Difference between revisions of "Nycon"

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The First [[Worldcon]], held Sunday, July 2–Tuesday, July 4, 1939, at [[Caravan Hall]] in [[New York]]. [[GoH]]: [[Frank R. Paul]]. [[Chairman]]: [[Sam Moskowitz]].
+
[[File:NyconArt.jpeg|frameless|center|upright=2.6]]
 +
<center><small>Nycon [[Program Book]] heading by [[Frank R. Paul]], courtesy of ''[[Thrilling Wonder Stories]]''.</small></center>
  
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The 1939 Worldcon simply called itself the "World Science Fiction Convention". It has subsequently been called "'''Nycon I'''" (a [[nickname]] initially tagged on it by detractors) and "The 1939 Worldcon".
 
  
−
The [[convention]] was controlled by a so-called 'Ruling [[Triumvirate]]' of Moskowitz, [[William S. Sykora]] and [[James V. Taurasi]].  In the [[Exclusion Act]] (which see), they attempted to keep some members of the [[Futurians]] from attending after a long history of [[feuding]] between the [[club]] and the [[concom]], exacerbated when [[Dave Kyle]] (who wasn’t banned) anonymously created ''[[A Warning!]]'', a somewhat incendiary pamphlet. He had hidden the copies, but the [[Triumvirs]] found it.  
+
[[File:FirstWorldconCard.jpeg|thumb|'''Cardboard placard displayed in [[New York City]] just before Nycon. Printed by [[Conrad H. Ruppert]], a fan of the 1930s noted for the excellence of his publications'''.]]
 +
'''Nycon''', the First [[Worldcon]], was held Sunday, July 2–Tuesday, July 4, 1939, at [[Caravan Hall]] in [[New York]]. [[GoH]]: [[Frank R. Paul]]. [[Chairman]]: [[Sam Moskowitz]].
 +
 
 +
The organizers of the 1939 Worldcon simply called it the "'''World Science Fiction Convention'''." It was subsequently called "'''Nycon'''" (a [[nickname]] [[Forry Ackerman]] claimed to have coined) and "The 1939 Worldcon." "'''Fifth Eastern'''" was tagged on it by detractors. About 200 [[fans]] attended.
 +
 
 +
The [[convention]] was controlled by a so-called 'Ruling [[Triumvirate]]' of Moskowitz, [[William S. Sykora]] and [[James V. Taurasi]].  In the [[Exclusion Act]] (which see), they kept some members of the [[Futurians]] from attending after a long history of [[feuding]] between the [[club]] and the [[concom]], exacerbated when [[Dave Kyle]] (who wasn’t banned) anonymously created ''[[A Warning!]]'', a somewhat incendiary [[pamflet]]. He had hidden the copies, but the [[Triumvirs]] found it.  
  
 
One event held at the First Worldcon did ''not'' become a [[Tradition]]: A [[Softball Game|softball game]].
 
One event held at the First Worldcon did ''not'' become a [[Tradition]]: A [[Softball Game|softball game]].
  
 
NYCon did not select a site for the next [[Worldcon]] &mdash; it had not occurred to the NYCon [[committee]] that it could possibly be an annual event.  But [[fandom]] loved it, and a few months later, at [[Philcon 1939]], the [[fans]] present voted to hold another Worldcon in 1940 in [[Chicago]].  See [[1940 Worldcon Site Selection]].
 
NYCon did not select a site for the next [[Worldcon]] &mdash; it had not occurred to the NYCon [[committee]] that it could possibly be an annual event.  But [[fandom]] loved it, and a few months later, at [[Philcon 1939]], the [[fans]] present voted to hold another Worldcon in 1940 in [[Chicago]].  See [[1940 Worldcon Site Selection]].
 +
 +
The convention drew [https://web.archive.org/web/20080906184034/https://time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,761661-1,00.html disdainful coverage] from ''Time'' magazine, whose uncredited reporter called the teenaged [[fen]] the “jitterbugs of the [[pulp]] magazine field,” and made “[[goshwowoboyoboy]]” a [[fannish]] [[catchphrase]].
 +
 +
See also [[New York Worldcons]] and [[Early Conventions]].
 +
  
