Difference between revisions of "Chicon"

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The 1940 [[Worldcon]], and [[Chicago Worldcons|first in Chicago]], '''Chicon''' was held in the Hotel Chicagoan in [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]], September 1–2, 1940. The [[GoH]] was [[E. E. "Doc" Smith]].
+
[[File:ChiconArt.jpeg|frameless|center|upright=2.6]]
 +
<center><small>Chicon [[Program Book]] heading by [[Dick Calkins]], featuring [[Buck Rogers]] [[scientificomics]] characters, courtesy of the John F. Dille Co., a [[Chicago]]-based newspaper syndicate.</small></center>
  
−
The custom of [[nicknaming]] [[Worldcons]] was still not settled; [[Forry Ackerman]] [[nicknamed]] this one. The [[1940 Worldcon Site Selection]] that chose [[Chicago]] took place at [[Philcon 1939]], not at the [[First Worldcon]].
 
  
−
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. [[Sully Roberds]] did publications. Korshak presided over the opening day of the con, when Reinsberg fell ill.   
+
The second [[Worldcon]], and first [[Chicago Worldcons|in Chicago]], '''Chicon''' was held in the Hotel Chicagoan in [[Chicago, IL]], September 1–2, 1940. The [[GoH]] was [[E. E. "Doc" Smith]].   
  
−
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.  
+
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 may have been  the place where [[Claude Degler]] made his first public appearance at a [[fannish]] event, unless it was the [[Denvention]].  
+
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.
  
−
The first [[masquerade]] took place at the Chicon.  
+
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.  
  
−
[[Denver in 1941]] won the right to host the 1941 [[Worldcon]] over a [[New York in 1941]] bid.  See [[1941 Worldcon Site Selection]].
+
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.
  
 
* [[Chicon I Reminiscence (Ackerman)]].
 
* [[Chicon I Reminiscence (Ackerman)]].
 
* {{conpubs|series=Worldcon|con=Chicon I}}.
 
* {{conpubs|series=Worldcon|con=Chicon I}}.
−
* [[Chicon I Program]].
+
* ''[[1940 Chicon Scrapbook and Everyfan's Guide]]''.
 +
* [https://fanac.org/conpubs/Worldcon/Chicon%20I/Tau%20Ceti%20Reprints%20no.%202%20re-recognized.pdf The Time Machine: Chicon.]
  
 
{{fancy2|text=
 
{{fancy2|text=
−
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 '''[[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 [[Mark Reinsberg|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 [[Jack Speer|Speer]] and [[Milt Rothman|Rothman]] led to institution of the [[Costume Party]] at this con; [[Dave Kyle]] won it as [[Ming the Merciless]].
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
{{fancy1|text=
 
{{fancy1|text=
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([[Ackerman]]) - The [[Chicago]] 1940 [[World Science-Fiction Convention]]  
+
([[4E|Ackerman]]) - The [[Chicago]] 1940 [[World Science-Fiction Convention]]  
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
 
 +
=[[Program]]=
 +
[[File:WessoAd.jpeg|thumb|upright=1.5|Ad for ''[[TWS]], [[Startling Stories]]'' and ''[[Captain Future]]'' featuring [[Hans Wesso]] [[art]] from the Chicon [[program book]]. ]]
 +
 
 +
===SUNDAY, SEPT. 1===
 +
 
 +
* 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 Book]]let.
 +
## 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 [[Science Fantasy|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 [[masquerade|costume party]].
 +
 
 +
* EVENING SESSION: 8:00 P.M. to Midnight.
 +
# The Science Fiction [[Masquerade]] Party: [[Jack Speer|Speer]] & [[Milt Rothman|Rothman]], co-Masters of Ceremony.
 +
# The Science Fiction [[Auction]]: [[Erle Korshak]], Auctioneer.
 +
# Adjournment to Monday Sept. 2nd.
 +
 
 +
===MONDAY, SEPT. 2nd.===
 +
* 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]]---[[E. E. Smith|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 =
 +
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=
 +
 
