena, Cal.
- Russ Hodgkins, Los Angeles
- Donald Wollheim, New York City
- Robert Lowndes, New York City
- T. Bruce Yerke, Los Angeles
- Tom Shields, Los Angeles
- John Heaton, Brookville, Ont.
- Julius Unger, Brooklyn, NY
- Tom Houget, New York City
- Lloyd Esbach, Reading, Pa.
- Sam Brown, Los Angeles
- Ted Carnell, London
- R. D. Swisher, Winchester, Mass.
- Tom. Wright, Martinez, Cal.
- Henry Goldman, Pittsburg, Pa.
- Tom Hinmon, Iowa City, Iowa
- Hyman Tiger, New York City
- L. R. Chauvenet, Esmont, Va.
- Jack Speer, Washington DC
- Joe Fortier, Oakland, Cal,
- Joe Gilbert, Columbia, S.C.
- William Schrader, Los Angeles
- Abe Oshinsky, Brooklyn NY
- George Tullis, Chicago
- Ted Dikty, Fort Wayne, Indiana
- Jack Darrow, Chicago
- Bob Osterman, La Grange,. Ill .
- Ray Sienkiewicz, Scranton, Penna.
- Charles Hornig, Elizabeth, N.J.
- Milton Rothman, Washington DC
- Lee Gregor, Washington DC
- Vincent Manning, Decker, Indiana
- Maurice Paul, Decker, Indiana
- Marvis Manning, Decker, Indiana
- Claude Davis jr ., Decker, Indiana
- Earle Barr Hanson, Miami, Fla.
- Donn Brazier, Milwaukee,- Wisc.
- Bob Madle, Philadelphia, Pa.
- Jack Agnew, Philadelphia, Pa,
- Allan Moss, Rutherford, N. J.
- Lew Martin, Denver, Colorado
- Harry Schmarje-, Muscatine, Iowa
- Art Widner jr ., Bryantville, Mass.
- Melvin Schmidt, Mt. Vernon, Ind.
- H. C. Koenig, New York City
- Gertrude Kuslan, West Haven, Conn.
- Ron Holmes, Liverpool, England
- Emrys Evans, Mountain Home, Idaho
- Charles Hansen, Woodland, Wash.
- Fred Hurter jr ., Red Rock, Ont.
Guest Book[edit]
Chicon attendees, in the order registered in the Guest Book, (beware of pseudonyms)
- Bob Osterman, La Grange, Ill.
- Hyman Tiger, New York City
- Patti Grayson (no address)[27]
- Erle Korshak, Chicago
- Jack Speer, Washington DC
- Richard I. Meyer, Chicago
- Bob Tucker, Bloomington, Ill.
- Mark Reinsberg, Chicago
- William Hamling, Chicago
- Ted Dikty, Fort Wayne, Ind.
- Mrs. Richard Frank, State College, Penna
- Richard Frank - ditto
- Hazel Shull, Millheim, Penna.
- Jimmie Shull, Millheim, Penna.
- G. E. Sylvester, Chicago
- Ann Hafler, Chicago
- H. S. Greenburg, Chicago
- Milton Latzer, Chicago
- Glave S. Bunch, South Bend, Ind
- Thelma Bunch, South Bend, Ind
- Robt. Thompson, Manhasset, NY
- Morton Handler, Chicago
- Earl Bielfeldt, Thornton, Ill.
- Abe Oshinsky, Brooklyn, NY
- Marvis Manning, Decker, Indiana
- Mrs. M. Manning, ditto
- "Oscar" ditto
- Hugh Ryan, Chicago
- Jack Rock, Oak Park, Ill
- Donn Finn, ditto
- Milty Rothman, Washington DC
- Earl Singleton, Boston, Mass
- Jack Chapman Miske, Cleveland, O.
- Robert Madle, Philadelphia
- Gordon Brooks, Wabash, Indiana.
- Patil Freehafer, Pasadena, Cal.
- Edward E. Smith, Jackson, Mich.
- Walter Liebscher, Chicago
- Art Widner jr., Bryantville, Mass.
- Paul Klingbiel, West Bend, Ind.[28]
- Donn Brazier, Milwaukee, Wisc.
- Ross Rocklynne, Cincinnati, 0.
- Claude Degler, Newcastle, Ind.
- John Millard, Jackson, Mich.
- Richard Lewis, Oskaloosa, Pa.[29]
- C. Arthur Lewis - ditto –
- B. Siegel, Cleveland, Ohio
- Jerry Siegel, - ditto
- "Chuck" Wright, Chicago
- Chester S. Geier, Chicago
- (name unknown; accompanied Geir.)
- Russ Brunkhorst, Jeff.City, Mo.
- Dicken Connor, Lafayette, Ind.
- H. D. Josephson, Chicago
- Forrest J Ackerman, Los Angeles
- Johnny Michel, New York City
- Donald Wollhelm, New York City
- Elsie Balter, New York City
- Robert Lowndes, Brooklyn NY
- Cyril Kornbluth, New York City
- Maurice Paul, Decker, Indiana
- Ralph Milne Farley, Milwaukee W.
- Dale Tarr, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Lew Martin, Denver, Colo.
- A. R. Steber, Brooklyn, NY
- Ray Palmer, Milwaukee, Wisc.
