SFA

(Did you mean the Science Fiction Advertiser?)

The Science-Fiction Association (SFA) was the first national club in the UK. It was founded at the 1937 Leeds Convention and lasted until 1939 when it was suspended on the outbreak of World War Two. Its official organ was Novae Terrae and it published the fanzines Tomorrow and the Science Fiction Gazette. It was succeeded by the British Fantasy Society.

The Association's objectives were announced in Novae Terrae #10, the first issue as the official organ of the SFA:

1. To develop science fiction in the British Isles.
2. To constitute a definite connection, and to stimulate co-operation, between British science fiction groups, fans, and authors.
3. To encourage publishers to pay more attention to science fiction.
4. To stimulate public interest in contemporary scientific ideas and to assist, where possible, in the furtherence of these ideas.

Groups of three of more members could form branches. Subscriptions were 5/- (five shillings) per year and all members would receive Novae Terrae and a quarterly printed bulletin.

At its inception the SFA had fourteen members, eleven of them in Leeds. Regular updates were published in the pages of Novae Terrae including announcements of new members and branches, one of which was in Los Angeles. By May 1937 there were 52 members. Science Fiction Gazette #4 (unofficial version) gives the membership as 71 in July 1937.

The page Science Fiction Association membership 1937-1939 lists 151 identified members of the Association.

While the SFA was suspended with the outbreak of the war, regular meetings continued at The Flat at 88 Grays Inn Road until Christmas 1939 and at the nearby Red Bull until mid-1940 when they were finally ended by The Blitz. Futurian War Digest #6 quoted Ted Carnell: We've never had such good attendances as we have since disbanding.' However, a 'London Letter' from Sid Birchby in FWD #8 reported a resumption of SFA meetings, seemingly untroubled by the ongoing non-existence of the Association itself.

See also: Anglofandom.

From Fancyclopedia 2, ca. 1959

The Science-Fiction Association, an organization with HQ in Great Britain which arose in 1937, held three conventions ("annual meetings") each more successful than the last, and went dormant with the outbreak of World War II. (Unlike the BFS, it could not carry on its official business without the members of the Council meeting in person.) The founders and leaders of the SFA were those whom Webster calls First Fandom; some Americans were members.

From Fancyclopedia 1, ca. 1944

The Science-Fiction Association, an organization with headquarters in Great Britain, which arose in 1937, held three annual meetings or conventions each more successful than the last, and went dormant with the outbreak of the 2d World War. Unlike the BFS, it could not carry on its official business without the members of the Council meeting in person. The founders and leaders of the SFA were those whom Webster calls the First Fandom. Some Amerifans were members.

---

Club

1937—1939

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!