 +
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.
 +
 
 +
<div style="column-count:3;-moz-column-count:3;-webkit-column-count:3">
 +
*[[4sJ]]<ref name="4E">[[Forrest J Ackerman]] registered under a slew of pseudonyms, including [[4sJ]], [[Erdstelulov]], [[Jack Erman]], [[Mirta Forsto]], [[Claire Voyant]] and [[Weaver Wright]].</ref>
 +
*[[Forrest J Ackerman]]<ref name="4E"></ref>
 +
*Alaska, the Gnome
 +
*[[Lupe Amador]]<ref>Probably another [[4sJ|Forrynym]].</ref>
 +
*[[Arthur K. Barnes]]
 +
*[[Ray Bradbury]]
 +
*[[Franklyn Brady|Franklyn “Technocrat” Brady]]
 +
*[[Juan Alpiedio Brazzaro]]
 +
*[[John A. Bristol]]<ref>Also listed as [[Jack F Speer]].</ref>
 +
*[[Phil Bronson]]
 +
*[[Beverly Browne]]
 +
*[[Jaime Alveras Cardenas]]
 +
*[[Ted Carnell]]
 +
*[[Chester Cohen]]
 +
*[[Chantelle Covington]]
 +
*[[Bill Crawford]]
 +
*[[Walt Daugherty]]
 +
*[[Ted Dikty]]
 +
*[[Phil Douglas]]
 +
*[[Erdstelulov]]<ref name="4E"></ref>
 +
*[[Jack Erman]]<ref name="4E"></ref>
 +
*[[Emrys Evans]]
 +
*[[Mirta Forsto]]<ref>[[Morojo]] and [[Forrest J Ackerman]], also listed separately.</ref>
 +
*[[Joe Fortier]]
 +
*[[Paul Freehafer]]
 +
*[[Georges H. Gallet]]
 +
*[[Joe Gilbert]]
 +
*[[Jack Gillespie]]
 +
*[[Henry D. Goldman]]
 +
*Prof. Gooseberry<ref>This ''might'' be [[Lynn Hickman]], who [[published]] a [[fanzine]] called ''[[Gooseberries]]''.</ref>
 +
*[[Samuel D. Gottesman|Samson Delilah Gottesman]]<ref>Also listed as [[Cyril Kornbluth]] and [[Ivar Towers]].</ref>
 +
*[[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]]<ref>Probably another [[4sJ|Forrynym]].</ref>
 +
*[[H. C. Koenig]]
 +
*[[Cyril Kornbluth]]<ref>Also listed as [[Samuel D. Gottesman|Samson Delilah Gottesman]] and [[Ivar Towers]].</ref>
 +
*[[Erle Korshak]]<ref>Also listed as [[Melvin Korshak]].</ref>
 +
*[[Melvin Korshak]]<ref>Also listed as [[Erle Korshak]].</ref>
 +
*Mr. and Mrs. [[Sam Korshak]]<ref>[[Erle Korshak]]’s parents. </ref>
 +
*[[Gertrude Kuslan]]
 +
*[[Louis Kuslan]]
 +
*[[Bob Madle]]
 +
*[[MSA|Maine Scientifiction Assn.]]
 +
*[[Marvis Manning]]
 +
*[[Vincent Manning]]
 +
*[[Lew Martin]]
 +
*[[Gerald W. Meader]]
 +
*[[Jean Mehegan]]
 +
*[[Richard I. Meyer]]
 +
*[[John B. Michel]]
 +
*[[Midwest Marky]]<ref>Also listed as [[Mark Reinsberg]].</ref>
 +
*[[Morojo]]<ref>Also listed as [[Mirta Forsto]].</ref>
 +
*[[Sam Moskowitz]]
 +
*[[Allen Moss]]
 +
*Benito Mussolini
 +
*[[Eleanor O'Brien]]
 +
*[[Bob Olsen]]<ref>Was this old-time [[L.A.]] [[pro]], a friend of [[Forry Ackerman]]’s, really a member or just another [[4sJ]] [[pseudonym]]?</ref>
 +
*[[Maurice Paul]]
 +
*[[Jo Perew]]
 +
*[[Leslie Perri]]
 +
*[[Pogo (CA)]]
 +
*[[Hoy Ping Pong]]<ref>Also listed as [[Bob Tucker]].</ref>
 +
*[[Mario Racic, Jr.]]
 +
*[[Rajocz]]<ref>Also listed as [[Ray J. Sienkiewicz]].</ref>
 +
*[[M. Rebeque]]
 +
*[[Mark Reinsberg]]<ref>Also listed as [[Midwest Marky]].</ref>
 +
*[[Ron Reynolds]]
 +
*[[Sully Roberds]]
 +
*[[Jack Robins]]
 +
*[[R. Royal]]
 +
*[[Lou Sampliner]]
 +
*[[Dorothy Sanford]]
 +
*[[Ray J. Sienkiewicz]]<ref>Also listed as [[Rajocz]].</ref>
 +
*[[William Sisson]]
 +
*[[Jack F Speer]]<ref>Also listed as [[John A. Bristol]].</ref>
 +
*Joseph Stalin
 +
*[[D. B. Thompson]]
 +
*[[Hyman Tiger]]
 +
*[[Ivar Towers]]<ref>[[Cyril Kornbluth]] and [[Dick Wilson]] also listed separately.</ref>
 +
*[[Bob Tucker]]<ref>Also listed as [[Hoy Ping Pong]].</ref>
 +
*[[Jim Tucker, Jr.]]
 +
*[[George Tullis]]
 +
*[[Mary Ellen Tyrrell]]
 +
*[[Sophia van Doorn|Sophia Van Doorne]]
 +
*[[Vodoso]]
 +
*[[Claire Voyant]]<ref name="4E"></ref>
 +
*[[John Wasso, Jr.]]
 +
*[[Braxton Wells]]<ref>Also listed as [[Donald A. Wollheim]].</ref>
 +
*[[Art Widner, Jr.]]
 +
*[[Jack Williamson]]
 +
*[[Dick Wilson]]<ref>Also listed as [[Ivar Towers]].</ref>
 +
*[[Eva Wolff]]
 +
*[[Donald A. Wollheim]]<ref>Also listed as [[Braxton Wells]].</ref>
 +
*[[Tom Wright]]
 +
*[[Weaver Wright]]<ref name="4E"></ref>
 +
*[[Dirk Wylie]]
 +
*[[Belle Wyman]]<ref>[[Forrest J Ackerman]]’s grandmother — was she really a member or did he use her name as yet another [[pseudonym]]?</ref>
 +
*[[Bruce Yerke]]
 +
*[[Anton Yoike]]
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
 