- Wallace Quitman, Sheboygan, Wisc.
- Henry Gade, West Allis, Wisc.
- Morris J. Steele, Milwaukee
- Edwin Benson, West Bend, Wisc.
- Joe Angstrom, Cicero, Ill.
- Pogo, Los Angeles[30]
- Charles Tanner, Cincinnati, O
- Joseph Millard, Chicago
- Robt. Moore Williams, Chicago
- Louis Sampliner (Chicago ?? )
- Julian Krupa, Argo, Ill.
- Trudy.Kuslan, West Haven, Conn,
- David Wright O'Brien, Chicago
- Roger C. Slattery, Chicago
- Clarissa MacDougal Smith, Jackson, Mich.
- Mrs. E. E. Smith, - ditto –
- Mort Weisinger, New York City
- Julius Schwartz, New York City
- Ione Turk (or Turek ), Chicago
- Otto Binder, Chicago
- Don Wilcox, Chicago
- James Norman, Chicago
- William McGivern, Chicago
- Mrs. Ad Reinsberg, Chicago[31]
- Olon F. Wiggins, Denver, Colo.
- Morojo, Los Angeles
- Frederick Shroyer, Decatur, Ind
- George Tullis, Chicago
- Julius Unger, Brooklyn, NY
- E. E. Evans, Battle Creek, Mich.
- Elmer Perdue, Casper, Wyoming
- D. Baastuk (no address)
- Richard Banner, Chicago
- John Mickay, Chicago
- Salye Rolf, New York City
- Helen Weinbaum Kasson, NYC.
- David A. Kyle, Monticello, NY.
- Dick Wilson, New York City
- Clyde Condon, Chicago Heights
- Jack Gilliespie, New York City
- Chester Cohen, New York City
- Julius Simmons, Chicago
- Deborah Josephson, Chicago
- C. W. Norwood, Bloomington, Ill.
- Mrs. C. W. Norwood - ditto
- Doris Beller, Chicago
- Bertha Reinsberg, Chicago [32]
- Helena Reinsberg, Chicago [33]
- Mrs. Orvis Shull, Millheim, Pa,
- Dr. Thelma Shull, Evanston, Ill.
- Mrs. H. S. Greenberg, Chicago
- Anton Yolke, Calgary, Canada
- Mary Corrine Gray, Los Angeles[34]
- Donald Bern, Chicago
- Daniel Hansen (no address )
- J. L. K. Canazly, Chicago
- E. W. S---- ? ?, Oak Park, Ill.
- H. H. Stonebach, Chicago
- Mason Knobler, Chicago
- Louis Shipley, Villa Grove, Ill.
- Charles Demm, Coldwater, Mich.
There are eight known pseudonyms in the above list; it is anyone’s guess how many more there be.
(those who neglected to sign:)
- Constance Meyer, Chicago[35]
- Mr. David Meyer, Chicago
- Mrs. David Meyer, Chicago
- Billie Von Till (address ?? )
___
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Forrest J Ackerman registered under a slew of pseudonyms, including 4sJ, Erdstelulov, Jack Erman, Mirta Forsto, Claire Voyant and Weaver Wright.
- ↑ Probably another Forrynym.
- ↑ Also listed as Jack F Speer.
- ↑ Morojo and Forrest J Ackerman, also listed separately.
- ↑ This might be Lynn Hickman, who published a fanzine called Gooseberries.
- ↑ Also listed as Cyril Kornbluth and Ivar Towers.
- ↑ Probably another Forrynym.
- ↑ Also listed as Samson Delilah Gottesman and Ivar Towers.
- ↑ Also listed as Melvin Korshak.
- ↑ Also listed as Erle Korshak.
- ↑ Erle Korshak’s parents.
- ↑ Also listed as Mark Reinsberg.
- ↑ Also listed as Mirta Forsto.
- ↑ Was this old-time L.A. pro, a friend of Forry Ackerman’s, really a member or just another 4sJ pseudonym?
- ↑ Also listed as Bob Tucker.
- ↑ Also listed as Ray J. Sienkiewicz.
- ↑ Also listed as Midwest Marky.
- ↑ Also listed as Rajocz.
- ↑ Also listed as John A. Bristol.
- ↑ Cyril Kornbluth and Dick Wilson also listed separately.
- ↑ Also listed as Hoy Ping Pong.
- ↑ Also listed as Donald A. Wollheim.
- ↑ Also listed as Ivar Towers.
- ↑ Also listed as Braxton Wells.
- ↑ Forrest J Ackerman’s grandmother — was she really a member or did he use her name as yet another pseudonym?
- ↑ Typo for Normal, IL.
- ↑ Probably a pseudonym for Mary Corinne “Patti” Gray aka Pogo.
- ↑ Likely an error for West Bend, Wisconsin.
- ↑ Typo for Oskaloosa, Iowa.
- ↑ Also listed as Mary Corinne Gray.
- ↑ Mark Reinsberg’s mother, also listed as Bertha Reinsberg.
- ↑ Mark Reinsberg’s mother, also listed as Mrs. Ad Reinsberg.
- ↑ Misspelling of Helene Reinsberg — Mark Reinsberg’s sister.
- ↑ Also listed as Pogo.
- ↑ The Meyers were possibly related to concom member Richard Meyer.
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