Difference between revisions of "Nycon"

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'''Nycon''', the First [[Worldcon]], was held Sunday, July 2–Tuesday, July 4, 1939, at [[Caravan Hall]] in [[New York]]. [[GoH]]: [[Frank R. Paul]]. [[Chairman]]: [[Sam Moskowitz]].
+
[[File:NyconArt.jpeg|frameless|center|upright=2.6]]
 +
<center><small>Nycon [[Program Book]] heading by [[Frank R. Paul]], courtesy of ''[[Thrilling Wonder Stories]]''.</small></center>
  
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The organizers of the 1939 Worldcon simply called it the "'''World Science Fiction Convention'''." It was subsequently called "'''Nycon'''" (a [[nickname]] [[Forry Ackerman]] claimed to have coined) and "The 1939 Worldcon." "'''"Fifth Eastern'''" was tagged on it by detractors. About 200 [[fans]] attended.  
+
[[File:FirstWorldconCard.jpeg|thumb| Cardboard placard displayed in [[New York City]] just before Nycon. Printed by [[Conrad H. Ruppert]], a 1930s fan noted for the excellence of his publications.]]
  
−
The [[convention]] was controlled by a so-called 'Ruling [[Triumvirate]]' of Moskowitz, [[William S. Sykora]] and [[James V. Taurasi]]. In the [[Exclusion Act]] (which see), they kept some members of the [[Futurians]] from attending after a long history of [[feuding]] between the [[club]] and the [[concom]], exacerbated when [[Dave Kyle]] (who wasn’t banned) anonymously created ''[[A Warning!]]'', a somewhat incendiary [[pamflet]]. He had hidden the copies, but the [[Triumvirs]] found it.  
+
The first [[Worldcon]] was held Sunday, July 2 – Tuesday, July 4, 1939, at [[Caravan Hall]] in [[New York]]. [[GoH]]: [[Frank R. Paul]]. [[Chairman]]: [[Sam Moskowitz]].
  
−
One event held at the First Worldcon did ''not'' become a [[Tradition]]: A [[Softball Game|softball game]].
+
The organizers of the 1939 Worldcon simply called it the "'''World Science Fiction Convention'''." It was subsequently called "'''Nycon'''" (a [[nickname]] [[Forry Ackerman]] claimed to have coined) and "The 1939 Worldcon." "'''Fifth Eastern'''" was tagged on it by detractors. About 200 [[fans]] attended.
 +
 
 +
The [[convention]] was controlled by a so-called 'Ruling [[Triumvirate]]' of Moskowitz, [[William S. Sykora]] and [[James V. Taurasi]].  In the [[Exclusion Act]] (which see), they kept some [[Futurians]] from attending after a long history of [[feuding]] between their [[club]] and the [[concom]], exacerbated when [[Dave Kyle]] (who wasn’t banned) anonymously created ''[[A Warning!]]'', a somewhat incendiary [[pamflet]]. He had hidden the copies, but the [[Triumvirs]] found it.
 +
 
 +
One event held at the First Worldcon did ''not'' become a [[Tradition]], as it was repeated only at the [[Chicon]]: the [[Softball Game]].
  
 
NYCon did not select a site for the next [[Worldcon]] &mdash; it had not occurred to the NYCon [[committee]] that it could possibly be an annual event.  But [[fandom]] loved it, and a few months later, at [[Philcon 1939]], the [[fans]] present voted to hold another Worldcon in 1940 in [[Chicago]].  See [[1940 Worldcon Site Selection]].
 
NYCon did not select a site for the next [[Worldcon]] &mdash; it had not occurred to the NYCon [[committee]] that it could possibly be an annual event.  But [[fandom]] loved it, and a few months later, at [[Philcon 1939]], the [[fans]] present voted to hold another Worldcon in 1940 in [[Chicago]].  See [[1940 Worldcon Site Selection]].
  
−
The convention drew [http://web.archive.org/web/20080906184034/https://time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,761661-1,00.html disdainful coverage] from ''Time'' magazine, whose uncredited reporter called the teenaged [[fen]] the “jitterbugs of the [[pulp]] magazine field,” and made “[[goshwowoboyoboy]]” a [[fannish]] [[catchphrase]].  
+
The convention drew [https://web.archive.org/web/20080906184034/https://time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,761661-1,00.html disdainful coverage] from ''Time'' magazine, whose uncredited reporter called the teenaged [[fen]] the “jitterbugs of the [[pulp]] magazine field,” and made “[[goshwowoboyoboy]]” a [[fannish]] [[catchphrase]].  
  
 
See also [[New York Worldcons]] and [[Early Conventions]].
 
See also [[New York Worldcons]] and [[Early Conventions]].
  