 +
==Other Lists==
 +
In 1965, [[Bob Tucker]] did a [https://fanac.org/conpubs/Worldcon/Chicon%20I/Tau%20Ceti%20Reprints%20no.%202%20re-recognized.pdf retrospective on the Chicon] which included an analysis of the membership records.
 +
 
 +
=== Illini Fantasy Fictioneers===
 +
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 Conference]]s.)
 +
 
 +
{{fancy1|text=
 +
'''IFF''' – The '''Illini Fantasy Fictioneers''', formed by [[Mark Reinsberg|Reinsberg]], [[Bob Tucker|Tucker]], ''et al'', as the [[publicity]] [[organization]] for [[the Chicon]]; afterwards continued as a state [[organization]], finally joining the [[Mid-West Fantasy Fan Federation]].
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
{{convention | series=Worldcon | year=1940 | before=Nycon I | after=Denvention I}}
+
'''Members of the Illini Fantasy Fictioneers, 1939–40 (in order of registration)
 +
<div style="column-count:2;-moz-column-count:2;-webkit-column-count:2">
 +
* [[Bob Tucker]], [[Bloomington, IL|Bloomington, Ill]]
 +
* [[Richard I. Meyer]], [[Chicago]]
 +
* [[Mark Reinsberg]], Chicago
 +
* [[Erle Korshak]], Chicago
 +
* [[Sully Roberds]], Formal, Ill<ref>[[Typo]] for [[Bloomington, IL|Normal, IL]].</ref>
 +
* [[Forrest J Ackerman]], [[Los Angeles]]<ref name="4E"></ref>
 +
* [[Ray Bradbury]], Los Angeles
 +
* [[Morojo]], Los Angeles
 +
* [[Pogo (CA)]], Los Angeles
 +
* [[Nancy Featherstone|Fancy Featherstone]], Los Angeles
 +
* [[Paul Freehafer]], [[Pasadena, CA|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, [[Ontario|Ont]].
 +
* [[Julius Unger]], [[Brooklyn, NY]]
 +
* [[Tom Houget]], New York City
 +
* [[Lloyd Eshbach|Lloyd Esbach]], [[Reading, PA|Reading, Pa]].
 +
* [[Sam Brown]], Los Angeles
 +
* [[Ted Carnell]], [[London]]
 +
* [[R. D. Swisher]], [[Boston|Winchester, Mass]].
 +
* [[Tom Wright|Tom. Wright]], [[BArea|Martinez, Cal]].
 +
* [[Henry Goldman]], [[Pittsburgh, PA|Pittsburg, Pa]].
 +
* [[Tom Hinmon]], [[Iowa City, IA|Iowa City, Iowa]]
 +
* [[Hyman Tiger]], New York City
 +
* [[L. R. Chauvenet]], Esmont, [[Virginia|Va]].
 +
* [[Jack Speer]], [[Washington, DC|Washington DC]]
 +
* [[Joe Fortier]], [[Oakland, CA|Oakland, Cal]],
 +
* [[Joe Gilbert]], [[Columbia, SC|Columbia, S.C.]]
 +
* [[William Schrader]], Los Angeles
 +
* [[Abe Oshinsky]], Brooklyn NY
 +
* [[George Tullis]], Chicago
 +
* [[Ted Dikty]], [[Fort Wayne, IN|Fort Wayne, Indiana]]
 +
* [[Jack Darrow]], Chicago
 +
* [[Bob Osterman]], [[Chicago|La Grange,. Ill ]].
 +
* [[Ray Sienkiewicz]], [[Scranton, PA|Scranton, Penna]].
 +
* [[Charles Hornig]], [[New York|Elizabeth, N.J.]]
 +
* [[Milton Rothman]], Washington DC
 +
* [[Lee Gregor]], Washington DC
 +
* [[Vincent Manning]], [[Decker, IN|Decker, Indiana]]
 +
* [[Maurice Paul]], Decker, Indiana
 +
* [[Marvis Manning]], Decker, Indiana
 +
* [[Claude Davis|Claude Davis jr .]], Decker, Indiana
 +
* [[Earle Barr Hanson]], [[Miami, FL|Miami, Fla]].
 +
* [[Donn Brazier]], [[Milwaukee, WI|Milwaukee,- Wisc]].
 +
* [[Bob Madle]], [[Philadelphia, PA|Philadelphia, Pa]].
 +
* [[Jack Agnew]], Philadelphia, Pa,
 +
* [[Allan Moss]], [[New York|Rutherford, N. J.]]
 +
* [[Lew Martin]], [[Denver, CO|Denver, Colorado]]
 +
* [[Harry Schmarje]]-, Muscatine, [[Iowa]]
 +
* [[Art Widner|Art Widner jr .]], Bryantville, [[Massachusetts|Mass]].
 +
* [[Melvin Schmidt]], Mt. Vernon, [[Indiana|Ind]].
 +
* [[H. C. Koenig]], New York City
 +
* [[Gertrude Kuslan]], West Haven, [[Connecticut|Conn]].
 +
* [[Ron Holmes]], [[Liverpool]], [[England]]
 +
* [[Emrys Evans]], Mountain Home, [[Idaho]]
 +
* [[Charles Hansen]], Woodland, [[Washington State|Wash]].
 +
* [[Fred Hurter|Fred Hurter jr .]], Red Rock, [[Ontario|Ont]].
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
===Guest Book===
 +
Chicon attendees, in the order registered in the Guest Book, (beware of pseudonyms)
 +
 
