Difference between revisions of "Festivention"

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'''Festivention''', the popular name of what was more properly the '''Festival Convention''' or '''Science Fiction Festival Convention''', was held in [[London]] over Whitsun, May 10–14, 1951, at the [[White Horse]] and Royal Hotel in [[London]]. The [[GoHs|guests of honour]] were [[Forrest J Ackerman]], [[Wendayne Ackerman]], and [[Lyell Crane]]. The [[committee]] were [[E. J. Carnell]], [[Charles Duncombe]], [[A. Vincent Clarke]], [[Audrey Lovett]], [[F. E. Arnold]], [[Jim Ratigan]], [[Ken Bulmer]], [[Fred Brown]], and [[Ted Tubb]]. The name was a tie-in to the Festival of Britain, also in 1951.
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'''Festivention''', the popular name of what was more properly the '''Festival Convention''' or '''Science Fiction Festival Convention''', was held in [[London]] over Whitsun, May 10–14, 1951, at the [[White Horse]] and Royal Hote. The [[GoHs|guests of honour]] were [[Forrest J Ackerman]], [[Wendayne Ackerman]], and [[Lyell Crane]]. The [[committee]] were [[E. J. Carnell]], [[Charles Duncombe]], [[A. Vincent Clarke]], [[Audrey Lovett]], [[F. E. Arnold]], [[Jim Ratigan]], [[Ken Bulmer]], [[Fred Brown]], and [[Ted Tubb]]. The name was a tie-in to the Festival of Britain, also in 1951.
  
 
Festivention was always intended as an international convention and was sometimes referred to as '''European International Convention''' or the '''EUCON'''<ref>e.g. ''[[Operation Fantast]]'' #2 (May 1950), ''[[The Committeeman]]'' #6 (April 1951).</ref>.  While it clearly wasn't a [[Worldcon]] in the technical sense, it was more international than any Worldcon to date and contemporary fanwriters did occasionally use the term 'World Convention'<ref>For instance [[Walt Willis]] in ''[[Quandry]]'' #8 ('If you are in London for the festival (and the World Science Fiction Convention, May 10th to 13th, 1951)...'); #9 ('Ackerman reported to be coming to the World Convention in London in May...'); and #10 ('Further articles in the series "The Other SF" in this column will be delayed until after the World Convention in London in May...')</ref>.  
 
Festivention was always intended as an international convention and was sometimes referred to as '''European International Convention''' or the '''EUCON'''<ref>e.g. ''[[Operation Fantast]]'' #2 (May 1950), ''[[The Committeeman]]'' #6 (April 1951).</ref>.  While it clearly wasn't a [[Worldcon]] in the technical sense, it was more international than any Worldcon to date and contemporary fanwriters did occasionally use the term 'World Convention'<ref>For instance [[Walt Willis]] in ''[[Quandry]]'' #8 ('If you are in London for the festival (and the World Science Fiction Convention, May 10th to 13th, 1951)...'); #9 ('Ackerman reported to be coming to the World Convention in London in May...'); and #10 ('Further articles in the series "The Other SF" in this column will be delayed until after the World Convention in London in May...')</ref>.  
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# Mrs Ostlund *
 
# Mrs Ostlund *
 
# [[Terry Overton]]
 
# [[Terry Overton]]
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# [[John C. Park]]<ref>Oddly, Park is not referenced in contemporary reports but [[Derek Pickles]] said he met him at the convention in a letter to ''[[The Mentor]]'' #86 (April 1995).</ref>
 
# [[Mary Patchett]]
 
# [[Mary Patchett]]
 
# [[Peter Phillips]]
 
# [[Peter Phillips]]
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Additional known attendees include Ben Abas's brother (name unknown) and somebody whose name appears to be Daphne Mac-something. There are a number of other names that appear on a signed copy of the programme that can't be identified, including that of a Mystery American. One signature is followed by the letters 'USA'. It does not appear to be that of either of the Ackermans or of Lee Jacobs but it's unclear who it is. No other Americans are mentioned in convention reports.
 
Additional known attendees include Ben Abas's brother (name unknown) and somebody whose name appears to be Daphne Mac-something. There are a number of other names that appear on a signed copy of the programme that can't be identified, including that of a Mystery American. One signature is followed by the letters 'USA'. It does not appear to be that of either of the Ackermans or of Lee Jacobs but it's unclear who it is. No other Americans are mentioned in convention reports.
  
