Difference between revisions of "British Fantasy Society membership 1942–1946"

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British Fantasy Society membership 1942–1946
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The first incarnation of the [[British Fantasy Society]] (BFS) ran from 1942–1946 and had about 132 members through to August 1946 when the last update was reported in ''[[British Fantasy Society Bulletin]]'' #27.  
 
The first incarnation of the [[British Fantasy Society]] (BFS) ran from 1942–1946 and had about 132 members through to August 1946 when the last update was reported in ''[[British Fantasy Society Bulletin]]'' #27.  
  
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The uncertainty arises because there are 132 membership numbers but there are some gaps in the sequential numbering: 112-118, 128, 129, 131. Members 128 and 129 may have been announced in ''[[British Fantasy Society Bulletin]]'' #26, a copy of which hasn't been traced as of 2024. It's possible that 112–118 were retrospectively applied to American honorary members.  
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The uncertainty arises because there are 132 membership numbers but there are some gaps in the sequential numbering: 112-118, 128, 129, 131. It's possible that 112–118 were retrospectively applied to American honorary members – for which see below – and the same may be true of 128 and 129. Alternatively, 128 and 129 may have been assigned to members announced in bulletin #26, a copy of which hasn't been traced as of 2024. It's a mystery what happened to member 131 as bulletin #27 announces members 130 and 132.  
  
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There is also a complication concerning [[T. W. Strange]] (or Stronge) and [[D. R. W. Stronge]] (or Strange). They were brothers, and thus both presumably both either Strange or Stronge but we don't know which. T. W transferred his membership to D. R. W. in June 1945 because of problems receiving mail, although D. R. W. then paid a triple-rate sub. So they are both member 28, although it's unclear whether that should be seen as sequentially or concurrently.
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There is also a complication concerning [[T. W. Strange]] (or Stronge) and [[D. R. W. Stronge]] (or Strange). They were brothers, and thus presumably both either Strange or Stronge but we don't know which. T. W transferred his membership to D. R. W. in June 1945 because of problems receiving mail, although D. R. W. then paid a triple-rate sub. So they are both member 28, although it's unclear whether that should be seen as sequentially or concurrently.
  
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'''Honorary Members'''
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In December 1942 [[Alden H. Norton]] was made an honorary member of the Society for arranging complimentary [[prozine]] subscriptions for some UK fans. In bulletin #10 in August 1943 the Society set out its position on American members and honorary memberships generally, saying that American fans would not be eligible for membership unless they were honorary. Existing members  [[Forrest J Ackerman]] and [[John M. Cunningham]] were given honorary status. In January 1944, honorary memberships were also given to [[Myrtle R. Douglas]], [[Bill Evans|William H. Evans]], [[Joe Gibson]], [[Milt Rothman]], [[Paul J. Searles]] and [[Bob Tucker]] although seemingly without assigned numbers. In September 1944, [[Walt Dunkelberger]] and [[Bill Watson]] were added, again without numbers.
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In December 1942 [[Alden H. Norton]] was made an honorary member of the Society for arranging complimentary [[prozine]] subscriptions for some UK fans. In August 1943 the Society decided that American fans would not be eligible for membership unless they were honorary, although existing members  [[Forrest J Ackerman]] and [[John M. Cunningham]] were given honorary status, as were [[J. Michael Rosenblum]] and [[D. R. Smith]]. In January 1944, honorary memberships were also given to [[Myrtle R. Douglas]], [[Bill Evans|William H. Evans]], [[Joe Gibson]], [[Milt Rothman]], [[Paul J. Searles]] and [[Bob Tucker]] although seemingly without assigned numbers. In September 1944, [[Walt Dunkelberger]] and [[Bill Watson]] were added, again without numbers.
 
  
 
<div style="column-count:3; vertical-align:top">
 
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* [[J. E. Rennison]] (2)
 
* [[J. E. Rennison]] (2)
 
* [[Arthur J. Ridgway]] (55)
 
* [[Arthur J. Ridgway]] (55)
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* [[J. Michael Rosenblum]] (1 honorary)
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* [[J. Michael Rosenblum]] (1)
 
* [[Milt Rothman]] (honorary)
 
* [[Milt Rothman]] (honorary)
 
* [[Clifford Russell]] (132)
 
* [[Clifford Russell]] (132)
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* [[A. G. Skeel]]<ref>Sometimes referred to as 'Sheel' in the bulletin.</ref> (34)
 
* [[A. G. Skeel]]<ref>Sometimes referred to as 'Sheel' in the bulletin.</ref> (34)
 
* [[Robert J. Silburn]] (41)
 
* [[Robert J. Silburn]] (41)
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* [[D. R. Smith]] (11 honorary)
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* [[D. R. Smith]] (11)
 
* [[J. Stephenson]] (127)
 
* [[J. Stephenson]] (127)
 
* [[R. G. Stewart]] (82)
 
* [[R. G. Stewart]] (82)

Revision as of 08:37, 9 June 2024

The first incarnation of the British Fantasy Society (BFS) ran from 1942–1946 and had about 132 members through to August 1946 when the last update was reported in British Fantasy Society Bulletin #27.

The uncertainty arises because there are 132 membership numbers but there are some gaps in the sequential numbering: 112-118, 128, 129, 131. It's possible that 112–118 were retrospectively applied to American honorary members – for which see below – and the same may be true of 128 and 129. Alternatively, 128 and 129 may have been assigned to members announced in bulletin #26, a copy of which hasn't been traced as of 2024. It's a mystery what happened to member 131 as bulletin #27 announces members 130 and 132.

There is also a complication concerning T. W. Strange (or Stronge) and D. R. W. Stronge (or Strange). They were brothers, and thus presumably both either Strange or Stronge but we don't know which. T. W transferred his membership to D. R. W. in June 1945 because of problems receiving mail, although D. R. W. then paid a triple-rate sub. So they are both member 28, although it's unclear whether that should be seen as sequentially or concurrently.

In December 1942 Alden H. Norton was made an honorary member of the Society for arranging complimentary prozine subscriptions for some UK fans. In bulletin #10 in August 1943 the Society set out its position on American members and honorary memberships generally, saying that American fans would not be eligible for membership unless they were honorary. Existing members Forrest J Ackerman and John M. Cunningham were given honorary status. In January 1944, honorary memberships were also given to Myrtle R. Douglas, William H. Evans, Joe Gibson, Milt Rothman, Paul J. Searles and Bob Tucker although seemingly without assigned numbers. In September 1944, Walt Dunkelberger and Bill Watson were added, again without numbers.

The final issue of the BFS bulletin was published in November 1946 but a copy hasn't been located and so we don't know if there were any more last minute members before the Society dissolved.

Club 1942—1946
This is a club page. Please extend it by adding information about when and where the club met, when and by whom it was founded, how long it was active, notable accomplishments, well-known members, clubzines, any conventions it ran, external links to the club's website, other club pages, etc.

When there's a floreat (Fl.), this indicates the time or times for which we have found evidence that the club existed. This is probably not going to represent the club's full lifetime, so please update it if you can!

If applicable, please include category Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, Ireland, NZ, UK, US, ROW or World.

  1. ↑ Sometimes referred to as 'Gibs' in the bulletin.
  2. ↑ Referred to as 'Gompertz' in the bulletin.
  3. ↑ Sometimes referred to as 'Sheel' in the bulletin.
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