 +
<div style="column-count:2;-moz-column-count:2;-webkit-column-count:2">
 +
* [[Bob Osterman]], [[Chicago|La Grange, Ill]].
 +
* [[Hyman Tiger]], [[New York City]]
 +
* [[Patti Grayson]] (no address)<ref>Probably a [[pseudonym]] for [[Pogo (CA)|Mary Corinne “Patti” Gray]] aka [[Pogo (CA)]].</ref>
 +
* [[Erle Korshak]], [[Chicago]]
 +
* [[Jack Speer]], [[Washington, DC|Washington DC]]
 +
* [[Richard I. Meyer]], Chicago
 +
* [[Bob Tucker]], [[Bloomington, IL|Bloomington, Ill]].
 +
* [[Mark Reinsberg]], Chicago
 +
* [[William Hamling]], Chicago
 +
* [[Ted Dikty]], [[Fort Wayne, IN|Fort Wayne, Ind]].
 +
* [[Ruth Frank|Mrs. Richard Frank]], State College, [[Pennsylvania|Penna]]
 +
* [[Richard Frank]] - ditto
 +
* [[Hazel Shull]], Millheim, [[Pennsylvania|Penna]].
 +
* [[Jimmie Shull]], Millheim, Penna.
 +
* [[G. E. Sylvester]], Chicago
 +
* [[Ann Hafler]], Chicago
 +
* [[H. S. Greenburg]], Chicago
 +
* [[Milton Latzer]], Chicago
 +
* [[Glave S. Bunch]], South Bend, [[Indiana|Ind]]
 +
* [[Thelma Bunch]], South Bend, Ind
 +
* [[Robert Thompson|Robt. Thompson]], [[NYC|Manhasset, NY]]
 +
* [[Morton Handler]], Chicago
 +
* [[Earl Bielfeldt]], Thornton, [[Illinois|Ill]].
 +
* [[Abe Oshinsky]], [[Brooklyn, NY]]
 +
* [[Marvis Manning]], [[Decker, IN|Decker, Indiana]]
 +
* [[Faye Manning|Mrs. M. Manning]], ditto
 +
* "[[Decker Dillies|Oscar]]" ditto
 +
* [[Hugh Ryan]], Chicago
 +
* [[Jack Rock]], [[Chicago|Oak Park, Ill]]
 +
* [[Donn Finn]], ditto
 +
* [[Milty Rothman]], Washington DC
 +
* [[Earl Singleton]], [[Boston, MA|Boston, Mass]]
 +
* [[Jack Chapman Miske]], [[Cleveland, OH|Cleveland, O]].
 +
* [[Robert Madle]], [[Philadelphia]]
 +
* [[Gordon Brooks]], Wabash, [[Indiana]].
 +
* [[Paul Freehafer|Patil Freehafer]], [[LA|Pasadena, Cal]].
 +
* [[Edward E. Smith]], [[Jackson, MI|Jackson, Mich]].
 +
* [[Walter Liebscher]], Chicago
 +
* [[Art Widner|Art Widner jr.]], Bryantville, [[Massachusetts|Mass]].
 +
* [[Paul Klingbiel]], West Bend, Ind.<ref>Likely an error for [[Milwaukee, WI|West Bend, Wisconsin]].</ref>
 +
* [[Donn Brazier]], [[Milwaukee, WI|Milwaukee, Wisc]].
 +
* [[Ross Rocklynne]], [[Cincinnati, OH|Cincinnati, 0]].
 +
* [[Claude Degler]], [[Newcastle, IN|Newcastle, Ind]].
 +
* [[John Millard]], Jackson, Mich.
 +
* [[Richard Lewis]], Oskaloosa, Pa.<ref>Typo for Oskaloosa, [[Iowa]].</ref>
 +
* [[C. Arthur Lewis]] - ditto –
 +
* [[Bella Siegel|B. Siegel]], Cleveland, Ohio
 +
* [[Jerry Siegel]], - ditto
 +
* [[Chuck Wright|"Chuck" Wright]], Chicago
 +
* [[Chester S. Geier]], Chicago
 +
* (name unknown; accompanied Geir.)
 +
* [[Russ Brunkhorst]], Jeff.City, [[Missouri|Mo]].