 
==Members==
 
==Members==
 +
 +
[[File:1939ConeyCar.jpeg|frame|center| '''During the [[first Worldcon]], [[fans]] took the opportunity to visit Coney Island, where this [[foto]]-op took place. '''''Front, from left:''''' [[Mark Reinsberg]], [[Jack Agnew]], [[Ross Rocklynne]].''' ''Rear:'' '''[[V. Kidwell]], [[Robert A. Madle]], [[Erle Korshak]], [[Ray Bradbury]], July 4, 1939.''' ''Courtesy of Robert Madle.'']]
 +
 +
 
It is difficult these days when there are fans of all ages to appreciate how ''young'' fandom was in 1939.  Here is a table of ages of major figures during the First Worldcon:
 
It is difficult these days when there are fans of all ages to appreciate how ''young'' fandom was in 1939.  Here is a table of ages of major figures during the First Worldcon:
  
 
<tab>
 
<tab>
−
[[Sam Moskowitz]] (the ''chairman''!) ||19  
+
[[Sam Moskowitz]] (the ''[[chairman]]''!) ||19  
 
[[Donald A. Wollheim]] ||25  
 
[[Donald A. Wollheim]] ||25  
 
[[John W. Campbell, Jr.]] ||29  
 
[[John W. Campbell, Jr.]] ||29  
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[[Nycon 1]] had a list of members, but it was neither accurate nor complete. Not accurate, because many people signed up with [[pseudonyms]] -- in some cases more than one. Not complete in that an estimated 50 people didn't sign in at all! (The $1 membership fee, while not insignificant to those poverty-stricken young people, was not a major source of convention income, so there was little attempt to get everyone to pay.)
 
[[Nycon 1]] had a list of members, but it was neither accurate nor complete. Not accurate, because many people signed up with [[pseudonyms]] -- in some cases more than one. Not complete in that an estimated 50 people didn't sign in at all! (The $1 membership fee, while not insignificant to those poverty-stricken young people, was not a major source of convention income, so there was little attempt to get everyone to pay.)
  
−
This list was published in [[Julius Unger]]'s [[fanzine]] ''[[Fantasy Fiction Field]] Nycon Review'' in June 1942 See {{link | website=http://fanac.org/fanzines/Fantasy_Fiction_Field/FanFic_Field875-17.html| text=here for the actual list.}}   To it we have added names for which there is evidence of their attendance.
+
This list was published in [[Julius Unger]]'s [[fanzine]] ''[[Fantasy Fiction Field]] Nycon Review'' in June 1942 See {{link | website=https://fanac.org/fanzines/Fantasy_Fiction_Field/FanFic_Field875-17.html| text=here for the actual list.}} ''[[New Fandom]]'' 6 ([https://www.fanac.org/fanzines/New_Fandom/New_Fandom06.pdf January 1940, p. 10]) also contained a partial list. We have added names for which there is evidence of their attendance.
  
 
<div style="column-count:3;-moz-column-count:3;-webkit-column-count:3">
 
<div style="column-count:3;-moz-column-count:3;-webkit-column-count:3">
 
* [[Charles D. Hornig]]
 
* [[Charles D. Hornig]]
 
* [[Harl Vincent]]
 
* [[Harl Vincent]]
−
* [[Lloyd Arthur Eschbach]]
+
* [[Nelson S. Bond]]
−
* [[Robert D. Swisher]]
+
* [[Lloyd Arthur Eshbach|L. A. Eschbach]]
 +
* [[Robert D. Swisher|R. D. Swisher]]
 
* [[Otto Binder]]
 
* [[Otto Binder]]
 
* [[Jack Williamson]]
 
* [[Jack Williamson]]
 
* [[Ross Rocklynne]]
 
* [[Ross Rocklynne]]
−
* [[John D. Clark]]
+
* [[John D. Clark]], PH.D
 
* [[Manly Wade Wellman]]
 
* [[Manly Wade Wellman]]
 
* [[Edmond Hamilton]]
 
* [[Edmond Hamilton]]
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* [[Mort Weisinger]]
 
* [[Mort Weisinger]]
 
* [[Isaac Asimov]]
 
* [[Isaac Asimov]]
−
* [[Milton A. Rothman]]
+
* [[Milton A. Rothman]] ([[Lee Gregor]])
 
* [[Malcolm Jameson]]
 
* [[Malcolm Jameson]]
−
* [[John Victor Patterson]]
+
* [[John Victor Peterson]]
 
* [[Kenneth Sterling]]
 
* [[Kenneth Sterling]]
 
* [[John W. Campbell, Jr.]]
 
