British SF Conventions Volume 1

With any luck the title will be self-explanatory. As in other such fanhistorical compilations, the story of these early UK conventions is told in the participants’ and observers’ own words, with explanatory and bridging commentary by Rob Hansen himself. A second volume will continue the saga to 1957, and the already published *1957: The First UK Worldcon* is volume three.

The cover photo from the London Festivention (1951) shows the editors of six of the seven fanzines then being published in the UK. From left to right: Mike Tealby (*Wonder*), Derek Pickles (*Phantasmagoria*), Fred Robinson (*Straight Up*), Walt Willis (*Slant*), Bob Foster (*Sludge*), Vince Clarke and Ken Bulmer (*Science Fantasy News*).

First published as an Ansible Editions ebook for the TAFF site on 1 June 2023. Approximately 63,000 words.