 +
* [[Dicken Connor]], Lafayette, [[Indiana|Ind]].
 +
* [[H. D. Josephson]], Chicago
 +
* [[Forrest J Ackerman]], Los Angeles
 +
* [[Johnny Michel]], New York City
 +
* [[Donald Wollheim|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, CO|Denver, Colo]].
 +
* [[A. R. Steber]], Brooklyn, NY
 +
* [[Ray Palmer]], Milwaukee, Wisc.
 +
* [[Wallace Quitman]], Sheboygan, [[Wisconsin|Wisc]].
 +
* [[Henry Gade]], [[Milwaukee, WI|West Allis, Wisc]].
 +
* [[Morris J. Steele]], Milwaukee
 +
* [[Edwin Benson]], [[Milwaukee, WI|West Bend, Wisc]].
 +
* [[Joe Angstrom]], [[Chicago, IL|Cicero, Ill]].
 +
* [[Pogo (CA)]], Los Angeles<ref>Also listed as [[Mary Corinne Gray]].</ref>
 +
* [[Charles Tanner]], Cincinnati, O
 +
* [[Joseph Millard]], Chicago
 +
* [[Robert Moore Williams|Robt. Moore Williams]], Chicago
 +
* [[Louis Sampliner]] (Chicago ?? )
 +
* [[Julian Krupa]], [[Chicago|Argo, Ill]].
 +
* [[Trudy Kuslan|Trudy.Kuslan]], West Haven, [[Connecticut|Conn]],
 +
* [[David Wright O'Brien]], Chicago
 +
* [[Roger C. Slattery]], Chicago
 +
* [[Clarrissa Smith|Clarissa MacDougal Smith]], [[Jackson, MI|Jackson, Mich]].
 +
* [[Jeannie Smith|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
 +
* [[Mark Reinsberg|Mrs. Ad Reinsberg]], Chicago<ref>[[Mark Reinsberg]]’s mother, also listed as [[Bertha Reinsberg]].</ref>
 +
* [[Olon F. Wiggins]], Denver, Colo.
 +
* [[Morojo]], Los Angeles
 +
* [[Frederick Shroyer]], Decatur, [[Indiana|Ind]]
 +
* [[George Tullis]], Chicago
 +
* [[Julius Unger]], Brooklyn, NY
 +
* [[E. E. Evans]], [[Battle Creek, MI|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|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 <ref>[[Mark Reinsberg]]’s mother, also listed as Mrs. Ad Reinsberg.</ref>
 +
* [[Helene Reinsberg|Helena Reinsberg]], Chicago <ref>Misspelling of [[Helene Reinsberg]] &mdash; [[Mark Reinsberg]]’s sister.</ref>
 +
* [[Sara M. Shull|Mrs. Orvis Shull]], Millheim, Pa,
 +
* Dr. [[Thelma Shull]], [[Chicago|Evanston, Ill]].
 +
* [[Mrs. H. S. Greenberg]], Chicago
 +
* [[Anton Yolke]], [[Calgary, AB|Calgary]], [[Canada]]
 +
* [[Mary Corrine Gray]], Los Angeles<ref>Also listed as [[Pogo (CA)]].</ref>
 +
* [[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]], [[Champaign, IL|Villa Grove, Ill]].
 +
* [[Charles Demm]], Coldwater, [[Michigan|Mich]].
 +
</div>
 +
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<ref>The Meyers were possibly related to concom member [[Richard Meyer]].</ref>
 +
* Mr. [[David Meyer]], Chicago
 +
* [[Mrs. David Meyer]], Chicago
 +
* [[Billie Von Till]] (address ?? )
 +
 