* [[John W. Campbell, Jr.]]
 
* [[L. Sprague de Camp]]
 
* [[L. Sprague de Camp]]
 
* [[David C. Cooke]]
 
* [[David C. Cooke]]
−
* [[Charles F. Kanada]]
+
* [[Charles F. Ksanada]]
 
* [[Norman L. Knight]]
 
* [[Norman L. Knight]]
−
* [[Robert F. Young]]
+
* [[Robert A. Young]]
 
* [[David V. Reed]]
 
* [[David V. Reed]]
 
* [[Ruroy Sibly]]
 
* [[Ruroy Sibly]]
−
* [[A. S. Johnson]]
+
* [[Arthur Sidney Johnston|A. S. Johnston]]
 
* [[F. E. Hardart]]
 
* [[F. E. Hardart]]
 
* [[Julius Schwartz]]
 
* [[Julius Schwartz]]
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* [[Alphonse Grimminger]]
 
* [[Alphonse Grimminger]]
 
* [[Charles Eastabrooks]]
 
* [[Charles Eastabrooks]]
−
* [[Jerome Seigel]]
+
* [[Jerry Siegel|Jerome Seigel]]
 
* [[Sidney Levine]]
 
* [[Sidney Levine]]
 
* [[A. J. Murphy]]
 
* [[A. J. Murphy]]
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* [[A. W. Lincoff]]
 
* [[A. W. Lincoff]]
 
* [[Scott Feldman]]
 
* [[Scott Feldman]]
−
* [[John V. Baltidonis]]
+
* [[John V. Baltadonis]]
 
* [[Walter Sullivan]]
 
* [[Walter Sullivan]]
 
* [[Gertrude Kuslan]]
 
* [[Gertrude Kuslan]]
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* [[Franklin Janson]]
 
* [[Franklin Janson]]
 
* [[Robert Studley]]
 
* [[Robert Studley]]
−
* [[Ana Krenzel]]
+
* [[Anna Krenzel]]
−
* [[A. L. Selikowiotz]]
+
* [[A. L. Selikowitz]]
 
* [[Leslie Perri]]
 
* [[Leslie Perri]]
 
* [[Allen R. Charpentier]]
 
* [[Allen R. Charpentier]]
 
* [[Richard Wilson]]
 
* [[Richard Wilson]]
 
* [[Edward Weisinger]]
 
* [[Edward Weisinger]]
 +
* [[Conrad H. Ruppert]]
 
* [[Pearl Moskowitz]]
 
* [[Pearl Moskowitz]]
 
* [[Morris Moskowitz]]
 
* [[Morris Moskowitz]]
 
* [[Harry Moskowitz]]
 
* [[Harry Moskowitz]]
−
* [[Wilbor J. Widmer]]
+
* [[Wilber J. Widmer]]
 
* [[Herbert Schaefer]]
 
* [[Herbert Schaefer]]
 
* [[Jeannette Reol]]
 
* [[Jeannette Reol]]
−
* [[Herb Goudkot]]
+
* [[Herb Goudket]]
 
* [[William H. Dellenback]]
 
* [[William H. Dellenback]]
 
* [[J. Lacker]]
 
* [[J. Lacker]]
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* [[Joe Kucera]]
 
* [[Joe Kucera]]
 
* [[Robert A. McCarthy]]
 
* [[Robert A. McCarthy]]
−
* [[L. H. J. Ubucar]]
+
* [[L. H. J. Ubuear]]
 
* [[Bernice Keller]]
 
* [[Bernice Keller]]
 
* [[Millie Taurasi]]
 
* [[Millie Taurasi]]
−
* [[Frances Helen Sykora]]
+
* [[Frances Helen Sykora|Frances Sykora]]
 
* [[Frances Alberti Sykora|Frances Alberti]]
 
* [[Frances Alberti Sykora|Frances Alberti]]
 
