Vagabondia STF

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Title:	Vagabondia STF
Creator:	Robert A. W. Lowndes (as "The Vagrant")
Date(s):	1930s, 1940s
Medium:	Print
Fandom:	Science Fiction
Topic:	Science fiction industry and fandom
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Vagabondia STF was a regular column by Robert A. W. Lowndes printed in The Science Fiction Fan. It covered both pro and fan activity.

March 1939

Lowndes corrected a recent misstatement about pro author C.D. Simak's debut, and gave a summation of the history of fandom and its current state entering the new year:

Your columnist is quoting only from hazy memory. It is interesting to compare outlooks on stf with the beginning of the yaers through the last few years. 10 years ago, there was but still one stf magazine, the original AMAZING, still in Gernsback's hands, cover by Paul, feature story by Marius--swell two part tale THE SIXTH GLACIER. Fan activity almost entirely confined to discussions columns, with some talk of forming some sort of Science Corresponence Club.

1930 found three, no four magazines going (not to mention quarterlies which we neglected above) with various contests in the Gernsback group, and science articles making their first definite appearance.

31 and '32 finds little change, except by now the SCIENCE FICTION DIGEST is about to get under way.... '33 found the first noticeable slump in stf magazines, AMAZING and WONDER both skipping issues, and the former reverting to small size with much cheaper paper and make-up. SFD and FANTASY FAN going strong, and Charles D. Hornig in the chair of WONDER, undisputed leader at that time.

'34 found ASTOUNDING making its comeback, FANTASY FAN off the rolls, but FANTASY MAGAZINE the big noise in the fan field, while, in the Jan. WONDER, appaared a short story by a fan then for the most part unknown, Donald A. Wollheim. WONDER were to regret ever taking that. Sometimes we wonder what might have happened in the fan field had that tale (and all others Wollheim sent them) been rejected.

'35 found the SFL well under way braches formed and operating, WONDER still leading by a very close margin, and very unsure of its grip, while ASTOUNDING was hitting rapider strides with ease. AMAZING had long since become a non-entity and quarterlies had dissapeared. In fan circles Tucker's SPWSSTFM and similar groups were mushrooming up all around. Fan activities increasing, the "Gernsback illusion" holding full sway. And the ISA was beginning to organize opposition to the tactics of the SFL.

'36 and even as the year opened, the death of WONDER was apparent, while ASTOUNDING was far in advance, just having trimmed its edges, and featured a serial by Lovecraft. The ISA now an important section of fan activity, FANTASY MAGAZINE and INTERNATIONAL OBSERVER the leading fan journals...... '37, the year which seemed to promise the greatest fan-activity ever. ASTOUNDING leading the field, THRILLING WONDER still new and seemingly hopeful, AMAZING apparently taking an upgrade turn. In the fan field, the 2nd Eastern States Stf Convention being planned, with the hopes that the two conflicting groups, ISA-SFL, could get together. FANTASY MAGAZINE appearing erratically, but appearing. INTERNATIONAL OBSERVER the key fan magazine, while a new arrival, SCIENCE FICTION FAN, showed promise, considerable promise, and the SCIENCE-FANTASY CORRESPONDENT rounded out general hopes for big things to come.

'38 The revolution in fan activities had just broken out, Michelism was in its infancy, the CPASF in the first stages of organization. The FAPA well under way with two big mailings. ASTOUNDING far ahead of its two contemporaries. The SFL, except for a brilliant chapter out west and the somewhat erratic Greater NY chapter very quiet. CRITIC, FAN and SFN-L the top fan publications. SCIENCE FICTION ADVANCE still in embryo, except to a chosen few, the economic relation between world-conditions and stf fandom was little suspected.

'39. The Michelist revolution in fandom looks back on a year of achievement, and forward to greater heights, as more and more fans come over to the movement. AS-F leads the stf pro magazine field, while a new pulp, MARVEL SCIENCE STORIES, dark horses for second place. And three more new stf magazines are in evidence, while the revived AMAZING STORIES hits a new low for sheer worthlessness and stupidity in professional stf. The FAPA frimly grounded and progressing, plans for the World Convention fill the air, and fan writings take on real significance under the guidance of the Futurian Publishers Group. Wollheim still holding position as "top" fan while Lowndes ranks first as fan-writer. In publications the SCIENCE FICTION ADVANCE is stops, while [Science Fiction Fan] reigns undisputed as leading monthly fan magazine. SFN-L going strong as first class stf weekly. In spite of the flood of fan magazines and combines, these three stand out clearly, while futile stf-hobbyists concentrate in an epitome of mediocrity known as New Fandom. Thus the new year commences.