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Writing in ''[[Fantasy Times]]'' #128  (April 2, 1951), [[Forrest J Ackerman]], already arrived in [[London]] in advance of the convention, said that 'Amongst notables attending will be [[S. Fowler Wright]]'. [[Vince Clarke]]'s preliminary report confirms that he did not attend. Ackerman also says 'The [[New Zealand]] fan is already in London' and the second progress report mentions one [[Don Mathieson]] but there are no mentions of him or any other New Zealand fan in any convention reports. The progress report also mentioned the expected attendance of [[Julian May]].
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Writing in ''[[Fantasy Times]]'' #128  (April 2, 1951), [[Forrest J Ackerman]], already arrived in [[London]] in advance of the convention, said that 'Amongst notables attending will be [[S. Fowler Wright]]'. [[Vince Clarke]]'s preliminary report confirms that he did not attend. Ackerman also says 'The [[New Zealand]] fan is already in London' and the second progress report mentions one [[Don Mathieson]] but there are no mentions of him or any other New Zealand fan in any convention reports (although see the note above about John C. Park). The progress report also mentioned the expected attendance of [[Julian May]].
  
 
Another notable absentee was [[Ken Slater]] who was unable to attend due to his military duties in [[Germany]].
 
Another notable absentee was [[Ken Slater]] who was unable to attend due to his military duties in [[Germany]].

Latest revision as of 02:21, 4 October 2024

Festivention, the popular name of what was more properly the Festival Convention or Science Fiction Festival Convention, was held in London over Whitsun, May 10–14, 1951, at the White Horse and Royal Hote. The guests of honour were Forrest J Ackerman, Wendayne Ackerman, and Lyell Crane. The committee were E. J. Carnell, Charles Duncombe, A. Vincent Clarke, Audrey Lovett, F. E. Arnold, Jim Ratigan, Ken Bulmer, Fred Brown, and Ted Tubb. The name was a tie-in to the Festival of Britain, also in 1951.

Festivention was always intended as an international convention and was sometimes referred to as European International Convention or the EUCON[1]. While it clearly wasn't a Worldcon in the technical sense, it was more international than any Worldcon to date and contemporary fanwriters did occasionally use the term 'World Convention'[2].

Festivention was included on the canonical list of Eastercons produced for Eastercon 22 in 1971 and it was only promoted out of the list in 1989 on the basis that it was explicitly planned as an international convention. Additionally, the re-discovery of Cytricon III, omitted from the 1971 list, meant that something had to give to avoid the numerical embarrassment of Eastercon 22 being the 23rd Eastercon.

Preparation[edit]

The conventions in 1948 and 1949 had been organised at short notice with little or no advance publicity, presumably being advertised by word of mouth. By contrast, publicity for Festivention started about a year in advance with Ken Slater reporting: 

good news for European fandom is word from Ted Carnell (editor of fan-produced professional magazine New Worlds) that a European convention will be organized in London for 1951, to coincide with the Festival of Britain. Probable dates will be around Whitsun, but more definite information will come later[3].

The convention issued two progress reports, referred to as Convention News. A copy of the first hasn't been located as at 2024, and the second isn't dated. It reported that memberships had exceeded 100 so it was likely close to the convention. Membership of the convention society was 2/6 (two shillings and sixpence) while attendance on the main days (Saturday and Sunday) was 7/6 per day so full attendance was 17/6. It was printed by the Slant team.

The convention was also advertised in New Worlds and Slant.

L. Sprague de Camp had been due to attend as a guest but had to send regrets in February due to 'family affairs'[4].

Venue[edit]

Festivention was making the first hotel-based UK convention. The main venue for the Saturday and Sunday was The Royal Hotel on Russell Square in London. It would later be the venue for the London SF Con in 1952 and SCI-CON 70 in 1970. It has since been demolished. The Royal National Hotel now stands on the site.

Preliminary sessions were held at the White Horse pub in Fetter Lane on the Thursday and Friday, the venue for the 1948 Whitcon.

Attendees[edit]

There is no published membership list and estimates of numbers vary: 'over 120' in Science Fantasy News #8; '150' in Fantasy Times #130; 'over 200' in Journal of Science Fiction #1 and 'between 200 and 300' according to Ted Carnell in Bloomington News Letter #21.

The following are people named in one of the convention reports, who appear in photos, and/or whose names appear on an extensively signed copy of the programme book.

Named marked * are family members of attendees who it is thought were not fans per se.