* [[Rose Alberti]]
 
* [[Rose Alberti]]
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* [[Leonard Levy]]
 
* [[Leonard Levy]]
 
* [[William Smith]]
 
* [[William Smith]]
−
* [[Robert S. Thompson]]
+
* [[Robert G. Thompson]]
 
* [[Ann Racic]]
 
* [[Ann Racic]]
 +
* [[Carmen Maris]]
 
* Mr. & Mrs. [[M. Racic]]
 
* Mr. & Mrs. [[M. Racic]]
 
* Mr. & Mrs. [[C. Sykora]]
 
* Mr. & Mrs. [[C. Sykora]]
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* [[Frances N. Swisher]]
 
* [[Frances N. Swisher]]
 
* [[Doña Campbell|Mrs. J. W. Campbell, Jr.]]
 
* [[Doña Campbell|Mrs. J. W. Campbell, Jr.]]
−
* Mr. & Mrs. [[Inmsana]]
+
* Mr. & Mrs. [[Insana]]
 
* [[Rudolpha Catherine Rigelsen Paul|Mrs. Frank R. Paul]]
 
* [[Rudolpha Catherine Rigelsen Paul|Mrs. Frank R. Paul]]
 
* [[Joan Paul]]
 
* [[Joan Paul]]
Line 174: Line 191:
 
* [[George Herman]]
 
* [[George Herman]]
 
* [[Eldred Mendyk]]
 
* [[Eldred Mendyk]]
 +
* [[Henry Dowds]]
 
* [[Mary Jameson]]
 
* [[Mary Jameson]]
−
* [[Art Widner]]
+
* [[Arthur L. Widner]]
 
* [[Harry Harrison]]
 
* [[Harry Harrison]]
 
* [[Kenneth Rohan]]
 
* [[Kenneth Rohan]]
Line 181: Line 199:
  
 
===Recorded elsewhere as having attended:===
 
===Recorded elsewhere as having attended:===
−
* Mr & [[Marjorie Z. Wright|Mrs]] [[Farnsworth Wright]]
+
* [[Joe Christoff]]
−
* [[Bobby Wright]]
 
 
* [[William H. Groveman]]
 
* [[William H. Groveman]]
 
* [[V. Kidwell]]
 
* [[V. Kidwell]]
−
* [[Pete Racic]]
 
 
* [[Erle Korshak]]
 
* [[Erle Korshak]]
 +
* [[Ken Krueger]]
 
* [[Jack Newton]]
 
* [[Jack Newton]]
−
* [[Conrad H. Ruppert]]
+
* [[Pete Racic]]
−
* [[Richard Wilson]]
+
* [[Bobby Wright]]
−
* [[Nelson S. Bond]]
+
* [[Farnsworth Wright]]
 +
* [[Marjorie Z. Wright]]
  
 
===Excluded from the convention:===
 
===Excluded from the convention:===
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==Futurian Conference ==
 
==Futurian Conference ==
−
 
 
A [[conference]] held on Tuesday, July 4, 1939, the third day of the Nycon, while many of the Worldcon attendees were playing a [[Softball Game|softball game]] on Flushing Flats. The [[Futurians]], most of whom had been banned from the Worldcon, and their sympathizers held their own free mini-[[con]] in [[Brooklyn]]. They discussed the [[Exclusion Act]] and [[Michelism]].
 
A [[conference]] held on Tuesday, July 4, 1939, the third day of the Nycon, while many of the Worldcon attendees were playing a [[Softball Game|softball game]] on Flushing Flats. The [[Futurians]], most of whom had been banned from the Worldcon, and their sympathizers held their own free mini-[[con]] in [[Brooklyn]]. They discussed the [[Exclusion Act]] and [[Michelism]].
  
