Woolwich Science Fiction and Vargo Statten Appreciation Society
The Woolwich Science Fiction and Vargo Statten Appreciation Society was a 'not-terribly serious group' (Rob Hansen, Then) fl. 1953 consisting of Daphne and Ron Buckmaster with Bob Shaw.
Woolwich is a borough in southeastern London on the Thames. The Buckmasters lived there in married quarters at the barracks and Shaw worked in the area, living in England from mid-1952 to 'the end of the year' (frustratingly, Then is Ambiguous in the context, which may be both 1953 and 1954). For some understanding of the rest of the joke, try seeing Vargo Statten or even Vargo Statten Science Fiction Magazine (launched, however, only in January 1954, so actually preceded by the Society).
Operation Armageddon (the fanzine, or Bulletin One) mentions the VSAFS attending a planning session in October 1953 (where one act of sabotage would consist of 'Visiting cards bearing insulting/fannish messages, such as … "I like Vargo Statten"'). Another article on the Operation, reprinted from Eye 2 (1954) in Potlatch 2 (1971), reiterated the name in the same context and even more obscure detail: 'the Woolwich Science Fiction and Vargo Statten Appreciation Society (with which was incorporated the Plumstead Flat-Earth Club)'. Plumstead is just east of Woolwich, best identifiable as the address of Ted Carnell and his specialty shop, also Vincent Clarke lived just a bit further in Welling; and it is also quite possible that Bob Shaw is actually meant here (his London address should findable somewhere, right?).
That's the extent of what is known.
| Club | 1953 |
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