  1. Ben Abas
  2. Barbara Abas
  3. Forry Ackerman
  4. Wendayne Ackerman
  5. Bruce Angrave
  6. Frank Arnold
  7. P. A. Astley
  8. B. A. Baker
  9. Eric Bentcliffe
  10. Sid Birchby
  11. John Birchby
  12. Leonard Borston
  13. Syd Bounds
  14. Fred Brown
  15. Daphne Buckmaster
  16. Ron Buckmaster
  17. Ken Bulmer
  18. Jim Burch
  19. Bert Campbell
  20. Mrs Campbell *
  21. Paul Capon
  22. Ted Carnell
  23. M. Chambaz
  24. Mdm. Chambaz *
  25. Ken Chapman
  26. Joan Chapman *
  27. George Charters
  28. Vin¢ Clarke
  29. Arthur C. Clarke
  30. Dave Cohen
  31. Robert Conquest
  32. Mrs Conquest *
  33. Michael Corper
  34. Lyell Crane
  35. John Keir Cross
  36. C. D'Alessio
  37. Rick Dalton
  38. Mimi Dalton *
  39. Ron Deacon
  40. Philip Duerr
  41. Charles Duncombe
  42. Fred Fairless
  43. Frank Fears
  44. Bob Foster
  45. J. Fowler
  46. Les Flood
  47. Georges Gallet
  48. Kerry Gaulder
  49. W. Arthur Gibson
  50. Walter Gillings
  51. David Griffiths
  52. John Beynon Harris
  53. George Hay
  54. Phil Hetherington
  55. Mr Hill[5]
  56. Arthur F. Hillman
  57. Alan Hunter
  58. Joyce Hunter *
  59. Lee Jacobs
  60. Bill Jesson
  61. Leslie J. Johnson
  62. K. Johnstone[6]
  63. Ralph A. Keyes
  64. John Kippax
  65. Max Leviten
  66. Audrey Lovett
  67. Prof. A. M. Low
  68. Colling Leybourn
  69. Douglas W. F. Mayer
  70. Frank Milnes
  71. Lew Mordecai
  72. Dan Morgan
  73. Joni Murray[7]
  74. Sigvard Östlund
  75. Mrs Ostlund *
  76. Terry Overton
  77. John C. Park[8]
  78. Mary Patchett
  79. Peter Phillips
  80. Derek Pickles
  81. Mavis Pickles
  82. Owen Plumridge
  83. Ken Paynter
  84. Jim Ratigan
  85. Peter J. Ridley
  86. Fred Robinson
  87. J. Michael Rosenblum
  88. Alan Shalders
  89. C. Sharpe
  90. D. Sharpe
  91. Bob Shaw
  92. Walter Shaw
  93. Mike Tealby
  94. Bill Temple
  95. Tony Thorne
  96. Ted Tubb
  97. Norman Wansborough
  98. Norman Weedall
  99. A. Wenham
  100. P. A. Weston
  101. R. V. Weston
  102. James White
  103. A. E. "Taffy" Williams
  104. Walt Willis
  105. Madeleine Willis
  106. Mike Wilson
  107. Sam Youd

Additional known attendees include Ben Abas's brother (name unknown) and somebody whose name appears to be Daphne Mac-something. There are a number of other names that appear on a signed copy of the programme that can't be identified, including that of a Mystery American. One signature is followed by the letters 'USA'. It does not appear to be that of either of the Ackermans or of Lee Jacobs but it's unclear who it is. No other Americans are mentioned in convention reports.

Writing in Fantasy Times #128 (April 2, 1951), Forrest J Ackerman, already arrived in London in advance of the convention, said that 'Amongst notables attending will be S. Fowler Wright'. Vin¢ Clarke's preliminary report confirms that he did not attend. Ackerman also says 'The New Zealand fan is already in London' and the second progress report mentions one Don Mathieson but there are no mentions of him or any other New Zealand fan in any convention reports (although see the note above about John C. Park). The progress report also mentioned the expected attendance of Julian May.

Another notable absentee was Ken Slater who was unable to attend due to his military duties in Germany.

The Convention[edit]

From left, Mike Tealby, Derek Pickles, Fred Robinson, Walter Willis, Bob Foster, Vincent Clarke and Ken Bulmer at the International Science Fantasy Con, 1951.

The first preliminary meeting on Thursday May 10 saw the 'White Horse' packed to capacity, with well over 60 visitors being present during the course of the evening. The second session on Friday May 11 was a little smaller with 40 or so attendees[9].