Line 211: Line 228:
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==More==
+
==More Reading==
−
* {{link | website=http://fanac.org/conpubs/Worldcon/Nycon%20I/index.html|text=Publications at Fanac}}
+
* {{conpubs |series=Worldcon|con=Nycon I}}.
−
* {{link | website=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebzRkm6HyQA|text=Video of MagiCon panelists reminiscing}}
+
* [[Illustrated Nycon Review]].
−
* [[Caravan Hall|David Dorman's search for traces of Caravan Hall]]
+
* {{link | website=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebzRkm6HyQA|text=Video}} of [[panel]]sits at [[MagiCon]] panelists reminiscing.
−
 
+
* [[Caravan Hall|David Dorman's search for traces of Caravan Hall]].
−
[[Noreascon Three]] printed reminiscences of NYCon by a number of attendees in its [[PB]]:
+
* [[Noreascon Three]] printed reminiscences of NYCon by a number of attendees in its [[PB]]:
−
* [[Nycon 1 Reminiscence (Ackerman)|Forrest J Ackerman]]
+
** [[Nycon 1 Reminiscence (Ackerman)|Forrest J Ackerman]]
−
* [[Nycon 1 Reminiscence (Schwartz)|Julius Schwartz]]
+
** [[Nycon 1 Reminiscence (Schwartz)|Julius Schwartz]]
−
* [[Nycon 1 Reminiscence (Eshbach)|Lloyd Eshbach]]
+
** [[Nycon 1 Reminiscence (Eshbach)|Lloyd Eshbach]]
−
* [[Nycon 1 Reminiscence (Harrison)|Harry Harrison]]
+
** [[Nycon 1 Reminiscence (Harrison)|Harry Harrison]]
−
* [[Nycon 1 Reminiscence (Baltadonis)|John Baltadonis]]
+
** [[Nycon 1 Reminiscence (Baltadonis)|John Baltadonis]]
−
* [[Nycon 1 Reminiscence (Rothman)|Milt Rothman]]
+
** [[Nycon 1 Reminiscence (Rothman)|Milt Rothman]]
−
* [[Nycon 1 Reminiscence (Kyle)|Dave Kyle]]
+
** [[Nycon 1 Reminiscence (Kyle)|Dave Kyle]]
−
* [[Nycon 1 Reminiscence (Hornig)|Charles Hornig]]
+
** [[Nycon 1 Reminiscence (Hornig)|Charles Hornig]]
−
* [[Nycon 1 Reminiscence (Moskowitz)|Sam Moskowitz]]
+
** [[Nycon 1 Reminiscence (Moskowitz)|Sam Moskowitz]]
−
 
+
*Other con reports:
−
Other con reports:
+
**[https://web.archive.org/web/20080906184034/https://time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,761661-1,00.html “Amazing! Astounding!”] ''Time'' magazine, July 10, 1939. (Also: [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-times-scientification-fans-mee/125117526/ “‘Scientification’ Fans Meet,”] Owen Sound Daily Sun-Times, July 13, 1939, p. 4.)
−
* ''[[New Fandom]] #6'' p4, [http://www.fanac.org/fanzines/New_Fandom/New_Fandom06.pdf online here].
+
** [https://www.fanac.org/fanzines/Satellite/Satellite11.pdf “The New York Convention”] by [[Louis Kuslan]], ''[[The Satellite]]'' Vol. 2, No. 8 (August 1939, p. 3).
−
* {{link | website=https://eFanzines.com/1939Nycon|text=Conreps at EFanzines}}.
+
** [https://www.fanac.org/fanzines/New_Fandom/New_Fandom06.pdf Uncredited report], ''[[New Fandom]]'' 6 (January 1940, p. 4).
−
* [http://www.jophan.org/mimosa/m06/kyle.htm “The Great Exclusion Act of 1939”] by [[Dave Kyle]].
+
** [https://efanzines.com/1939Nycon/Fifth-Convention-Report.pdf “The ‘Fifth’ (World's Fair) Convention”] by [[Jack Robins]], 1940.  
−
* [http://www.jophan.org/mimosa/m22/kyle.htm “Caravan to the Stars”] by [[Dave Kyle]].
+
** {{link | website=https://eFanzines.com/1939Nycon|text=Conreps at eFanzines}}.
−
 
+
** [https://www.jophan.org/mimosa/m06/kyle.htm “The Great Exclusion Act of 1939”] by [[Dave Kyle]], ''[[Mimosa]]'' 6 (April 1989).
−
See also [[New York Worldcons]] and [[Early Conventions]].
+
** [https://www.jophan.org/mimosa/m22/kyle.htm “Caravan to the Stars”] by [[Dave Kyle]], ''[[Mimosa]]'' 22 (June 1998).
  
