TAFF DOOR #3

This is TAFF DOOR No. 3, a newsletter for the Trans-Atlantic Fan Fund published in May 1991 by the North American Administrator, Robert Lichtman, P. O. Box 30, Glen Ellen CA, 95442 USA. This issue is being sent to voters in the just-completed TAFF election, participants in the mail auction and other fund-raising activities, fanzine editors (please spread the message), former administrators, and friends of TAFF. TAFF DOOR No. 4 will be out shortly after the Worldcon, will be accompanied by the TAFF ballot for the race for which nominations are about to open (see below for details), and will be sent to TAFF's larger list (about 650 fans).

PAM WELLS WINS!

Yes she did, actually and literally, with 58 percent of the total first place votes. Abigail Frost trailed while Bruno Ogorelec brought up the rear. Here are complete voting details ...

Candidate N.A. Eur. Down
Under
Totals
Abigail Frost:
1st Place 20 37 1 58
2nd Place 36 46 2 84
3rd Place 23 22 4 49
4th Place 2 13 1 16
Bruno Ogorelec:
1st Place 21 11 1 33
2nd Place 18 24 4 46
3rd Place 38 64 3 105
4th Place 6 13 0 19
Pam Wells:
1st Place 42 84 6 132
2nd Place 26 34 1 61
3rd Place 13 10 1 24
4th Place 1 1 0 2
Hold Over Funds:
1st Place 2 1 0 3
2nd Place 2 17 1 20
3rd Place 8 18 0 26
4th Place 38 57 3 98
5th Place 1 0 0 1

David Piper received a write-in vote in the first position.

Pam will be traveling to the Worldcon in Chicago over Labor Day Weekend. No details are available at this writing about where else she might venture during her Stateside visit, though she does say she'll "be in the U.S. much of September." She will be taking over as TAFF's European administrator and may be reached at 24A Beech Road, Bowes Park, London, N11 2DA, U. K.


THE NEXT RACE IS ON
(SOONER THAN YOU THINK)

The forthcoming 1992 TAFF election will select a North American fan to attend the 43rd British National Science Fiction Convention (Eastercon), being called "Illumination," which will convene next April at the Norbreck Castle Hotel in Blackpool on the west coast of Northern England. Here is the schedule for that race:

Nominations open: June 15, 1991
Nominations close: August 15, 1991
Ballots available: September 6, 1991
Voting deadline: December 31, 1991
Eastercon: April 17-20, 1992

To be eligible, a prospective candidate must obtain five nominators (three from North America, two from Europe/U. K.), provide a platform for the ballot of not more than 100 words (which need not be self-authored --- mine wasn't), furnish a $20 bond, agree to take the trip if elected (barring acts of Ghod), and --- finally but importantly --- administer the North American half of the fund through two elections until a successor is selected.

Nominations may be sent to either administrator, but bonds and platforms should be sent to the North American one only (address above). Fanzine editors please mention this schedule in your next issue, thank you.


