View source for Chicon II Reminiscence (Eshbach)

[[1952]] -- [[TASFiC]] (Tenth Anniversary Science Fiction Convention), Chicago ([[Chicon II]])
by [[Lloyd Arthur Eshbach]]
from the [[Noreascon Three]] [[PB]]

Quoting from "''[[Over My Shoulder]]''": "Then there was Chicago -- [[Chicon II]] in [[1952]]. This was the first really big one, an estimated 1000 people in attendance. (Officially 870 were there.) By this time [[Fantasy Press]] had published more than 30 titles, most of which were still in print, so I recall having quite an impressive display. [[Hugo Gernsback]] was [[GoH]].

The days and nights sped by in a hectic whirl. Everybody and his brother and sister -- was there. "It was at [[Chicon II]] that [[Ted Sturgeon]] spoke to me about [[Fantasy Press]] possibly being interested in publishing a [[Sturgeon]] book; and I answered with a polite but negative, 'Let's see what you have to offer.' I never heard from him again -- which emphasizes my being well-equipped with stupidity." (I cringe when I think of this.)

It was at [[TASFiC]] that a typically fannish escapade occurred. Again I quote from "''[[Over My Shoulder]]''":  "By word of mouth news spread through the crowd of [[fans]] that there was a wedding reception at the convention hotel with an abundance of food and drink free for the taking. A number of [[fans]] slipped in unobtrusively and helped themselves to refreshments. I was one of the group but left almost immediately. (I'm naturally shy and retiring.) [[Dave Kyle]], who remained, was an observer of the incident which I am about to relate. "Among the party-crashers were [[Mel Korshak]] and [[Bill (William Lawrence) Hamling]], the latter an important [[fan]] in the late '30s, a professional [[SF]] writer in the '40s, associate editor of ''[[Amazing Stories]]'' under both [[Ray Palmer]] and [[Howard Browne]], and at the time the [[fannish]] incident occurred, publisher of his own professional magazine, ''[[Imagination]]''. While most of the party-crashers remained in the background, [[Korshak]] and [[Hamling]], perhaps aided by the free champagne, became a bit boisterous. "Quietly, they were informed that this was a private party, and would they please leave? [[Korshak]] replied with a question -- which side (bride's or groom's) was he on. When he answered "groom's", [[Korshak]] responded that they were the bride's guests! There are differing opinions concerning the effectiveness of this stratagem; but apparently it was successful, since [[Korshak]] and [[Hamling]] and the latter's wife Frances returned to the party a bit later in the evening! [[Korshak]] recalls having several delightful waltzes with the bride."

The presence of [[Hugo Gernsback]] as [[GoH]] deserves more than the passing reference made in the opening paragraph. The man who literally started the whole [[Science Fiction]] scene with ''[[Amazing Stories]]'' back in 1926 received the recognition and honor he so richly deserved; and he appeared to enjoy every moment of it. He had had his [[GoH]] speech reproduced in quantity in advance of the convention so that everyone present could receive a copy.

Celebrities were there and participating in unbelievable numbers. An Editors' Panel was made up of the following: [[Anthony Boucher]], ''[[Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction]]''; [[Howard Browne]], ''[[Amazing Stories]]''; [[John W. Campbell, Jr.]], ''[[Astounding Science Fiction]]''; [[Lester del Rey]], ''[[Space Science Fiction]]''; [[Evelyn Gold]], ''[[Galaxy Science Fiction]]''; [[William L. Hamling]], ''[[Imagination]]''; [[Samuel Mines]], ''[[Thrilling Wonder Stories]]''; [[Raymond A. Palmer]], ''[[Other Worlds]]''; [[James Quinn]], ''[[If]]''. There was a panel made up of the Specialist Book Publishers: [[August Derleth]], [[Arkham House]]; [[Lloyd Eshbach]], [[Fantasy Press]]; [[Marty Greenberg]], [[Gnome Press]]; [[Melvin Korshak]], [[Shasta Publishers]]; [[David A. Kyle]], [[Bouregy & Curl]]; [[James A. Williams]], [[Prime Press]]. Others with solo spots on the program (in no particular order): [[William F. Jenkins]] ([[Murray Leinster]]); [[L. Sprague de Camp]]; [[E. E. "Doc" Smith]]; [[Harlan Ellison]]; [[E. Everett Evans]]; [[Hans Santesson]]; [[Robert Bloch]]; [[Wilson "Bob" Tucker]]; [[Ted Sturgeon]]; [[Willy Ley]]; and many other writers and [[Big Name Fans]] who were not on the very full program.

It was some convention! Big enough to be exciting, and small enough for you to meet and talk to everyone.

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