 
{{fancy2|text=
 
{{fancy2|text=
 
from '''[[Convention]]''' NYCon I was held in New York 2-4 July under the auspices of [[New Fandom]] as the [[World Science Fiction Convention]], "First" being added later.  (Annual Worldcons were not at first contemplated; idea and site for the ChiCon were not formally approved by fans till the [[Philcon 1939|PhilCo]] later this year.)  With a total attendance of 200, it was the largest before [[World War II]] ended major [[conventions]].  It set the pattern for subsequent conventions lasting more than one day, but was marred by the [[Exclusion Act]].  The name of NYCon (or "Fifth Eastern") was tagged on it by the [[Wollheimists]] to downgrade the claim implicit in "World", but after the [[ChiCon]] such portmanteau-names were always used.
 
from '''[[Convention]]''' NYCon I was held in New York 2-4 July under the auspices of [[New Fandom]] as the [[World Science Fiction Convention]], "First" being added later.  (Annual Worldcons were not at first contemplated; idea and site for the ChiCon were not formally approved by fans till the [[Philcon 1939|PhilCo]] later this year.)  With a total attendance of 200, it was the largest before [[World War II]] ended major [[conventions]].  It set the pattern for subsequent conventions lasting more than one day, but was marred by the [[Exclusion Act]].  The name of NYCon (or "Fifth Eastern") was tagged on it by the [[Wollheimists]] to downgrade the claim implicit in "World", but after the [[ChiCon]] such portmanteau-names were always used.
 
}}
 
}}
−
 
 
{{fancy1|text=
 
{{fancy1|text=
 
The First [[World Science-Fiction Convention]] in [[New York]] in 1939; called originally by its enemies who denied that it was a "world" [[convention]], the name was generally adopted after the [[Chicon]]. The enemies of WSFC committee also called it the World's Fair Science-Fiction Convention, 1939 being the first year of the NY Worlds fair.  
 
The First [[World Science-Fiction Convention]] in [[New York]] in 1939; called originally by its enemies who denied that it was a "world" [[convention]], the name was generally adopted after the [[Chicon]]. The enemies of WSFC committee also called it the World's Fair Science-Fiction Convention, 1939 being the first year of the NY Worlds fair.  
Line 244: Line 260:
  
  
−
{{convention | series=Worldcon | year=1939 | after=Chicon I }}
+
{{convention | series=Worldcon | year=1939 | after=Chicon |series1=New York Worldcons|after1=NyCon II}}
 
[[Category:fancy1]]
 
[[Category:fancy1]]
 +
[[Category:fancy2]]
 
[[Category:US]]
 
[[Category:US]]
 
[[Category:worldcon]]
 
[[Category:worldcon]]
 
[[Category:notable]]  
 
[[Category:notable]]  
 
[[Category:fanhistory]]
 
[[Category:fanhistory]]

Latest revision as of 00:55, 27 July 2023

NyconArt.jpeg
Nycon Program Book heading by Frank R. Paul, courtesy of Thrilling Wonder Stories.


Cardboard placard displayed in New York City just before Nycon. Printed by Conrad H. Ruppert, a fan of the 1930s noted for the excellence of his publications.

Nycon, the First Worldcon, was held Sunday, July 2–Tuesday, July 4, 1939, at Caravan Hall in New York. GoH: Frank R. Paul. Chairman: Sam Moskowitz.

The organizers of the 1939 Worldcon simply called it the "World Science Fiction Convention." It was subsequently called "Nycon" (a nickname Forry Ackerman claimed to have coined) and "The 1939 Worldcon." "Fifth Eastern" was tagged on it by detractors. About 200 fans attended.

The convention was controlled by a so-called 'Ruling Triumvirate' of Moskowitz, William S. Sykora and James V. Taurasi. In the Exclusion Act (which see), they kept some members of the Futurians from attending after a long history of feuding between the club and the concom, exacerbated when Dave Kyle (who wasn’t banned) anonymously created A Warning!, a somewhat incendiary pamflet. He had hidden the copies, but the Triumvirs found it.