 +
==Members==
 +
 +
[[File:1939ConeyCar.jpeg|frame|center| Fans took the opportunity to visit Coney Island, where this [[foto]]-op took place. Front, from left: [[Mark Reinsberg]], [[Jack Agnew]], [[Ross Rocklynne]]. Rear: [[V. Kidwell]], [[Robert A. Madle]], [[Erle Korshak]], [[Ray Bradbury]], July 4, 1939. Courtesy of Robert Madle.]]
  
−
==Members==
 
 
It is difficult these days when there are fans of all ages to appreciate how ''young'' fandom was in 1939.  Here is a table of ages of major figures during the First Worldcon:
 
It is difficult these days when there are fans of all ages to appreciate how ''young'' fandom was in 1939.  Here is a table of ages of major figures during the First Worldcon:
  
 
<tab>
 
<tab>
−
[[Sam Moskowitz]] (the ''chairman''!) ||19  
+
[[Sam Moskowitz]] (the ''[[chairman]]''!) ||19  
 
[[Donald A. Wollheim]] ||25  
 
[[Donald A. Wollheim]] ||25  
 
[[John W. Campbell, Jr.]] ||29  
 
[[John W. Campbell, Jr.]] ||29  
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[[Nycon 1]] had a list of members, but it was neither accurate nor complete. Not accurate, because many people signed up with [[pseudonyms]] -- in some cases more than one. Not complete in that an estimated 50 people didn't sign in at all! (The $1 membership fee, while not insignificant to those poverty-stricken young people, was not a major source of convention income, so there was little attempt to get everyone to pay.)
 
[[Nycon 1]] had a list of members, but it was neither accurate nor complete. Not accurate, because many people signed up with [[pseudonyms]] -- in some cases more than one. Not complete in that an estimated 50 people didn't sign in at all! (The $1 membership fee, while not insignificant to those poverty-stricken young people, was not a major source of convention income, so there was little attempt to get everyone to pay.)
  
−
This list was published in [[Julius Unger]]'s [[fanzine]] ''[[Fantasy Fiction Field]] Nycon Review'' in June 1942 See {{link | website=http://fanac.org/fanzines/Fantasy_Fiction_Field/FanFic_Field875-17.html| text=here for the actual list.}} ''[[New Fandom]]'' 6 ([http://www.fanac.org/fanzines/New_Fandom/New_Fandom06.pdf January 1940, p. 10]) also contained a partial list. We have added names for which there is evidence of their attendance.
+
This list was published in [[Julius Unger]]'s ''[[Fantasy Fiction Field]] Nycon Review'' (June 1942; {{link | website=https://fanac.org/fanzines/Fantasy_Fiction_Field/FanFic_Field875-17.html| text=see online)}}. ''[[New Fandom]]'' 6 ([https://www.fanac.org/fanzines/New_Fandom/New_Fandom06.pdf January 1940, p. 10]) also contained a partial list. We have added names for which there is evidence of their attendance.
  