THANKS TO THOSE WHO VOTED

The following fans cast ballots this time, listed in order received: Arthur Hlavaty, Martin Morse Wooster, Gary K. Louie, Allan Beatty, Lucy Huntzinger, Harry Warner Jr., Richard Brandt, Dave Rike, Alexis Gilliland, Roy Tackett, Ned Brooks, Martha Beck, John D. Berry, Janice Murray, Andy Porter, Michael Waite, Don Franson, Dennis Lien, Ben Schilling, Justin Ackroyd, Neil Kaden, Brad Westervelt, Erwin S. Strauss, John F. Moore, Toni Weisskopf, Richard Gilliam, Jeanne Gomoll, Harold Bob, Joe Celko, Simba Blood, David L. Russell, Geri Sullivan, Nicki Lynch, Dick Lynch, Linda Blanchard, David Bridges, Elaine Stiles, Steve Stiles, Elizabeth Osborne, David Clark, Rich McAllister, M. B. (Beulah) Wadsworth, Hal Davis, David Axler, Suzanne Tompkins, Jerry Kaufman, Sheila Bostick, Cathy Doyle, Alan Stewart, Roger Weddall, Mike Glicksohn, Mary Carey, R'ykandar Korra'ti, Harry Andruschak, Taras Wolansky, Eli Cohen, Gay Haldeman, Greg Ketter, Vicki Rosenzweig, Moshe Feder, Lise Eisenberg, Joe Wesson, Marie Miesel, Donya White, Allen Baum, Jan Howard Finder, Karen Cooper, Irwin Hirsh, Mark Manning, Kate Schaefer, Charlene Taylor, Frank Denton, Colin Hinz, R. Laurraine Tutihasi, Sarah Prince, LynnC, Clive Newall, Spike Parsons, Jeff Schalles, Bryan Barrett, Bill Bodden, Vijay Bowen, Mark W. Richards, Bill Bowers, Don Fitch, Pat Mueller, Bruce Pelz, Leslie Smith, Bob Webber, Alan Rosenthal, Andi Shechter, Stu Shiffman, Nigel Rowe, Andrew Hooper, Carrie Root and Kim Winz. Covert Beach and Paul Williams cast their ballots with Christina Lake but their votes are included in the North American totals. Also, Matthias Hofmann cast his ballot with me but his votes are counted in Christina's totals. The following sent votes that were received after the deadline: Peter Larsen, Ben Yalow, Russ Chauvenet. To all, thanks!

The Mail Auction Continues [Round 2 goes on]

TAFF supports itself through a variety of fund-raising activities as well as through the kindness and generosity of fellow fen throughout the world. One of its most successful efforts in recent years has been a series of auctions and direct sales, mostly but not entirely of older fanzines. At the present time, bidding continues in the auction begun in TAFF DOOR No. 2 and --- further below --- opens on a new round of items.

The items offered in TAFF DOOR No. 2 have attracted the following bids so far (leading bidder in boldface):

1. A Collection of Fannish Buttons, 20 buttons spanning three decades, including the legendary Minneapolis in '73 button. Minimum bid: $15. Bids so far: Dave Rike, $17. Fred Galvin, $28.

2. MOTA No. 25, May 1978, 22 pages. Probably the best faanish fanzine of the '70s, this issue features editor Terry Hughes, Gary Deindorfer, Michael Dobson and Boyd Raeburn, with a spiffy Dan Steffan cover. Minimum bid: $5. No bids yet. Does everyone already have this issue or what?

3. DIASPAR No. 22, June 1981, 37 pages. Published for FAPA. Editorial by Terry Carr, contributions from James Sackett, Melissa Michaels & Lois Metzger. Minimum bid: $3. Gary Ferguson, $5.

4. GILGAMESH No. 44, September 1972, 7 pages. GILGAMESH was Terry Carr's low circulation perzine, in this issue of which he writes on his move from New York to California and reports on LACon I. Minimum bid: $4. Gary Ferguson, $7.

5. GILGAMESH No. 53, June 1978, 10 pages. Terry writes about early ambitions of being a cartoonist & includes some samples saved from his childhood; also various gossip & chat. Minimum bid: $4. No bids so far.

6. GILGAMESH No. 65, August 1983, 12 pages. Terry Carr writing about his experiences at the 1983 Westercon. Minimum bid: $5. No bids yet.

7. GILGAMESH No. 66, January 1984, 16 pages. Terry writes of a recent visit from Sidney Coleman, shares impressions of recent reading, describes his relationship with Bridge Publications. Many Rotsler illos. Minimum bid: $5. Richard Brandt, $5.

A. ANSIBLE, edited by Dave Langford, complete run of 50 issues spanning 1979 through 1987. Now includes three issues (1, 11 & 12) previously offered as photocopies (thanks to Langford). Probably the best British newszine ever. Minimum bid: $50. Richard Brandt, $50. David Clark, $60. Gary Ferguson, $60. Craig Smith, $63.

