Gompertz

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Gompertz may have been a fan from London, UK active in the 1940s. Alternatively, he may have been a typo or even some obscure 1940s joke or hoax no longer comprehensible in the twenty-first century.

The evidence for his existence is scant. The British Fantasy Society Bulletin #15 (March 1944) lists a new member, given only as 'Gompertz, Teddington (96)'. The editor, D. R. Smith, adds that 'Full details of Mr Gompertz's initials and address are not available at the moment, but will be given in the next issue of the Bulletin'. They are not and he's seemingly never mentioned again. In Futurian War Digest #34 (April 1944) Canadian fan Norman V. Lamb reports meeting a number of fans in London including Gompertz. J. Michael Rosenblum's Directory of Anglo-Fandom (1945) also includes Gompertz with no initial or forename at an address in Teddington.

The case for a typo is that there is a fan called H. Gomberg who was a member of the Cosmos Club and so likely from the Teddington area. British Fantasy Society Bulletin #24 (December 1945) reports among new members 'Gomberg, 45 Elliott Road, Hendon Central, London N.W.4 (96 - delayed-action sub.)' so the fact that he is also member 96 seems conclusive, although he still seems to lack a forename or initial.

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Person

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