−
<div style="column-count:3;-moz-column-count:3;-webkit-column-count:3">
+
<div style="column-count:3;">
−
* [[Charles D. Hornig]]
+
# [[Charles D. Hornig]]
−
* [[Harl Vincent]]
+
# [[Harl Vincent]]
−
* [[Nelson S. Bond]]
+
# [[Nelson S. Bond]]
−
* [[Lloyd Arthur Eshbach|L. A. Eschbach]]
+
# [[Lloyd Arthur Eshbach|L. A. Eschbach]]
−
* [[Robert D. Swisher|R. D. Swisher]]
+
# [[Robert D. Swisher|R. D. Swisher]]
−
* [[Otto Binder]]
+
# [[Otto Binder]]
−
* [[Jack Williamson]]
+
# [[Jack Williamson]]
−
* [[Ross Rocklynne]]
+
# [[Ross Rocklynne]]
−
* [[John D. Clark]], PH.D
+
# [[John D. Clark]], PH.D
−
* [[Manly Wade Wellman]]
+
# [[Manly Wade Wellman]]
−
* [[Edmond Hamilton]]
+
# [[Edmond Hamilton]]
−
* [[Ray Cummings]]
+
# [[Ray Cummings]]
−
* [[Charles Schneeman]]
+
# [[Charles Schneeman]]
−
* [[Frank R. Paul]]
+
# [[Frank R. Paul]]
−
* [[Leo Marguiles]]
+
# [[Leo Marguiles]]
−
* [[Mort Weisinger]]
+
# [[Mort Weisinger]]
−
* [[Isaac Asimov]]
+
# [[Isaac Asimov]]
−
* [[Milton A. Rothman]] ([[Lee Gregor]])
+
# [[Milton A. Rothman]] ([[Lee Gregor]])
−
* [[Malcolm Jameson]]
+
# [[Malcolm Jameson]]
−
* [[John Victor Peterson]]
+
# [[John Victor Peterson]]
−
* [[Kenneth Sterling]]
+
# [[Kenneth Sterling]]
−
* [[John W. Campbell, Jr.]]
+
# [[John W. Campbell, Jr.]]
−
* [[L. Sprague de Camp]]
+
# [[L. Sprague de Camp]]
−
* [[David C. Cooke]]
+
# [[David C. Cooke]]
−
* [[Charles F. Ksanada]]
+
# [[Charles F. Ksanada]]
−
* [[Norman L. Knight]]
+
# [[Norman L. Knight]]
−
* [[Robert A. Young]]
+
# [[Robert A. Young]]
−
* [[David V. Reed]]
+
# [[David V. Reed]]
−
* [[Ruroy Sibly]]
+
# [[Ruroy Sibly]]
−
* [[Arthur Sidney Johnston|A. S. Johnston]]
+
# [[Arthur Sidney Johnston|A. S. Johnston]]
−
* [[F. E. Hardart]]
+
# [[F. E. Hardart]]
−
* [[Julius Schwartz]]
+
# [[Julius Schwartz]]
−
* [[John Giunta]]
+
# [[John Giunta]]
−
* [[Sam Moskowitz]]
+
# [[Sam Moskowitz]]
−
* [[James V. Taurasi]]
+
# [[James V. Taurasi]]
−
* [[David A. Kyle]]
+
# [[David A. Kyle]]
−
* [[Carl Rachlin]]
+
# [[Carl Rachlin]]
−
* [[William S. Sykora]]
+
# [[William S. Sykora]]
−
* [[Jack Speer]]
+
# [[Jack Speer]]
−
* [[Mario Racic, Jr.]]
+
# [[Mario Racic, Jr.]]
−
* [[Raymond Van Houten]]
+
# [[Raymond Van Houten]]
−
* [[Bill Mosher]]
+
# [[Bill Mosher]]
−
* [[N. Gilbert Dancy]]
+
# [[N. Gilbert Dancy]]
−
* [[Henry Lemaire]]
+
# [[Henry Lemaire]]
−
* [[Oswald Train]]
+
# [[Oswald Train]]
−
* [[Ray Bradbury]]
+
# [[Ray Bradbury]]
−
* [[Betty Cummings]]
+
# [[Betty Cummings]]
−
* [[Francis J. Moroff]]
+
# [[Francis J. Moroff]]
−
* [[Joseph Lipton]]
+
# [[Joseph Lipton]]
−
* [[Myrtle R. Douglas]]
+
# [[Myrtle R. Douglas]]
−
* [[Forrest J Ackerman]]
+
# [[Forrest J Ackerman]]
−
* [[Paul W. Poulson]]
+
# [[Paul W. Poulson]]
−
* [[Eugene Sander]]
+
# [[Eugene Sander]]
−
* [[Norman Spector]]
+
# [[Norman Spector]]
−
* [[Alphonse Grimminger]]
+
# [[Alphonse Grimminger]]
−
* [[Charles Eastabrooks]]
+
# [[Charles Eastabrooks]]
−
* [[Jerry Siegel|Jerome Seigel]]
+
# [[Jerry Siegel|Jerome Seigel]]
−
* [[Sidney Levine]]
+
# [[Sidney Levine]]
−
* [[A. J. Murphy]]
+
# [[A. J. Murphy]]
−
* [[Marvin Weingold]]
+
# [[Marvin Weingold]]
−
* [[Irving Frankel]]
+
# [[Irving Frankel]]
−
* [[Sol Knegov]]
+
# [[Sol Knegov]]
−
* [[Albert Roger]]
+
# [[Albert Roger]]
−
* [[Vida Jameson]]
+
# [[Vida Jameson]]
−
* [[Mark Reinsberg]]
+
# [[Mark Reinsberg]]
−
* [[Israel Krenzel]]
+
# [[Israel Krenzel]]
−
* [[A. W. Lincoff]]
+
# [[A. W. Lincoff]]
−
* [[Scott Feldman]]
+
# [[Scott Feldman]]
−
* [[John V. Baltadonis]]
+
# [[John V. Baltadonis]]
−
* [[Walter Sullivan]]
+
# [[Walter Sullivan]]
−
* [[Gertrude Kuslan]]
+
# [[Gertrude Kuslan]]
−
* [[David Verne]]
+
# [[David Verne]]
−
* [[Louis Kuslan]]
+
# [[Louis Kuslan]]
−
* [[John A. Mellerner]]
+
# [[John A. Mellerner]]
−
* [[George Weinstein]]
