Which Was the First SF Convention?
Two meetings vie for the title: The Oct 22, 1936 meeting in Philadelphia (about a dozen fans) and the Jan 3, 1937 meeting in Leeds (about twenty fans). Some feel that the 1936 Philadelphia meeting was a mere visit of NY fans to Philadelphia and that the true first convention was the 1937 Leeds meeting in the UK.
This seems like hairsplitting, because small affairs like the Philadelphia meeting have subsequently been called "conventions" without objection. Both of them clearly thought of themselves as conventions, but it is certainly true that the Leeds meeting was larger, longer-planned, and more organized than the Philadelphia gathering.
Perhaps it would be fairest to say that the first thing that can reasonably be called a convention was held in Philadelphia in 1936, while the first thing that must be called a convention was held in Leeds in 1937.
See also:[edit]
Mundane precursors?[edit]
One can also argue that some mundane "fancy dress balls" had strong aspects of conventions. The Royal Albert Hall in London held ‘The Coming Race’ and ‘Vril-Ya’ Bazaar and Fete, March 5–10, 1891. Granted, it was not a fan-run convention, but it celebrated a speculative work: The Coming Race by Baron Edward Bulwer Lytton (pub. 1871).
People dressed as characters from the book, including many winged characters and a princess dressed in black satin. The fete included magic shows, a vendors' area, dancing and music in addition to the early cosplay.
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