TAFF DOOR #2

This is TAFF DOOR #2, a newsletter for the Trans-Atlantic Fan Fund published in January 1991 by North American administrator, Robert Lichtman, P. O. Box 30, Glen Ellen, CA 95442 USA. This issue accompanies the 1991 TAFF ballot and is being sent to about 650 fans, mostly in North America but also elsewhere. TAFF DOOR #3 will be out in late May 1991. It will announce the winner of the 1991 TAFF race, provide details of the voting, and announce the opening of nominations for the next race. [Artwork by ATom]

1991 TAFF Race is On!

Included with this issue is the 1991 TAFF ballot. Three candidates are seeking to become the Fund's delegate to attend the 1991 Worldcon in Chicago this fall. Please note that your vote must reach one of the administrators by May 15, 1991. Before voting, please read both sides of the ballot carefully, especially if you have not voted in a TAFF election before.

The voting fee has been brought to parity, a long overdue change. The pound rate remains the same (£1), but the dollar rate goes to $2. Given the current exchange rate, this puts both the voting fee and the bond rate within pennies of parity. Seems fair. In addition, the bond posted by the candidates has increased from $10/£5 to $20/£10. It has been many years since either voting or bond fees have been increased; a consensus to make this change emerged in correspondence and personal contact with many of TAFF's friends and supporters.

So far this series of newsletters has been pretty bare-bones ("Just the facts, ma'am"); I haven't waxed philosophical except in the closing paragraph of #1.1, which I will quote since fewer than 10% of you who are reading this got that issue: "TAFF has no existence outside the minds of fen. It only continues to exist and to fulfill its mandate because of a widespread and jointly-held belief throughout large segments of fandom in its modest goal of furthering contact between the fandoms on both sides of the Atlantic." From my point of view, this sums up TAFF's purpose and puts it into perspective, and I can add no more.

Anyone who wishes to reproduce and distribute this ballot is encouraged to do so. The more possible voters, the better.

LOOKING AHEAD

... to 1992, here is the schedule of the TAFF race to follow this one, which will send a delegate from North America to the 43rd British National Science Fiction Convention (Eastercon), being called "Illumination" and taking place at the Norbreck Castle Hotel in Blackpool on the west coast of northern England.

Nominations open: June 15, 1991
Nominations close: August 15, 1991
Ballots available: September 6, 1991
Voting deadline: December 31, 1991
Eastercon: April 17-20, 1992

Results of First Mail Auction

Most items received more than one bid, though some escaped with no bids and are being reoffered.

1. The Roots of Fantasy: Myth, Folklore & Archetype: There were two copies available. Gloria Albasi's $30 bid wins the shrinkwrapped one, while Gary K. Louie may obtain the unwrapped (but pristine) copy for $25.

2. ALGOL No. 16, December 1970: Richard Brandt takes this for his bid of $15.

3. THE SATELLITE: The four issues (including No. 1) of this late '30s British fanzine go to Joe Sokola at $40.

4. Walt Willis fanzines: This batch of three small zines from early '50s goes to Craig Smith who made a $33 bid.

5. BEABOHEMA No. 9 goes to Craig Smith, also, for the unusual amount of $14.50.

6b. DREAM QUEST No. 6, July 1948: This one goes to Craig Smith, who bid $23.

8. Minneapolis in '73 button won by Karen Cooper for $3. No one bid on the 20-button collection this round.

9. FOCAL POINT No. 10, June 1965, and No. 19, January 1966. Richard Brandt takes them for the minimum bid of $4.

12. DIASPAR No. 17, November 1975: Won by Richard Brandt with a $10 minimum bid.

16. FANTHOLOGY '64: Spirited bidding on this item, which was won by Karen Cooper with a $25 offer.

21. GILGAMESH No. 69, July 1985: Craig Smith wins again with a $5 minimum bid.

22. HOBGOBLIN No. 4, January 1960: Craig gets this one too for his $2 minimum bid.

24b. MOTA No. 26, November 1978: David Bratman wins this with his $10 minimum bid.

25. Mexicon 2 -- The Fanzine: Gloria Albasi was the successful bidder at $8.

26. EMBRYONIC JOURNEY, a 1987 British fanthology: David Bratman was the successful bidder at $15.

27. Mexicon I Program Book, 1984: Robert Runte wins this volume for his $10 bid.

28a. PULP No. 1, June 1986: Won by Craig Smith with his eccentric but successful $14.50 bid.

30. IZZARD No. 9, February 1987: The most spirited bidding of all was for this item. Carol Springs emerged victorious with her $52 offer.

Individual winners are being contacted directly. Congratulations to all winners above, who have some good fanzine reading ahead of them, and thanks to all who participated.

New Mail Auction

This first lot consists of the items left over from the first auction, now reoffered at new, lower minimum bids.

1. A collection of fannish buttons spanning three decades, this 20-button collection includes the legendary Minneapolis in '73 button as well as a handmade button from 1968 with original artwork by Bjo Trimble, and 18 others (one of which is, simply, "FIJAGH" -- see TAFF DOOR #1 or write for a complete description of all buttons). New minimum bid: $15.

2. MOTA No. 25, May 1978, 22 pages. Edited by Terry Hughes, who writes his editorial and responds to letters. Contributions by Dan Steffan (the cover), Gary Deindorfer, Michael Dobson, Boyd Raeburn. Hot stuff! Minimum: $5.

3. DIASPAR No. 22, June 1981, 37 pages. Editorial writing by Terry, contributions from James Sackett, Melissa Michaels & Lois Metzger. Minimum bid: $3.