+
# [[George Weinstein]]
−
* [[D. De Pass]]
+
# [[D. De Pass]]
−
* [[Frederick Morgan]]
+
# [[Frederick Morgan]]
−
* [[Hyman Tiger]]
+
# [[Hyman Tiger]]
−
* [[Dale Hart]]
+
# [[Dale Hart]]
−
* [[Julius Pohl]]
+
# [[Julius Pohl]]
−
* [[Richard Ogden]]
+
# [[Richard Ogden]]
−
* [[Abe Oshinsky]]
+
# [[Abe Oshinsky]]
−
* [[Robert A. Madle]]
+
# [[Robert A. Madle]]
−
* [[Jack Agnew]]
+
# [[Jack Agnew]]
−
* [[John Rubinson]]
+
# [[John Rubinson]]
−
* [[Julius Unger]]
+
# [[Julius Unger]]
−
* [[Beatrice Unger]]
+
# [[Beatrice Unger]]
−
* [[Franklin Janson]]
+
# [[Franklin Janson]]
−
* [[Robert Studley]]
+
# [[Robert Studley]]
−
* [[Anna Krenzel]]
+
# [[Anna Krenzel]]
−
* [[A. L. Selikowitz]]
+
# [[A. L. Selikowitz]]
−
* [[Leslie Perri]]
+
# [[Leslie Perri]]
−
* [[Allen R. Charpentier]]
+
# [[Allen R. Charpentier]]
−
* [[Richard Wilson]]
+
# [[Richard Wilson]]
−
* [[Edward Weisinger]]
+
# [[Edward Weisinger]]
−
* [[Conrad H. Ruppert]]
+
# [[Conrad H. Ruppert]]
−
* [[Pearl Moskowitz]]
+
# [[Pearl Moskowitz]]
−
* [[Morris Moskowitz]]
+
# [[Morris Moskowitz]]
−
* [[Harry Moskowitz]]
+
# [[Harry Moskowitz]]
−
* [[Wilber J. Widmer]]
+
# [[Wilber J. Widmer]]
−
* [[Herbert Schaefer]]
+
# [[Herbert Schaefer]]
−
* [[Jeannette Reol]]
+
# [[Jeannette Reol]]
−
* [[Herb Goudket]]
+
# [[Herb Goudket]]
−
* [[William H. Dellenback]]
+
# [[William H. Dellenback]]
−
* [[J. Lacker]]
+
# [[J. Lacker]]
−
* [[Jack Darrow]]
+
# [[Jack Darrow]]
−
* [[Julius Pohl, Jr.]]
+
# [[Julius Pohl, Jr.]]
−
* [[Joe Kucera]]
+
# [[Joe Kucera]]
−
* [[Robert A. McCarthy]]
+
# [[Robert A. McCarthy]]
−
* [[L. H. J. Ubuear]]
+
# [[L. H. J. Ubuear]]
−
* [[Bernice Keller]]
+
# [[Bernice Keller]]
−
* [[Millie Taurasi]]
+
# [[Millie Taurasi]]
−
* [[Frances Helen Sykora|Frances Sykora]]
+
# [[Frances Helen Sykora|Frances Sykora]]
−
* [[Frances Alberti Sykora|Frances Alberti]]
+
# [[Frances Alberti Sykora|Frances Alberti]]
−
* [[Rose Alberti]]
+
# [[Rose Alberti]]
−
* [[Margaret Skiffington]]
+
# [[Margaret Skiffington]]
−
* [[Bill Stockton]]
+
# [[Bill Stockton]]
−
* [[Leonard Levy]]
+
# [[Leonard Levy]]
−
* [[William Smith]]
+
# [[William Smith]]
−
* [[Robert G. Thompson]]
+
# [[Robert G. Thompson]]
−
* [[Ann Racic]]
+
# [[Ann Racic]]
−
* [[Carmen Maris]]
+
# [[Carmen Maris]]
−
* Mr. & Mrs. [[M. Racic]]
+
# Mr. & Mrs. [[M. Racic]]
−
* Mr. & Mrs. [[C. Sykora]]
+
# Mr. & Mrs. [[C. Sykora]]
−
* Mr. & Mrs. [[D. Alberti]]
+
# Mr. & Mrs. [[D. Alberti]]
−
* [[Murray Theaman]]
+
# [[Murray Theaman]]
−
* [[Langley Searles]]
+
# [[Langley Searles]]
−
* [[Leonard Myers]]
+
# [[Leonard Myers]]
−
* [[Isadore Flauenbaum]]
+
# [[Isadore Flauenbaum]]
−
* [[Arthur Young]]
+
# [[Arthur Young]]
−
* [[Arthur Ford]]
+
# [[Arthur Ford]]
−
* [[Betty Keat]]
+
# [[Betty Keat]]
−
* [[Ruth Cuher]]
+
# [[Ruth Cuher]]
−
* [[Frances N. Swisher]]
+
# [[Frances N. Swisher]]
−
* [[Doña Campbell|Mrs. J. W. Campbell, Jr.]]
+
# [[Doña Campbell|Mrs. J. W. Campbell, Jr.]]
−
* Mr. & Mrs. [[Insana]]
+
# Mr. & Mrs. [[Insana]]
−
* [[Rudolpha Catherine Rigelsen Paul|Mrs. Frank R. Paul]]
+
# [[Rudolpha Catherine Rigelsen Paul|Mrs. Frank R. Paul]]
−
* [[Joan Paul]]
+
# [[Joan Paul]]
−
* [[Patricia Ann Paul]]
+
# [[Patricia Ann Paul]]
−
* [[Leon Burg]]
+
# [[Leon Burg]]
−
* [[David Charney]]
+
# [[David Charney]]
−
* [[Warren D. Woolsey]]
+
# [[Warren D. Woolsey]]
−
* [[Harry Dockweiler]]
+
# [[Harry Dockweiler]]
−
* [[Thomas Stats]]
+
# [[Thomas Stats]]
−
* [[George Herman]]
+
# [[George Herman]]
−
* [[Eldred Mendyk]]
+
# [[Eldred Mendyk]]
−
* [[Henry Dowds]]  
+
# [[Henry Dowds]]  
−
* [[Mary Jameson]]
+
# [[Mary Jameson]]
−
* [[Arthur L. Widner]]
+
# [[Arthur L. Widner]]
−
* [[Harry Harrison]]
+
# [[Harry Harrison]]
−
* [[Kenneth Rohan]]
+
# [[Kenneth Rohan]]
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
 