 +
___<br>
 +
<references />
 +
 
 +
 
 +
{{convention | series=Worldcon | year=1940 | before=Nycon| after=Denvention|series1=Chicago Worldcons|after1=Chicon II|locale=Chicago, IL}}
 
[[Category:fancy1]]
 
[[Category:fancy1]]
 
[[Category:US]]
 
[[Category:US]]
 
[[Category:worldcon]]
 
[[Category:worldcon]]
 
[[Category:fancy2]]
 
[[Category:fancy2]]

Latest revision as of 02:34, 7 February 2024

ChiconArt.jpeg
Chicon Program Book heading by Dick Calkins, featuring Buck Rogers scientificomics characters, courtesy of the John F. Dille Co., a Chicago-based newspaper syndicate.


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.

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


Program[edit]

Ad for TWS, Startling Stories and Captain Future featuring Hans Wesso art from the Chicon program book.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 1[edit]

  • MORNING SESSION: 10:00 A.M to 12:00 Noon.
  1. Informal gathering at Convention Hall.
  2. Acceptance of Resolutions Petitions.
  3. Sale of Official Convention Fan Publications
  4. Luncheon Recess.
  • AFTERNOON SESSION: 1:00 to 6:00 P.M.
  1. Registration in Foyer
    1. Sale of Chicon Program Booklet.
    2. Distribution of Chicon souvenirs.
  2. Formal Opening of Chicon by Temporary Chairman.
  3. Address of Welcome, by Bob Tucker.
  4. Report of the Program Committee: Richard I. Meyer, Chairman.
  5. Installment of Mark Reinsberg as Permanent Chairman.
  6. "One Year of Fan Progress," by Mark Reinsberg.
  7. Report of the Resolutions Committee: Erle Korshak, Chairman.
  8. "What Does This Convention Mean?" by E. E. Smith, Ph. D.
  9. Motion Picture-Premier Showing of Monsters of the Moon, a scientific fantasy of the future. Introductory remarks by Forrest J Ackerman.
  10. Recess for Refreshments (30 minutes).
  11. "What Science Fiction Really Is," Raymond A. Palmer.
  12. This is Fandom! Introductions of:
    1. The Convention Committee.
    2. The Fans and Pros of Chicago: the Nation.
  13. Supper Recess-preparation for costume party.
  • EVENING SESSION: 8:00 P.M. to Midnight.
  1. The Science Fiction Masquerade Party: Speer & Rothman, co-Masters of Ceremony.
  2. The Science Fiction Auction: Erle Korshak, Auctioneer.
  3. Adjournment to Monday Sept. 2nd.

