The Blackguards

The Blackguards was a LASFS in-group (self-proclaimed!) which was (in theory, anyway) independent of LASFS with its own treasury. It was formed in January 1967, and members included Chuck Crayne, Dian Pelz, Jane Ellern, Bill Ellern, Ken Rudolph and Bruce Pelz. It planned a convention, Blackguardcon I, on Easter weekend, 1967, though it is unclear if it occurred. Jane and Bill Ellern often hosted their parties.

The group sponsored tournaments of various kinds including miniature golf and bowling. On February 15, 1968. in the middle of a Blackguards-sponsored chess tournament, Lee Jacobs, a popular fan who was participating, died. He had been a frequent participant in Blackguard activities, and in the L.A. party circuit in general; his passing cast enough of a pall that cost the group some of its enthusiasm.

Additionally, many of the leaders of the Blackguards were also heavily involved in bidding for and then running a large Westercon, FUNcon II. The Blackguards had faded out by the end of the ’60s.

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Club

1967—1969

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!