===Recorded elsewhere as having attended:===
 
===Recorded elsewhere as having attended:===
−
* [[Joe Christoff]]
+
# [[Joe Christoff]]
−
* [[William H. Groveman]]
+
# [[William H. Groveman]]
−
* [[V. Kidwell]]
+
# [[V. Kidwell]]
−
* [[Erle Korshak]]
+
# [[Erle Korshak]]
−
* [[Ken Krueger]]
+
# [[Ken Krueger]]
−
* [[Jack Newton]]
+
# [[Jack Newton]]
−
* [[Pete Racic]]
+
# [[Pete Racic]]
−
* [[Bobby Wright]]
+
# [[Bobby Wright]]
−
* [[Farnsworth Wright]]
+
# [[Farnsworth Wright]]
−
* [[Marjorie Z. Wright]]
+
# [[Marjorie Z. Wright]]
  
−
===Excluded from the convention:===
+
=== Excluded from the convention ===
−
* [[Cyril Kornbluth]]
+
See [[Exclusion Act]].
−
* [[Donald A. Wollheim]]
+
 
−
* [[Fred Pohl]]
+
# [[Cyril Kornbluth]]
−
* [[John B. Michel]]
+
# [[Donald A. Wollheim]]
−
* [[Robert Lowndes]]
+
# [[Fred Pohl]]
−
* [[Jack Gillespie]]
+
# [[John B. Michel]]
 +
# [[Robert Lowndes]]
 +
# [[Jack Gillespie]]
  
 
===Boosters===
 
===Boosters===
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==Futurian Conference ==
 
==Futurian Conference ==
−
A [[conference]] held on Tuesday, July 4, 1939, the third day of the Nycon, while many of the Worldcon attendees were playing a [[Softball Game|softball game]] on Flushing Flats. The [[Futurians]], most of whom had been banned from the Worldcon, and their sympathizers held their own free mini-[[con]] in [[Brooklyn]]. They discussed the [[Exclusion Act]] and [[Michelism]].
+
A [[conference]] held on Tuesday, July 4, 1939, the third day of the Nycon, while many of the Worldcon attendees were playing the [[Softball Game]] on Flushing Flats. The [[Futurians]], most of whom had been banned from the Worldcon, and their sympathizers held their own free [[mini-con]] in [[Brooklyn]]. They discussed the [[Exclusion Act]] and [[Michelism]].
  
 
{{fancy1 | text=
 
{{fancy1 | text=
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==More Reading==
 
==More Reading==
−
* {{conpubs |series=Worldcon|con=Nycon}}.  
+
* {{conpubs |series=Worldcon|con=Nycon I}}.  
 
* [[Illustrated Nycon Review]].  
 
* [[Illustrated Nycon Review]].  
−
* {{link | website=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebzRkm6HyQA|text=Video}} of [[panel]]sits at [[MagiCon]] panelists reminiscing.  
+
* {{link | website=https://youtube.com/watch?v=ebzRkm6HyQA|text=Video}} of [[panel]]ists at [[MagiCon]] panelists reminiscing.  
 
* [[Caravan Hall|David Dorman's search for traces of Caravan Hall]].  
 
* [[Caravan Hall|David Dorman's search for traces of Caravan Hall]].  
 