B. Robert Bloch, The Eighth Stage of Fandom, Advent: Publishers, Chicago (1962), 176 pages. Limited hardcover edition of this long out-of-print collection of Bloch's fanzine writes from the '40s and '50s (this is No. 31 of 125 copies, only 100 of which were offered up for sale and mostly went at the 1962 Chicago worldcon). Signed by the author, it's in near-mint condition without dust jacket, as issued. Minimum bid: $100. Dave Langford, $100.

C. FOULER No. 7, September 1972, 30 pages. Legendary Ratfanzine edited by Leroy Kettle and Greg Pickersgill, who do the lion's share of the writing therein. Other contributors include Ian Maule, John Piggott & John Brosnan. Minimum bid for well-preserved copy: $15. Richard Brandt, $15. Craig Smith, $18.

D. The Incompleat Terry Carr Volume 1: Original version as published in 1972 by Arnie Katz & rich brown, 60 pages on Twiltone with covers by Ross Chamberlain. Contains nine of Terry's articles and faan fiction, including the play, "My Fair Femmefan." In excellent shape. Minimum bid: $10. Nigel Rowe, $15.

E. The Enchanted Duplicator by Walt Willis & Bob Shaw. This is the 1971 edition published by rich brown & Arnie Katz, heavily illustrated by Ross Chamberlain. If your only copy is perhaps the version in WARHOON No. 28, you're missing a dimension added by Ross's excellent depictions. Near mint condition copy. Minimum bid: $12. No bids received so far.

F. TANDEM No. 1, edited by Joyce & Arnie Katz in 1972, a 65-page zine starting out with a 3-page Ross Chamberlain cover in the style of the old VOID covers. Contributors include Bob Shaw, Grant Canfield, Susan Wood, John Alderson and both editors. Terry Carr contributes an "Entropy Reprint" of F. Towner Laney's "A Fabulous Burbee-Like Character." Mimeo on still-supple Twiltone. Minimum bid: $12. Richard Brandt, $12. Gary Ferguson, $14.

G. FOCAL POINT No. 12.5, the Bob Shaw Fund special issue, published by rich brown & Arnie Katz in 1971. A 50-page fanzine with contributions from Redd Boggs, Calvin Demmon, Ted White, Steve Stiles, Colleen Brown, rich & Arnie. Also reprints: BoSh's "The Fanmanship Lectures," "No Moving Parts" by G. Gordon Dewey, and "Big Name Fan," post-Atomigeddon faan fiction by Charles Burbee. Copious fannish artwork throughout. This copy in excellent condition. Minimum bid: $12. Richard Brandt, $12. Gary Ferguson, $14. Craig Smith, $14. Nigel Rowe, $15.

Please note: Final bids on the above items must reach me by September 3, 1991, the day after Worldcon. If you wish to be kept informed of any bids exceeding yours, enclose a postcard or SASE with your bid. This auction round will be over and the results published in TAFF DOOR No. 4, which will appear in September and will also contain the ballot for the next North America to Europe TAFF race. Now here is some ...

New Stuff [Auction: Round 3]

