Ted Mason
(???? – )
G. E. 'Ted' Mason[1] was a UK fan from County Durham active in the 1950s. He was a member of Operation Fantast in 1953 and later a founder and secretary of the North East Science Fiction Society. He was known (eventually) for his anonymous columns in their clubzine, Satellite.
Don Allen wrote a letter to Authentic Science Fiction in October 1953 asking about fans in his local area and only Mason replied[2]. They obtained contact information for other fans in the area from Vin¢ Clarke and Ken Slater and the group first met on March 26, 1954. Mason was appointed secretary.
He contributed to their clubzine Satellite, writing a column 'Fanalysis' under the penname 'Vitriol'. Ron Bennett later explained:
The columns were made up of snide insinuations about fandom in general and certain fans in particular, though no fan was ever named. And, as you might imagine, they were the topic of conversation in many letter columns and much correspondence. I'd discussed the topic with Con Turner when he visited Harrogate, and he rolled with laughter. 'Vitriol' was actually a fan named Ted Mason, who was unknown outside the local area and was simply having a bit of fun. He made up the 'insinuations' in a general way without having anyone in mind, and was constantly amazed at and amused by the manner in which fans projected these fictitious 'insinuations' on to actual personalities[3].
Walt Willis gave a contemporary analysis:
The main defect of ['Fanalysis'] is that the anonymous author's acquaintanceship with genuine dragons is slight, and some of his victims look more like windmills to me, but it's pungently written and with a little more evidence of a sense of humour should make a very fine column indeed[4].
In a review of Satellite #6 (August 1955) where 'Vitriol' did not appear, Paul Enever said:
I took a strong exception to many of the things he said but that only made me all the more eager to read him. Maybe in time I could have really hated his guts, but it is good to have someone to hate. And after he revealed himself as Ted Mason I admired his outspokenness[5].
Not everybody was as positive. Sandy Sanderson said:
I'm pleased to see that Vitriol didn't return with the mag. I've nothing against people expressing their opinions but I believe they should have the courage to use their own names[6].
Mason also contributed an article on ESP to Anne Steul's Fantum.
He is listed in Ron Bennett's Directory of Science Fiction Fandom for 1955 and 1956 but not later. In Satellite #8 (December 1958), Don Allen said, 'Ted Mason is still around but is no longer taking any part in current active fandom'.
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- ↑ He is usually referred to as Ted Mason but the Ron Bennett directories list him as G. E. Mason.
- ↑ Then, page 125.
- ↑ Mimosa #26 (December 2000).
- ↑ Nebula #12 (April 1955).
- ↑ Orion #11 (August 1955).
- ↑ Satellite #8 (December 1958). There's a certain irony in this, given Sanderson was then publishing the pseudonymous 'Penelope Fandergaste' columns and his past history with 'Joan Carr'.
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