* [[Noreascon Three]] printed reminiscences of NYCon by a number of attendees in its [[PB]]:
 
* [[Noreascon Three]] printed reminiscences of NYCon by a number of attendees in its [[PB]]:
Line 235: Line 244:
 
** [[Nycon 1 Reminiscence (Moskowitz)|Sam Moskowitz]]
 
** [[Nycon 1 Reminiscence (Moskowitz)|Sam Moskowitz]]
 
*Other con reports:
 
*Other con reports:
−
**[http://web.archive.org/web/20080906184034/https://time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,761661-1,00.html “Amazing! Astounding!”] ''Time'' magazine, July 10, 1939.
+
**[https://web.archive.org/web/20080906184034/https://time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,761661-1,00.html “Amazing! Astounding!”] ''Time'' magazine, July 10, 1939. (Also: [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-times-scientification-fans-mee/125117526/ “‘Scientification’ Fans Meet,”] Owen Sound Daily Sun-Times, July 13, 1939, p. 4.)
 
** [https://www.fanac.org/fanzines/Satellite/Satellite11.pdf “The New York Convention”] by [[Louis Kuslan]], ''[[The Satellite]]'' Vol. 2, No. 8 (August 1939, p. 3).  
 
** [https://www.fanac.org/fanzines/Satellite/Satellite11.pdf “The New York Convention”] by [[Louis Kuslan]], ''[[The Satellite]]'' Vol. 2, No. 8 (August 1939, p. 3).  
−
** [http://www.fanac.org/fanzines/New_Fandom/New_Fandom06.pdf Uncredited report], ''[[New Fandom]]'' 6 (January 1940, p. 4).
+
** [https://www.fanac.org/fanzines/New_Fandom/New_Fandom06.pdf Uncredited report], ''[[New Fandom]]'' 6 (January 1940, p. 4).
−
** [https://efanzines.com/1939Nycon/Fifth-Convention-Report.pdf “The ‘Fifth’ (World's Fair) Convention”] by [[Jack Robins]], 1940.  
+
** [https://efanzines.com/1939Nycon/Fifth-Convention-Report.pdf “The ‘Fifth’ (World's Fair) Convention”] by [[Jack Robins]], 1940 ([https://fanac.org/fanzines/1940s_One_Shots/_world_s_fair_convention_robins_1940-12_fapa_14.pdf another copy] at Fanac.org)
 
** {{link | website=https://eFanzines.com/1939Nycon|text=Conreps at eFanzines}}.
 
** {{link | website=https://eFanzines.com/1939Nycon|text=Conreps at eFanzines}}.
−
** [http://www.jophan.org/mimosa/m06/kyle.htm “The Great Exclusion Act of 1939”] by [[Dave Kyle]], ''[[Mimosa]]'' 6 (April 1989).
+
** [https://www.jophan.org/mimosa/m06/kyle.htm “The Great Exclusion Act of 1939”] by [[Dave Kyle]], ''[[Mimosa]]'' 6 (April 1989).
−
** [http://www.jophan.org/mimosa/m22/kyle.htm “Caravan to the Stars”] by [[Dave Kyle]], ''[[Mimosa]]'' 22 (June 1998).
+
** [https://www.jophan.org/mimosa/m22/kyle.htm “Caravan to the Stars”] by [[Dave Kyle]], ''[[Mimosa]]'' 22 (June 1998).
  
 
{{fancy2|text=
 
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The First [[World Science-Fiction Convention]] in [[New York]] in 1939; called originally by its enemies who denied that it was a "world" [[convention]], the name was generally adopted after the [[Chicon]]. The enemies of WSFC committee also called it the World's Fair Science-Fiction Convention, 1939 being the first year of the NY Worlds fair.  
 
The First [[World Science-Fiction Convention]] in [[New York]] in 1939; called originally by its enemies who denied that it was a "world" [[convention]], the name was generally adopted after the [[Chicon]]. The enemies of WSFC committee also called it the World's Fair Science-Fiction Convention, 1939 being the first year of the NY Worlds fair.  
 
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{{convention | series=Worldcon | year=1939 | after=Chicon |series1=New York Worldcons|after1=NyCon II}}
 
{{convention | series=Worldcon | year=1939 | after=Chicon |series1=New York Worldcons|after1=NyCon II}}

Latest revision as of 07:59, 3 March 2025

NyconArt.jpeg
Nycon Program Book heading by Frank R. Paul, courtesy of Thrilling Wonder Stories.
Cardboard placard displayed in New York City just before Nycon. Printed by Conrad H. Ruppert, a 1930s fan noted for the excellence of his publications.

The first Worldcon was held Sunday, July 2 – Tuesday, July 4, 1939, at Caravan Hall in New York. GoH: Frank R. Paul. Chairman: Sam Moskowitz.

The organizers of the 1939 Worldcon simply called it the "World Science Fiction Convention." It was subsequently called "Nycon" (a nickname Forry Ackerman claimed to have coined) and "The 1939 Worldcon." "Fifth Eastern" was tagged on it by detractors. About 200 fans attended.