H. The Roots of Fantasy: Myth, Folklore & Archetype: The Book of World Fantasy Con, Seattle 1989. Yeah, this isn't exactly new. The top bidder for one of the two copies of this volume offered in the first auction did not redeem her bid. Thus, the still shrink-wrapped copy is once again available. A second copy, in fine condition, has also been donated. This elaborate production (designed by John D. Berry: 8½ x 11 trade paperback, 140 pages on good paper with heavy covers, perfectbound) exists in an edition of only 1,000 copies, most of which were part of the membership packets of those who were part of the 1989 WFC. Contributors include: Ginjer Buchanan, Suzanne Tompkins with Jerry Kaufman, Gene Wolfe, Vonda McIntyre, Joe R. Lansdale, Debbie Notkin, Kris Demian, Avram Davidson, Ursula LeGuin, Robert McCammon, S. P. Somtow, Terry Pratchett, Jessica Amanda Salmonson, M. J. Engh, Greg Bear, Sharon Baker, Karen Jay Fowler, and Bruce Taylor. Some of this consists of short stories and articles which appeared elsewhere, but it's a helluva anthology. New writing includes: Ginjer's opening remarks; Suzle and Jerry's biographical sketch of Ginjer; Gene Wolfe's article on Avram Davidson; Vonda's introduction to Ursula LeGuin; Lansdale's introduction to McCammon; Debbie's article about S. P. Somtow; Kris Demien on Joseph Campbell; Terry Pratchett on the roots of fantasy; Salmonson's delightful "Little Tales of Ho and Naipon"; and Sharon Baker's speech from the 1988 Conference of the International Association for the Fantastic in the Arts (more roots of fantasy here). Color cover artwork (and some black and white interiors) by artist guest of honor Yoshitaka Amano. Somtow's contribution is worth noting, as it consists of the unexpurgated version of his story, "Lottery Night." The top bidder at the end of this auction gets the shrinkwrapped copy, while the runner-up gets the one I've perused. Minimum bid on this is $25. Richard Brandt has already bid this amount.

I. A nearly complete run of GRANFALLOON, a fanzine which evolved into one of the above average genzines of its era, comprising a 3½-inch stack of mostly Twiltone. The first issue (the only one dittoed on one side of thin yellow ditto paper) appeared in January 1968 and the 20th in July 1976. I don't know if the magazine went on past No. 20. Nos. 17 and 19 are missing from this run. All are in good condition. The original editorial team was Linda Eyster, who later became Linda Bushyager, and Suzanne Tompkins, who was Suzle even then. Suzle dropped out after six issues and Linda carried on with assistance from husband Ron. Besides the editors, contributions over the years included Jerry Kaufman, Ginjer Buchanan, Richard Delap, Frank Lunney, Michael Gilbert, Damon Knight, Arnie Katz, Fred Haskell, Bob Tucker, Bill Bowers, Piers Anthony, Alexis Gilliland, Jack Gaughan, Bill Danner, Roger Zelazny, Robert Silverberg, Sandra Miesel, Harry Warner Jr., Don D'Ammassa, John D. Berry, Mike Glicksohn, Andrew Offutt, Ted White, David Emerson, Ted Pauls, Donald Keller, Mae Strelkov, Peter Roberts, Alan Stewart and Susan Wood, many of them with more than one appearance. Content is pretty balanced between fannish and science-fictional concerns. There is a lively letter column. GRANFALLOON is a good representative of its era. Minimum bid for the run: $25.

J. WHIMSEY No. 1, August 1983, 15 pages. The premier issue of previous TAFF winner Jeanne Gomoll's perzine. In this issue, Jeanne introduces herself and also provides a description of her then-current abode. She writes about why she happened to publish a book of Carl Brandon's faan-fiction parody, Cacher of the Rye, some of the flak she took over her decision and subsequent act of publishing, and presents a few letters of comment received on it. She also writes on convention programming, with particular attention paid to WisCon, and reviews Carl Brandon's play, A Filker on the Roof. Minimum bid: $4.

K. WHIMSEY No. 2, December 1983, 18 pages. In this issue Jeanne writes on loccing comic books, reviews a few fanzines at some length and with insight, writes about confusing people by appearing together with Spike (her 16-year-old twin sister), moving, her new house (complete with detailed floor plans), working out, reactions to "The Day After" (a TV movie of 1983 about post-atomic war), and presents a variety of interesting letters responding to the first issue. Minimum bid: $4.

