TAFFERVESCENT 4

The European TAFF Newsletter that brings you the results of the latest TAFF race: Britain will be welcoming US delegate JEANNE BOWMAN to her shores later this year. Congratulations, Jeanne!

TAFFERVESCENT is published as ever by Pam Wells, 24A Beech Road, Bowes Park, London, N11 2DA. (Phone 081-889-0401.) This issue dated February 1992. Next issue should be out at Eastercon.

Here's how the voting went:

          JEANNE BOWMAN   RICHARD BRANDT   HOLD OVER FUNDS
First     Eur 27 (Tl 87)  Eur 23 (Tl 81)   Eur  0 (Tl  2)
Second    Eur 20 (Tl 65)  Eur 21 (Tl 69)   Eur  4 (Tl 11)
Third     Eur  2 (Tl  7)  Eur  1 (Tl  5)   Eur 30 (Tl 89)
Fourth    Eur  0 (Tl  0)  Eur  1 (Tl  1)   Eur  0 (Tl  3)

There were 53 ballots cast in Europe, and 125 in North America. A number of write-ins were mentioned: I'll just list the European ones. In first place, Gary Deindorfer (1), No Preference (1). In fourth place, Manuel Noriega (1). As of the next race, write in votes will not be permitted: the choice will be between the candidates on the ballot and Hold Over Funds or No Preference. I'd like to thank all the previous TAFF administrators and interested parties on both sides of the Atlantic who gave me their thoughts on this subject and helped me to make this decision.

On the subject of TAFF in Europe, the responses received by Christina Lake and myself are quoted below. By and large the comments reflect each other, and do not encourage a more strenuous promotion of TAFF in Europe. I'll keep this topic open for another issue next issue, in case anyone has anything they would like to add to the discussion.

Chris Lewis writes: "I have to agree with your thoughts on Europe. We are much closer to the Americans than to our European counterparts. If TAFF is to remain an American/British contest, is there a case for a European/British equivalent? After all the real cost to a Yugoslav of flying to Britain is probably higher than a trans-Atlantic flight for us. (This is in addition to your suggestion of a European/American connection). You mention the language barrier which is of course formidable, given the English attitude to other languages. The other problem is that European fandom does not exist as such, there is just a collection of national fandoms. Unless there is some acknowledged pan-European convention to attend, how can any focus develop. The only solution is some arrangement to go to the national convention of the European winner, but I can see a nightmare of administration developing ..."

Maureen Speller writes: "I've been pondering too your comments about TAFF in 3T5. Very pertinent comments I thought, particularly in rejecting the idea that TAFF is a European thing as well. It clearly isn't and I think you are correct in saying that it should remain as an Anglo-American venture, rather than incompetently attempting to diversify. If nothing else, the voting has demonstrated that European fans, as one mass, are not prepared to vote for 'one of their own', and why should they, for there is no European fandom per se, simply a large number of countries, with their own SF fans, and a greater or lesser degree of correspondence (not in the literary sense) with the fandoms of other countries. I think we would be wrong to see it otherwise. I've been getting a little more involved in Fans Across the World, and it's clear that we're only just beginning to realise the extent and the diversity of the European fandoms, let alone understand just where they dovetail with the fandoms we are familiar with. To be honest, I think it would be unwise to embroil TAFF in a trans-European venture. Better to leave it to something like FATW which can respond in more immediately appropriate ways, and provide more opportunities for more people to at least make contact in a more modest way."

Robert Lichtman writes: "I tend to agree with those who say TAFF has no particular responsibility to do more outreach to Europe than it already does. It's my observation that European fandom (and the many national fandoms it comprises) is insular and most of its participants are uninterested in the doings of English-speaking fandom. Certainly they cannot be unaware of TAFF since there have been two European winners in the past (albeit one of them amidst much controversy). [...] What I'm saying is that inasmuch as TAFF is known to European fans, it is not TAFF's business to hold their collective hand and urge them to participate. It has to be a voluntary thing."

The letters from Chris Lewis and Maureen Speller were sent to Christina Lake, and the one from Robert Lichtman was addressed to me. I received a further letter from Maureen Speller on this subject, but as I write this her letter is nowhere to be found. I am suitably embarrassed, of course, and will either find it soon or ask Maureen if she can send me another copy to quote from next time.