The convention was controlled by a so-called 'Ruling Triumvirate' of Moskowitz, William S. Sykora and James V. Taurasi. In the Exclusion Act (which see), they kept some Futurians from attending after a long history of feuding between their club and the concom, exacerbated when Dave Kyle (who wasn’t banned) anonymously created A Warning!, a somewhat incendiary pamflet. He had hidden the copies, but the Triumvirs found it.

One event held at the First Worldcon did not become a Tradition, as it was repeated only at the Chicon: the Softball Game.

NYCon did not select a site for the next Worldcon — it had not occurred to the NYCon committee that it could possibly be an annual event. But fandom loved it, and a few months later, at Philcon 1939, the fans present voted to hold another Worldcon in 1940 in Chicago. See 1940 Worldcon Site Selection.

The convention drew disdainful coverage from Time magazine, whose uncredited reporter called the teenaged fen the “jitterbugs of the pulp magazine field,” and made “goshwowoboyoboy” a fannish catchphrase.

See also New York Worldcons and Early Conventions.

Members[edit]

Fans took the opportunity to visit Coney Island, where this foto-op took place. Front, from left: Mark Reinsberg, Jack Agnew, Ross Rocklynne. Rear: Vincent Kidwell, Robert A. Madle, Erle Korshak, Ray Bradbury, July 4, 1939. Courtesy of Robert Madle.

It is difficult these days when there are fans of all ages to appreciate how young fandom was in 1939. Here is a table of ages of major figures during the First Worldcon:

Sam Moskowitz (the chairman!) 19
Donald A. Wollheim 25
John W. Campbell, Jr. 29
Robert A. Heinlein 32
James V. Taurasi 22
Bob Tucker 25
Jack Speer 19
Dave Kyle 20
Fred Pohl 20
Isaac Asimov 19
E. E. Smith (the old man!) 49

Nycon 1 had a list of members, but it was neither accurate nor complete. Not accurate, because many people signed up with pseudonyms -- in some cases more than one. Not complete in that an estimated 50 people didn't sign in at all! (The $1 membership fee, while not insignificant to those poverty-stricken young people, was not a major source of convention income, so there was little attempt to get everyone to pay.)

This list was published in Julius Unger's Fantasy Fiction Field Nycon Review (June 1942; see online). New Fandom 6 (January 1940, p. 10) also contained a partial list. We have added names for which there is evidence of their attendance.

  1. Charles D. Hornig
  2. Harl Vincent
  3. Nelson S. Bond
  4. L. A. Eschbach
  5. R. D. Swisher
  6. Otto Binder
  7. Jack Williamson
  8. Ross Rocklynne
  9. John D. Clark, PH.D
  10. Manly Wade Wellman
  11. Edmond Hamilton
  12. Ray Cummings
  13. Charles Schneeman
  14. Frank R. Paul
  15. Leo Marguiles
  16. Mort Weisinger
  17. Isaac Asimov
  18. Milton A. Rothman (Lee Gregor)
  19. Malcolm Jameson
  20. John Victor Peterson
  21. Kenneth Sterling
  22. John W. Campbell, Jr.
  23. L. Sprague de Camp
  24. David C. Cooke
  25. Charles F. Ksanada
  26. Norman L. Knight
  27. Robert A. Young
  28. David V. Reed
  29. Ruroy Sibly
  30. A. S. Johnston
  31. F. E. Hardart
  32. Julius Schwartz
  33. John Giunta
  34. Sam Moskowitz
  35. James V. Taurasi
  36. David A. Kyle
  37. Carl Rachlin
  38. William S. Sykora
  39. Jack Speer
  40. Mario Racic, Jr.
  41. Raymond Van Houten
  42. Bill Mosher
  43. N. Gilbert Dancy
  44. Henry Lemaire
  45. Oswald Train
  46. Ray Bradbury
  47. Betty Cummings
  48. Francis J. Moroff
  49. Joseph Lipton
  50. Myrtle R. Douglas
  51. Forrest J Ackerman
  52. Paul W. Poulson
  53. Eugene Sander
  54. Norman Spector
  55. Alphonse Grimminger
  56. Charles Eastabrooks
  57. Jerome Seigel
  58. Sidney Levine
  59. A. J. Murphy
  60. Marvin Weingold
  61. Irving Frankel
  62. Sol Knegov
  63. Albert Roger
  64. Vida Jameson
  65. Mark Reinsberg
  66. Israel Krenzel
  67. A. W. Lincoff
  68. Scott Feldman
  69. John V. Baltadonis
  70. Walter Sullivan
  71. Gertrude Kuslan
  72. David Verne
  73. Louis Kuslan
  74. John A. Mellerner
  75. George Weinstein
  76. D. De Pass
  77. Frederick Morgan
  78. Hyman Tiger
  79. Dale Hart
  80. Julius Pohl
  81. Richard Ogden
  82. Abe Oshinsky
  83. Robert A. Madle
  84. Jack Agnew
  85. John Rubinson
  86. Julius Unger
  87. Beatrice Unger
  88. Franklin Janson
  89. Robert Studley
  90. Anna Krenzel
  91. A. L. Selikowitz
  92. Leslie Perri
  93. Allen R. Charpentier
  94. Richard Wilson
  95. Edward Weisinger
  96. Conrad H. Ruppert
  97. Pearl Moskowitz
  98. Morris Moskowitz
  99. Harry Moskowitz
  100. Wilber J. Widmer
  101. Herbert Schaefer
  102. Jeannette Reol
  103. Herb Goudket
  104. William H. Dellenback
  105. J. Lacker
  106. Jack Darrow
  107. Julius Pohl, Jr.
  108. Joe Kucera
  109. Robert A. McCarthy
  110. L. H. J. Ubuear
  111. Bernice Keller
  112. Millie Taurasi
  113. Frances Sykora
  114. Frances Alberti
  115. Rose Alberti
  116. Margaret Skiffington
  117. Bill Stockton
  118. Leonard Levy
  119. William Smith
  120. Robert G. Thompson
  121. Ann Racic
  122. Carmen Maris
  123. Mr. & Mrs. M. Racic
  124. Mr. & Mrs. C. Sykora
  125. Mr. & Mrs. D. Alberti
  126. Murray Theaman
  127. Langley Searles
  128. Leonard Myers
  129. Isadore Flauenbaum
  130. Arthur Young
  131. Arthur Ford
  132. Betty Keat
  133. Ruth Cuher
  134. Frances N. Swisher
  135. Mrs. J. W. Campbell, Jr.
  136. Mr. & Mrs. Insana
  137. Mrs. Frank R. Paul
  138. Joan Paul
  139. Patricia Ann Paul
  140. Leon Burg
  141. David Charney
  142. Warren D. Woolsey
  143. Harry Dockweiler
  144. Thomas Stats
  145. George Herman
  146. Eldred Mendyk
  147. Henry Dowds
  148. Mary Jameson
  149. Arthur L. Widner
  150. Harry Harrison
  151. Kenneth Rohan