L. HARLOT No. 3, March 1982, 48 pages on Twiltone except for the offset cover, edited by Avedon Carol and Anne Laurie Logan. Anne Laurie laments the then-current sad stack of science fiction book editing, with examples, while Avedon discusses the decline of literacy in science fiction fandom and the sf-author-as-star syndrome. But the most engaging article in this issue is Gerri Balter's "Young and Pretty," which explores some men's apparent preference for young and pretty women over ones possessing personality and intelligence, not to mention compatibility. Balter interviews 30 women and 10 men, and presents many of their comments here. Pat Mueller writes about what makes things work and various people's interest or lack of same in understanding such matters. 1982 TAFF winner Kevin Smith provides a brief self-interview. Anne Laurie is joined by Don D'Ammassa and Marty Siegrist in a book review section, and finally there is a lively letter column. Minimum bid: $5.

M. HOLIER THAN THOU No. 20, October 1984, 114 pages, published by Marty Cantor. This now-defunct genzine was never known for consistent excellence --- rather, for size and diversity of content. This particular issue leads off with an excellent 11 x 17 inch fold-out litho cover of an alien orgy, contributed by Brad Foster. A highlight of this issue is Chapter 2 of Harry Warner Jr.'s fannish autobiography, "All My Yesterdays." Terry Carr's "Entropy Reprints" column presents an old fannish classic, "After The Atom: Some Fannish Memoirs" by Joe Kennedy (known in these latter days as poet X. J. Kennedy), which includes an account of his meeting with notorious-long-ago Ricky Slavin. Richard Bergeron presents the first of a series of "Fangdom" columns; in this one he carries on his TAFF wars with his usual zeal (gak!). Mike Glyer reviews fanzines; other contributors include Richard Weinstock on police brutality, English John Berry with the concluding installment of "The Limey Run," a trip report about his 1959 visit to the U.S., and Lee Hoffman with a brief description of how her interests in fandom have changed over the years. There is an enormous lettercol, and Marty editorializes here and there throughout the issue. The best stuff in this issue is quite good, indeed. Minimum bid: $5.

N. HOLIER THAN THOU No. 21, Spring 1985, 126 pages. Sports a multi-colored front cover by Bergeron. Harry Warner Jr. continues his "All My Yesterdays" autobiography, while Terry Carr's "Entropy Reprints" presents "Dogs," an amusing article by Bob Leman. Milt Stevens responds to Weinstock's article on police brutality; Milt is an L. A. cop himself, which makes the response all that more worth checking out. Glyer reviews more fanzines; Skel contributes a long rambling column. Eric Mayer begins a column mixing personal reminiscences with fannish observations. There are two letter columns this time: the regular one and a second one concentrating on responses to Bergeron's column in the previous issue, including a cogent 12-page letter from Ted White. All in all, an in-depth presentation of fandom's general lack of enthusiasm for Bergeron's point of view. Marty editorializes on the whole matter, also announcing that he's going to cut off publication of further discussion in order that the subject not take over the magazine. Again, the best of this issue is excellent, and the lengthy discourse on the Bergeron matter is at least clinically instructive in a fanhistorical way, if rather nauseating. Minimum bid: $5.

O. HOLIER THAN THOU No. 22, Fall 1985, 75 pages. In this issue (which sports an interesting Pete Lyon cover), Harry Warner Jr. concludes his "All My Yesterdays" autobiography. Richard Weinstock writes on criminal courts and the penal system. Mike Glyer continues to review fanzines, while Terry Carr's "Entropy Reprints" presents "Fallen Angelenos" by Bjo Trimble. She has become so associated with convention art shows and costume shows that her fanwriting has largely been overlooked; this piece is a good example of why (in addition to her fan art) she was such a well-regarded fan in the '50s and '60s. Skel has another lengthy column. The unintentional fanhistorical highlight of this issue is Eric Mayer's column, this one the notorious "Cafe Fandom" piece which was the subject of considerable discussion (not only in HTT, either). Other contributors include Adrienne Fein, Warren Norwood and Darrell Schweitzer. The usual large lettercol. Minimum bid: $4.