I'd like to thank that small but select bunch of people who have participated in the mail auction and direct sole so for. I haven't sold out of anything listed lost time yet, so the direct sale list is repeated below. Auction items are listed on the next page. As a reminder: direct sale items will be supplied on a first come, first served basis; auction items will be listed in three issues of TAFFERVESCENT before a winner is announced. Here is a new option for overseas bidders: if you would prefer to pay in US dollars, payment can be made to Jeanne Bowman in America. Her address is We B Dudes Ranch, P0 Box 82 Glen Ellen, CA 95442-0982. As a rough guide, the dollar amount is about twice as much as the amount in pounds; perhaps a little more if post age by air is required. Bids should all still be made in pounds and sent to me; do not mail Jeanne any money until I say so!

For the record, the balance in European TAFF currently stands at £1,384.77.

Direct Sale Items:

And finally, I'd like to thank everyone who voted on this side of the Atlantic:

Allen Baum, Tony Berry, Pamela Boal, Harry Bond, Helena Bowles, Ramsey Campbell, Avedon Carol, John Dallman, Lilian Edwards, Dave Ellis, Bernie Evans, Mick Evans, Vicky Evans, Colin Fine, Anne Gay, Jenny Glover, Steve Glover, Steve Grover, Anne Hamill, Judith Hanna, Rob Hansen, Chuch Harris, Sue Harris, Irwin Hirsh, Kate Jeary, Al Johnston, Paul Kincaid, Linda Krawecke, Christina Lake, Dave Langford, Hazel Langford, Chris Lewis, Caroline Mullan, Chris Murphy, Joseph Nicholas, Darroll Pardoe, John Richards, John D. Rickett, Roger Robinson, Alison Scott, Cas Skelton, Paul Skelton, Kev Smith, Martin Smith, Ian Sorensen, Maureen Speller, Richard Standage, Pascal Thomas, Martin Tudor, Donya White, Bridget Wilkinson, Madeleine Willis and Walt Willis.

Auction Items: First Round

1. EGG by Peter Roberts, issues 7 (March 1973) and 11 (May 1978). 'The official journal of aardvark fans.' Nicely produced genzine, in the forefront of British fandom in the seventies. Issue 7 contains material by Eric Bentcliffe, Ian Williams, John Brosnan, Harry Bell and others, issue 11 contains the first couple of chapters of Peter Roberts' 1977 TAFF trip report. Issues to be sold separately. Minimum bid: £5 each.

2. DNQ 34 by Taral Wayne. Huge but perfectly formed genzine, dated October 1983. Contains some excellent writing and artwork, and is duplicated immaculately on us Quarto Twiltone -- even the pages with different coloured inks are damn near perfect! This 90 page zine contains articles by Rich Coad, Dave Langford, Stu Shiffman, Susan Wood and others, with art by Harry Bell, Tom Foster, Ken Fletcher, Marc Schirmeister and more, not forgetting the substantial material contributed by Taral himself. Minimum bid: £4.

3. GAMBIT by Ted White, issues 55 (March 1982) and 56 (August 1982). Both have Dan Steffan covers and much written material by Ted White. Issue 55 also contains articles by Lee Hoffman, Avedon Carol and Malcolm Edwards. Issue 56 contains articles by Paul Skelton and Malcolm Edwards. Issue 55 has 24 pages while 56 runs to 38 pages. Some text is printed using a small typeface, but dean duplication makes ft all perfectly legible. Interior art by Bill Rotsler, Lee Hoffman, Dan Steffan and others. Issues to be sold separately. Minimum bid: £5 each.

4. STILL IT MOVES issues 1 to 5 and STILL LIFE 1 by Simon Ounsley, published between 1981 and 1984, before Simon got reaDy Ill. Great British fanwriting by Ounsley and his contributors, who include Michael Ashley, Helen Starkey, Alan Ferguson, Jackie Gresham, Simon Polley, Pete Lyon, Colin Greenland and Paul Vincent To be sold as a set. Minimum bid: £6.

5. BOONFARK by Dan Steffan, issues 4 to 7. More neat duplicating in many colours, more great writing and artwork. I'm running out of superlatives and beginning to sound like a used car salesman. These are really excellent, trust me (see what I mean?). Issue 4 (January 1981), 5 (August 1981), 6 (Spring 1982) and 7 (Fall 1982). Issues to be sold separately. Minimum bid: £5 each.