One event held at the First Worldcon did not become a Tradition: A softball game.

NYCon did not select a site for the next Worldcon — it had not occurred to the NYCon committee that it could possibly be an annual event. But fandom loved it, and a few months later, at Philcon 1939, the fans present voted to hold another Worldcon in 1940 in Chicago. See 1940 Worldcon Site Selection.

The convention drew disdainful coverage from Time magazine, whose uncredited reporter called the teenaged fen the “jitterbugs of the pulp magazine field,” and made “goshwowoboyoboy” a fannish catchphrase.

See also New York Worldcons and Early Conventions.


Members[edit]

During the first Worldcon, fans took the opportunity to visit Coney Island, where this foto-op took place. Front, from left: Mark Reinsberg, Jack Agnew, Ross Rocklynne. Rear: Vincent Kidwell, Robert A. Madle, Erle Korshak, Ray Bradbury, July 4, 1939. Courtesy of Robert Madle.


It is difficult these days when there are fans of all ages to appreciate how young fandom was in 1939. Here is a table of ages of major figures during the First Worldcon:

Sam Moskowitz (the chairman!) 19
Donald A. Wollheim 25
John W. Campbell, Jr. 29
Robert A. Heinlein 32
James V. Taurasi 22
Bob Tucker 25
Jack Speer 19
Dave Kyle 20
Fred Pohl 20
Isaac Asimov 19
E. E. Smith (the old man!) 49

Nycon 1 had a list of members, but it was neither accurate nor complete. Not accurate, because many people signed up with pseudonyms -- in some cases more than one. Not complete in that an estimated 50 people didn't sign in at all! (The $1 membership fee, while not insignificant to those poverty-stricken young people, was not a major source of convention income, so there was little attempt to get everyone to pay.)

This list was published in Julius Unger's fanzine Fantasy Fiction Field Nycon Review in June 1942 See here for the actual list. New Fandom 6 (January 1940, p. 10) also contained a partial list. We have added names for which there is evidence of their attendance.

Recorded elsewhere as having attended:[edit]

Excluded from the convention:[edit]

Boosters[edit]

The program book, meanwhile, contains a list of “Scientifictionists” who each paid 25¢ to be included, a way of supporting the convention. Like all such lists at early conventions, there are numerous pseudonymous duplicates, including many names for Forry Ackerman.

Futurian Conference[edit]

A conference held on Tuesday, July 4, 1939, the third day of the Nycon, while many of the Worldcon attendees were playing a softball game on Flushing Flats. The Futurians, most of whom had been banned from the Worldcon, and their sympathizers held their own free mini-con in Brooklyn. They discussed the Exclusion Act and Michelism.

From Fancyclopedia 1, ca. 1944
From Conference – Third day of the Nycon, where most of the attendees were playing softball on Flushing Flats, the Futurians and their sympathizers met in a Futurian Conference. They discussed the Exclusion Act and Michelism.

More Reading[edit]

From Fancyclopedia 2, ca. 1959
from Convention NYCon I was held in New York 2-4 July under the auspices of New Fandom as the World Science Fiction Convention, "First" being added later. (Annual Worldcons were not at first contemplated; idea and site for the ChiCon were not formally approved by fans till the PhilCo later this year.) With a total attendance of 200, it was the largest before World War II ended major conventions. It set the pattern for subsequent conventions lasting more than one day, but was marred by the Exclusion Act. The name of NYCon (or "Fifth Eastern") was tagged on it by the Wollheimists to downgrade the claim implicit in "World", but after the ChiCon such portmanteau-names were always used.
From Fancyclopedia 1, ca. 1944
The First World Science-Fiction Convention in New York in 1939; called originally by its enemies who denied that it was a "world" convention, the name was generally adopted after the Chicon. The enemies of WSFC committee also called it the World's Fair Science-Fiction Convention, 1939 being the first year of the NY Worlds fair.


first Worldcon - Bidding - Hugos Chicon
first New York Worldcons NyCon II
1939
This is a convention page. Please extend it by adding information about the convention, including dates, GoHs, convention chairman, locale, sponsoring organization, external links to convention pages, awards given, the program, notable events, anecdotes, pictures, scans of publications, pictures of T-shirts, con reports, etc.

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