P. HOLIER THAN THOU No. 23, Winter 1986, 60 pages. Marty editorializes in opposition to an idea being floated at the time to hold the Worldcon on a large cruise ship in the Caribbean. Skel has another lengthy column. Harry Warner Jr. continues "All My Yesterdays" but changes the subject to forgotten fans; in this issue, he writes interestingly about a series of them: Walter Earl Marconette, Joe Kennedy, Vernon L. McCain, Jack Chapman Miske, Marijane Johnson, J. Michael Rosenblum and D. R. Smith. Linda Blanchard describes an adventure she and some of her former high school classmates had traveling to a concert. Richard Weinstock writes on juveniles and the legal/court system. Eric Mayer's column is about English John Berry. Other contributions from Donald Franson and Milt Stevens, and a long letter section. Minimum bid: $4.

Q. Hand-Tinted Artwork by Jean Young. In this unusual departure from our usual auction fare of old fanzines, Jean Young has donated one hand-tinted, matted drawing to be auctioned. The winning bid may choose from the three selections depicted on the next page. In non-reduced form, these fit (approximately) on a page of the size you are holding. There is a minimum bid of $20, and a shipping charge of $4 must be added to the winning bid. Jean will produce the winner's selection and ship it from Animal Farm, her rural homestead in Iowa. (You do not need to specify which one you're interested in when submitting a bid.) I can't resist adding that I have lots of Jean's work all over my room, and it makes for a vibrant and colorful environment in which to fan.

Many thanks to Brian Burley, Paul Williams and Jean Young for donating the new auction items in this issue. TAFF is running rather low on auctionable stuff. Assistance welcome.

Well, that's enough for this time. Opening bids for these new (third round) items must reach me by the same day as the closing bids for the other auction: September 3, 1991. Interim results will be published in TAFF DOOR No. 4, to appear later that month. Bidding will then continue through December 31, 1991. A fourth and final round of auction items will also appear in the September issue, with a sudden death deadline of December 31, 1991, so as not to carry over into my successor's administration. Final results of all auctions will appear in TAFF DOOR No. 5, scheduled for January 1992 and also announcing the results of the 1992 TAFF election. And then I'll be done and can resume writing my report. Cheers ...

ALSO AVAILABLE FROM TAFF

The Enchantment
by Walt Willis

Walt and Madeleine Willis were Fan Guests of Honor at the 1988 Tropicon, in Florida. The Enchantment is a 36-page, well-illustrated account (including many photographs) of their trip over, their Florida holiday before the convention (which might well be subtitled "Willis Rediscovers America"), and a detailed report of the convention itself. Artists include Lee Hoffman, Gail Bennett, Alexis Gilliland and ATom.

Copies are available for $4 each postpaid ($5 to non-U.S. addresses).

AND ALSO: Copies remain of Dave Langford's 80-page 1980 TAFF report, The Transatlantic Hearing Aid. Also $4 postpaid ($5 non-U.S.).

FANZINE SAMPLERS

Two-pound fanzine sample packages are available for $5 each postpaid ($6 non-U.S.). These consist of an assortment of fanzines published during the last ten years --- mostly recent, but upcoming samplers will include one or more issues of RAFFLES, Stu Shiffman & Larry Carmody's fannish fanzine from the '70s and '80s.

Platen Stories
(by Dave Langford)

A 64-page collection containing a full dozen of our Dave's highly entertaining fanzine articles from '80s fanzines, in the same saddle-stitched A5 format as his TAFF report. Published for Conspiracy '87. $4 postpaid ($5 non-U.S.)


TRANS-ATLANTIC FAN FUND

Robert Lichtman
North American Administrator
P. O. Box 30
Glen Ellen, CA 95442

First Class Mail