Auction Items: Second Round

1. Set of GROSS ENCOUNTERS by Alan Dorey, Issues 1 to 12 inclusive, plus 'Isaac Astral's Science Fiction Weekly'. Published between 1978 and 1984. Perhaps best described as an irreverent topical genzine with a wicked sense of humour. Minimum bid: £5. BIDS RECEIVED Richard Brandt £5, Robert Lichtman £6.

2. Collection of 12 fanzines by Dave Bridges. Several issues of ONE OFF, some A4 and some smaller. BY DAVID, a handwritten A5 zine with a wallpaper cover. A RAGGED TROUSERED PEDALCYCLIST, A5, typed with card cover. Includes loads of wacky writing, cartoons, weird presentation, as only Dave Bridges could do. All from the 1970s, I think. Minimum bid: £5. BIDS RECEIVED Richard Brandt £5.

3. Set of SMALL FRIENDLY DOG by Skel and Cas. Issues 15 to 23 inclusive, published between 1978 and 1983. AS, duplicated; personal anecdotal writing. All with Skel covers except issues 21 (Dan Steffan), 22 (Harry Bell) and 23 (ATom). EACH ISSUE TO BE SOLD INDIVIDUALLY. Minimum bid: £1 per issue. Please state dearly which issue you are bidding for. If you are bidding for more than one issue, list your bids separately to avoid confusion. BIDS RECEIVED No 17: Harry Bond £1. No 18: Harry Bond £1.

4. GHAS issue 2 by Carol Gregory and John and Eve Harvey, September 1976. General interest fanzine containing an interview with Brian Stableford, fanzine reviews, articles by Andrew Tidmarsh and Jon Howard Finder. Back cover is a photo collage. A4 landscape, duplicated. Artwork by Carol Gregory. Minimum bid: £1.

5. INDIAN SCOUT 21, a fanzine 'from the Secret Bastards of Fandom, the Cretins, and the Red Army Choirboys'. Includes articles by Jim Gemmill, Ian Black, Bill Carlin, Jimmy Robertson, Dave Swinden, Phil Palmer, Alan Ferguson, Pete Lyon, Alan Gemmill and the late Sandy Brown. Undated, but probably early 1980s. Minimum bid: £1.

6. IZZARD 9, substantial genzine published in 1987 by Patrick and Teresa Nielsen Hayden. Contains some excellent fanwriting by people such as Terry Carr, Steve Stiles, Tom Whitmore, Greg Benford, Christopher Hatton, Ted White, Simon Ounsley, D West and Stu Shiffman, not to mention the editors themselves. Cover by Teresa Nielsen Hayden and Stu Shiffman. An excellent example of the fannish genzine for those unfamiliar with the form. Minimum bid: £2.

7. The first mailing of FEAPA, the 'Fannish Elite Apa', March 1980. Contains contributions from Jim Barker, Mike Glicksohn, Robert Holdstock, Paul Kincaid, Dave Langford, Joseph Nicholas, Chris Priest, John Harvey, John Foyster and Peter Roberts, at least Rare. Minimum bid: £3. BIDS RECEIVED Richard Brandt £3, Harry Bond £3, Robert Lichtman £4, Steve Green £5, Robert Lichtman £7.50.

8. Several issues of ZIMRI by Lisa Conesa. Issues 4,4 1/2 and 5(1973), 6 (1974), 7 (1975) and 8 (1976). Nicely produced general interest fanzine, highly regarded in the 70s. EACH ISSUE TO BE SOLD SEPARATELY. Minimum bid: £2 per issue. Please state clearly which issue you are bidding for. If bidding for more than one issue, please list bids separately. BIDS RECEIVED No 4: Harry Bond £2. No 41/2: Harry Bond £2. No S: Harry Bond £2.

I can't leave this section without mentioning a comment from one of Robert Lichtman's letters to me in which he mentioned the mall auction. He said: "It's interesting that you're offering IZZARD 9 for only £2 minimum. Before I was sending you my newsletters, I auctioned one off that started with a minimum $15 bid and finally went for $52. If you don't get much action over there, think of making it available for a US auction." I certainly will think about that, especially since no one has bid on that item here yet. I find this very puzzling, though: how come no one else has spotted my bargain?