Recorded elsewhere as having attended:[edit]

  1. Joe Christoff
  2. William H. Groveman
  3. Vincent Kidwell
  4. Erle Korshak
  5. Ken Krueger
  6. Jack Newton
  7. Pete Racic
  8. Bobby Wright
  9. Farnsworth Wright
  10. Marjorie Z. Wright

Excluded from the convention[edit]

See Exclusion Act.

  1. Cyril Kornbluth
  2. Donald A. Wollheim
  3. Fred Pohl
  4. John B. Michel
  5. Robert Lowndes
  6. Jack Gillespie

Boosters[edit]

The program book, meanwhile, contains a list of “Scientifictionists” who each paid 25¢ to be included, a way of supporting the convention. Like all such lists at early conventions, there are numerous pseudonymous duplicates, including many names for Forry Ackerman.

Futurian Conference[edit]

A conference held on Tuesday, July 4, 1939, the third day of the Nycon, while many of the Worldcon attendees were playing the Softball Game on Flushing Flats. The Futurians, most of whom had been banned from the Worldcon, and their sympathizers held their own free mini-con in Brooklyn. They discussed the Exclusion Act and Michelism.

From Fancyclopedia 1, ca. 1944
From Conference – Third day of the Nycon, where most of the attendees were playing softball on Flushing Flats, the Futurians and their sympathizers met in a Futurian Conference. They discussed the Exclusion Act and Michelism.

More Reading[edit]

From Fancyclopedia 2, ca. 1959
from Convention NYCon I was held in New York 2-4 July under the auspices of New Fandom as the World Science Fiction Convention, "First" being added later. (Annual Worldcons were not at first contemplated; idea and site for the ChiCon were not formally approved by fans till the PhilCo later this year.) With a total attendance of 200, it was the largest before World War II ended major conventions. It set the pattern for subsequent conventions lasting more than one day, but was marred by the Exclusion Act. The name of NYCon (or "Fifth Eastern") was tagged on it by the Wollheimists to downgrade the claim implicit in "World", but after the ChiCon such portmanteau-names were always used.
From Fancyclopedia 1, ca. 1944
The First World Science-Fiction Convention in New York in 1939; called originally by its enemies who denied that it was a "world" convention, the name was generally adopted after the Chicon. The enemies of WSFC committee also called it the World's Fair Science-Fiction Convention, 1939 being the first year of the NY Worlds fair.
first Worldcon - Bidding - Hugos Chicon
first New York Worldcons NyCon II
1939
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