Difference between revisions of "Sid Altus"
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[[File:AltusSid.jpeg|thumb|'''Sid Altus.''' ''Photo by [[Michael A. Banks]]''. ]] | [[File:AltusSid.jpeg|thumb|'''Sid Altus.''' ''Photo by [[Michael A. Banks]]''. ]] | ||
| − | [[Detroit]] native and [[fan]] ''' | + | [[Detroit]] native and [[fan]] '''Sydney Altus''' became active in 1973, having begun reading [[sf]] at age 8 and [[collecting]] at 14. In the ’70s and ’80s, he was an avid [[collector]] of [[sf]] [[art]] and videotapes, a poker player, a habituate of such [[convention]]s as [[Midwestcon]] and [[ConFusion]] and a pal of [[Lou Tabakow]], [[Bill Cavin]] and other [[CFG]] members. He belonged to the [[Stilyagi Air Corps]]. |
In the 1970s and ’80s, he hosted a series of weekend-long house parties called '''Sidcon''', drawing a number of [[traveling jiants]], and showing movies on his big-screen projection TV (at a time when those were rare). Among other films, he showed ''Rocky Horror Picture Show'' well before it had developed a following. Sid also arranged for a number of Detroit [[fen]] to attend an advance screening of ''[[Star Wars]]''. | In the 1970s and ’80s, he hosted a series of weekend-long house parties called '''Sidcon''', drawing a number of [[traveling jiants]], and showing movies on his big-screen projection TV (at a time when those were rare). Among other films, he showed ''Rocky Horror Picture Show'' well before it had developed a following. Sid also arranged for a number of Detroit [[fen]] to attend an advance screening of ''[[Star Wars]]''. | ||
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In [[mundania]], Sid was co-owner and manager of a pair of army-navy surplus stores. A teenaged [[Leah Zeldes]] was one of his employees. | In [[mundania]], Sid was co-owner and manager of a pair of army-navy surplus stores. A teenaged [[Leah Zeldes]] was one of his employees. | ||
| − | In the 1980s, he married a [[mundane]], was [[fafiated]] and forced to sell off much of his collection. After his divorce, Sid became a [[revenant]] to a limited extent, but ill health kept him from returning to [[traveling jiant|traveling fandom]]. He recovered after a kidney transplant but was not able to attend [[cons]]. He died of heart failure. | + | [[File:AltusSid1977.jpeg|thumb|left|upright=1.5|'''Sid Altus and friends, 1977'''. ''Photo by [[Larry Tucker]] from the [[ConFusion 14]] [[PB]].'' ]] |
| + | In the 1980s, he married a [[mundane]], was [[fafiated]] and forced to sell off much of his collection. He had one daughter, Shana. After his divorce, Sid became a [[revenant]] to a limited extent, but ill health kept him from returning to [[traveling jiant|traveling fandom]]. He recovered after a kidney transplant but was not able to attend [[cons]]. He died of heart failure. | ||
Latest revision as of 00:36, 19 October 2022
(October 1, 1949 – July 13, 2021)
Detroit native and fan Sydney Altus became active in 1973, having begun reading sf at age 8 and collecting at 14. In the ’70s and ’80s, he was an avid collector of sf art and videotapes, a poker player, a habituate of such conventions as Midwestcon and ConFusion and a pal of Lou Tabakow, Bill Cavin and other CFG members. He belonged to the Stilyagi Air Corps.
In the 1970s and ’80s, he hosted a series of weekend-long house parties called Sidcon, drawing a number of traveling jiants, and showing movies on his big-screen projection TV (at a time when those were rare). Among other films, he showed Rocky Horror Picture Show well before it had developed a following. Sid also arranged for a number of Detroit fen to attend an advance screening of Star Wars.
Sid was a member of the Detroit in '82 Worldcon bid. He worked on AutoClave and ConFusion, and ran a brief revival of art shows at Midwestcon.
He and Alex Berman co-founded a small press, Phantasia Press, which published high-end limited editions of hardcover sf aimed at the collectors' market. Phantasia books would typically appear as first editions, just before the work was published in a much larger edition brought out out by a larger publisher. Most of the original art from their cover paintings wound up on Sid's walls.
In mundania, Sid was co-owner and manager of a pair of army-navy surplus stores. A teenaged Leah Zeldes was one of his employees.
In the 1980s, he married a mundane, was fafiated and forced to sell off much of his collection. He had one daughter, Shana. After his divorce, Sid became a revenant to a limited extent, but ill health kept him from returning to traveling fandom. He recovered after a kidney transplant but was not able to attend cons. He died of heart failure.
| Person | 1949—2021 |
| This is a biography page. Please extend it by adding more information about the person, such as fanzines and apazines published, awards, clubs, conventions worked on, GoHships, impact on fandom, external links, anecdotes, etc. See Standards for People and The Naming of Names. |