4. GILGAMESH No. 44, September 1972, 7 pages. First issue after moving back to California describes finding Broadway Terrace digs and reprints interview from local paper. Terry also writes about LACon I. New minimum bid on this issue: $4.

5. GILGAMESH No. 53, June 1978, 10 pages. Writes about early ambition to be a cartoonist & includes some samples; various gossip and stuff. Minimum bid: $4.

6. GILGAMESH No. 65, August 1983, 12 pages, mostly reporting on the San Jose Westercon. Minimum: $5.

7. GILGAMESH No. 66, January 1984, 16 pages. Writes about a visit with Sidney Coleman; shares impressions of recent reading; describes his relationship with Bridge Publications. New minimum bid: $5.

A. ANSIBLE, a complete set of all 50 issues of Dave Langford's news and views fanzine spanning the period from August 1979 through September 1987. All are in excellent condition. Three issues (Nos. 1, 11 & 12) were carefully photocopied (matching the original paper colors) but all others are originals. An inimitable and very humorous survey of fan history in the making. Langford hasn't won two fanwriter Hugos undeservedly. Minimum bid: $50.

B. Robert Bloch, The Eighth Stage of Fandom: Advent:Publishers, Chicago (1962), 176 pages. This is a delightful collection of Bloch's fanzine writings from the '40s and '50s, with an introduction by Bob Tucker. This copy is No. 31 of a 125-copy hardcover "Collector's Edition" issued to commemorate the 1962 Chicago Worldcon. (Of these, only Nos. 26-125 were offered for sale.) It is signed by the author and is in near-mint condition, as issued without dust jacket. One rare book dealer advised me that if he had one to offer, he would list it at $150-$175 based on my description. Minimum bid here: $100.

C. FOULER No. 7, September 1972, 30 pages. Legendary and scarce Ratfandom fanzine, edited by Leroy Kettle and Greg Pickersgill, who do the lion's share of the writing therein between them as well. Other contributors include Ian Maule, John Piggott and John Brosnan. Six pages of Pickersgill fanzine reviews. Petulant letter from Charles Platt with acid Pickersgill reply. And more. Minimum bid for well-preserved copy: $15.

D. The Incompleat Terry Carr Volume 1: This is the original version as published in 1972 under the able editorship of rich brown and Arnie Katz. This 60-page Twiltone volume has covers by Ross Chamberlain; all interior artwork is by Terry Carr. Contains a selection of nine of Terry's articles and faan fiction stories, even a play ("My Fair Femmefan"). This copy is in excellent shape. Minimum bid: $10.

E. The Enchanted Duplicator by Walt Willis & Bob Shaw. This is the 1971 edition published by rich brown and Arnie Katz, with covers and heavily-illustrated interiors by Ross Chamberlain. Other than the original 1954 publication, this is my favorite of the various editions. A near-mint copy. Minimum bid: $12.

F. TANDEM No. 1, edited by Arnie & Joyce Katz sometime in 1972. This 65-page fanzine starts out with a three-page Ross Chamberlain cartoon cover in the style of the old VOID covers. Contents include contributions from both editors, Bob Shaw, Grant Canfield, Susan Wood, John Alderson and Harry Warner Jr. Terry Carr presents an "Entropy Reprint" of Laney's "A Fabulous Burbee-Like Character." Lots of interior art by artists too numerous to mention. Mimeo'd on still-supple green Twiltone. Minimum bid: $12.

G. FOCAL POINT No. 12.5, the Special Bob Shaw Issue, published by rich brown and Arnie Katz in 1971. This 50-page fanzine contains original contributions from Redd Boggs, Calvin Demmon, Ted White, Steve Stiles, Colleen Brown, rich and Arnie. These items would constitute a good fanzine on their own, especially with the covers by Jay Kinney and Joe Staton, who also contribute interiors along with ATom, Rotsler and Steve Stiles. But there are also some choice reprints: Bob Shaw's "Fansmanship Lectures"; "No Moving Parts" by G. Gordon Dewey (a fanciful article about a story tightener); and my favorite post-Armageddon story, "Big Name Fan" by Charles Burbee. This copy is in excellent condition. Minimum bid: $12.

There will be two rounds of bidding on these items (both new and carry-over). First round bids must reach me by May 15, 1991. (If you want to be informed of any bids higher than yours, send an SASE or postcard with your bid.) They will be published in TAFF DOOR #3, which will also have the results of this TAFF race. Please note: That issue will be sent only to voters in the TAFF election, participants in this auction, and anyone else who sends a long SASE.

Thanks to A. Vincent Clarke, Don Franson, Rob Hansen & Arnie Katz for this issue's new auction items. TAFF continues to solicit donations for future fanzine/stfnal auctions and sales. Drop me a line if you have something to offer.

ALSO AVAILABLE

Fanzine enthusiasts and collectors please note: Besides these auction items, the North American branch of TAFF also has a variety of fanzines and other fannish & stfnal artifacts for sale. Your own personally laser-printed copy of this frequently updated list is available for a long SASE or $1 (for overseas fans -- sent airmail).

Also for sale: Walt Willis' The Enchantment, an account of his & Madeleine's trip to America in 1988 when they were Fan GoHs at Tropicon, in Florida. This 36-page volume contains numerous photographs, plus art by Lee Hoffman, Gail Bennett, Alexis Gilliland and ATom. Copies still available for $4 postpaid ($5 non-U.S.).

Two-pound Fanzine Sample parcels are still available for $5 postpaid ($6 non-U.S.). These consist of an assortment of fanzines published during the last 10 years or so.

The sales list mentioned above is included with all orders for The Enchantment or Fanzine Sample parcels. You can enjoy recent and older fanzines while helping to support TAFF.