Ted Carnell summarised proceedings in his report for Bloomington News Letter #21 (July 1951) 

London, England: Over May 11th to the 14th, between 200 and 300 professional and amateur enthusiasts of science-fiction, rep­resenting eight countries[10], met in the ballroom of the Royal Hotel (London), to celebrate the first International Science-Fiction Convention ever held. Highlight of this largest - ever British gathering was a surprise award promulgated by the London Circle for the best fiction book and best technical book of 1950. The panel of critics chose George R. Stewart's EARTH ABIDES (Random House) for fiction, and Willy Ley & Chesley Bonestell's CONQUEST OF SPACE (Viking Press) for the technical award. Forrest Ackerman accepted the two awards on behalf of his countrymen.

The awards, conceived only two weeks prior to the convention, went on the drawing board immediately and a twelve-inch spaceship taken from the Bonestell design on the February 1951 GALAXY cover has been approved; It will be mounted on an oak base complete with ornate lighter. Actual awards will be fashioned of heavy chrome for the fiction class, and bronze for the technical. Owing to the shortage of time, exact replicas were used in place of the models — not expected to be ready for some weeks. It is intended that these awards will be made annually, and planned to embrace other fields of science-fiction, including the films. A special Fantasy Fund Award has been opened whereby any­ one may donate. At present, the Award Fund Committee are using the Nova Publications address. 

The Sunday afternoon (13th) session included a three-hour coverage of the S-F fields by all overseas guests; Crane, Canada; Ackerman and Jacobs, the States; Gallet, France; Abas, Holland; Ostlund, Sweden; Willis, Ireland; Paynter, Australia; and Arnold for Britain. (Cpl. Jacobs flew in from his station in Versailles, France.) In addition, Frank Arnold reported on the Italian and Russian fields, while Wendayne Ackerman spoke on the German. A proposal was made by Lyell Crane to set up an International S-F movement outside the United States and the United Kingdom.

The convention followed similar lines to American affairs in that two auctions proved it a moneymaker. There were debates and discussions by prominent professionals, and Milton Rothman's two soap-operas "Life Can be Horrible" and "Who Goes Where?" were re-scripted for British consumption with outstanding success. These and other major items were wire-recorded. Wendayne Acker­man gave an outline of dianetics to a packed hall.

Film shows each evening included Doyle's feature, "The Lost World", Tucker's cutting-room floor epic, "Monsters of the Moon", three short films brought over by Ackerman, and a technicolor rocket film supplied by Arthur C. Clarke. Science-fiction "art" vied with Victorian paintings adorning the walls.

Publications[edit]

As well as the two progress reports, there was a 12-page programme booklet produced by Vin¢ Clarke. Clarke also produced A Preliminary Convention Report, a precursor to a proper souvenir booklet although there is no evidence that one was ever produced.

Future conventions[edit]

Ted Carnell concluded his report in the Journal of Science Fiction #1 (Fall 1951): 

The general consensus of opinion was that London should stage a yearly Convention, the city being better adapted for out-of-town delegates to reach than any other in the country. While the Committee at the moment say 'Never again!' they will, undoubtedly, as soon as the back aches disappear, start planning for 1952.

Links

____

  1. ↑ e.g. Operation Fantast #2 (May 1950), The Committeeman #6 (April 1951).
  2. ↑ For instance Walt Willis in Quandry #8 ('If you are in London for the festival (and the World Science Fiction Convention, May 10th to 13th, 1951)...'); #9 ('Ackerman reported to be coming to the World Convention in London in May...'); and #10 ('Further articles in the series "The Other SF" in this column will be delayed until after the World Convention in London in May...')
  3. ↑ Operation Fantast #2 (June 1950).
  4. ↑ Fantasy Times #124 (February 1951).
  5. ↑ Reports identify a speaker with an Australian accent referred to only as 'Mr Hill'. Chris Nelson believes this was J. M. Walsh.
  6. ↑ There is clearly a middle initial on the signature; it's less clear what it is.
  7. ↑ Referred to only as 'Mrs Murray' in a contemporary report.
  8. ↑ Oddly, Park is not referenced in contemporary reports but Derek Pickles said he met him at the convention in a letter to The Mentor #86 (April 1995).
  9. ↑ Both numbers from Science Fantasy News #8 (July 1951), although Vince Clarke revised his Thursday estimate to 'probably about 90' in his preliminary report.
  10. ↑ It seems that to get to eight Carnell was counting 'Northern Ireland' as a separate country from the rest of the UK.
Convention
1951
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