MONDAY, SEPT. 2nd.[edit]

  • MORNING SESSION: 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 Noon. (Closed)
  1. Business Meeting of the Illini Fantasy Fictioneers-IFF members only.
  • AFTERNOON SESSION: 1:00 to 6:00 P.M.
  1. Call to order
  2. Reading of the Minutes of previous day: George Tullis, Recording Secretary.
  3. Director's Report on the IFF.
  4. Report of the Resolutions Committee.
  5. Individual presentation of proposed Resolutions by sponsors.
    1. Individual debate.
    2. Assembly votes for or against adoption of individual proposed Resolutions in Chicon Platform.
  6. Reading of Chicon Platform for Fandom.
  7. New or unfinished business.
  8. Dinner Recess.
  • EVENING SESSION: 8:00 P.M. to Midnight.
  1. 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.
  2. After dinner talks and general discussion.
  3. Final adjournment and --Farewell.
  • SPECIAL EVENTS (Tuesday, Sept 3rd).
  1. The Science Fiction Softball Game. Two select All-Fan Teams battle for the Championship.
  2. General Open House. Chicago fans "fling wide the portals" of their homes for visiting fans.
  3. 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.


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)

Guest Book[edit]

Chicon attendees, in the order registered in the Guest Book, (beware of pseudonyms)

There are eight known pseudonyms in the above list; it is anyone’s guess how many more there be.


(those who neglected to sign:)

___

  1. ↑ 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.
  2. ↑ Probably another Forrynym.
  3. ↑ Also listed as Jack F Speer.
  4. ↑ Morojo and Forrest J Ackerman, also listed separately.
  5. ↑ This might be Lynn Hickman, who published a fanzine called Gooseberries.
  6. ↑ Also listed as Cyril Kornbluth and Ivar Towers.
  7. ↑ Probably another Forrynym.
  8. ↑ Also listed as Samson Delilah Gottesman and Ivar Towers.
  9. ↑ Also listed as Melvin Korshak.
  10. ↑ Also listed as Erle Korshak.
  11. ↑ Erle Korshak’s parents.
  12. ↑ Also listed as Mark Reinsberg.
  13. ↑ Also listed as Mirta Forsto.
  14. ↑ Was this old-time L.A. pro, a friend of Forry Ackerman’s, really a member or just another 4sJ pseudonym?
  15. ↑ Also listed as Bob Tucker.
  16. ↑ Also listed as Ray J. Sienkiewicz.
  17. ↑ Also listed as Midwest Marky.
  18. ↑ Also listed as Rajocz.
  19. ↑ Also listed as John A. Bristol.
  20. ↑ Cyril Kornbluth and Dick Wilson also listed separately.
  21. ↑ Also listed as Hoy Ping Pong.
  22. ↑ Also listed as Donald A. Wollheim.
  23. ↑ Also listed as Ivar Towers.
  24. ↑ Also listed as Braxton Wells.
  25. ↑ Forrest J Ackerman’s grandmother — was she really a member or did he use her name as yet another pseudonym?
  26. ↑ Typo for Normal, IL.
  27. ↑ Probably a pseudonym for Mary Corinne “Patti” Gray aka Pogo.
  28. ↑ Likely an error for West Bend, Wisconsin.
  29. ↑ Typo for Oskaloosa, Iowa.
  30. ↑ Also listed as Mary Corinne Gray.
  31. ↑ Mark Reinsberg’s mother, also listed as Bertha Reinsberg.
  32. ↑ Mark Reinsberg’s mother, also listed as Mrs. Ad Reinsberg.
  33. ↑ Misspelling of Helene Reinsberg — Mark Reinsberg’s sister.
  34. ↑ Also listed as Pogo.
  35. ↑ The Meyers were possibly related to concom member Richard Meyer.


Nycon Worldcon - Bidding - Hugos Denvention
first Chicago Worldcons Chicon II
1940
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