A TIE
IT’S NO USE. I’ve tried hard, but even after counting
the ballot forms three times, I’ve got to admit that the unlikely
event of a tie for first place in the Best Fan Publication section
of the SKYRACK 1963 Poll has indeed occurred. SKYRACK and HYPHEN
are joint leaders with 191 points each, though I’ve tried hard to
slip in a few extra points for SKY here and there!
The actual return was disappointing. 29 worthy fans voted, a
slightly larger number than last year, but it should be remembered
that over 200 forms were distributed this year, the OMPA mailing
being circulated in addition to SKYRACK’s mailing list of 160 list.
The top three fanzines were in the lead from the first ballot papers
in, though the actual lead changed hands several times. The 28 good
people who voted, apart from myself, were: Brian Aldiss, Jill Adams,
John Baxter, Sid Birchby, Redd Boggs, Terry Bull, Ken Cheslin, Buck
Coulson, Tony Dupla, John Foyster, Colin Freeman, Keith Freeman,
Phil Harbottle, John-Henri Holmberg, Terry Jeeves, Eddie Jones,
Ethel Lindsay, Jhim Linwood, Ken McIntyre, Archie Mercer, Michael
Moorcock, Ella Parker, John Roles, Dick Schultz, Norman Shorrock,
Peter Singleton, Charles Smith and Desmond Squire. Special thanks
are due to Sid Birchby, Ethel Lindsay, Ella Parker and Norman Shorrock
whose names have been on this listing for every one of the five
SKYRACK polls.
The actual meagre return forces one to ask the question, “Is
there any point in continuing with the poll in future years?” and
opinions are solicited on this matter.
It was the intention, following the clean sweep in former ballots
of BASTION covers carrying the Best Cover section, to announce that
BASTION 4 had won the same section this year too, despite the fact
that the magazine made no appearance in 1963. The temptation was
resisted.
SKYRACK first appeared on 4th. April 1959, following the
BSFA con held in Birmingham.
THE 1963 SKYRACK POLL, covering the field of British fan
activity during the entire year, January- December, 1963.
THE BEST BRITISH FAN PUBLICATION OF 1963
1. HYPHEN (Walt Willis, 170 Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast 4,
N. Ireland. 1/- or 15¢. Irregular) 191 points. 2nd last year. THE
SKYRACK NEWSLETTER. 191 points. 1st last year. 3. LES SPINGE
(Dave Hale, 12 Belmont Rd., Wollescote, Stourbridge, Worcs. 1/-.
Irregular but frequent) 148 points. 6th last year. 4. SCOTTISHE
(Ethel Lindsay, Courage House, 6 Langley Ave., Surbiton, Surrey.
1/9 or 25¢. Quarterly) 96 points. 5th last year. 5. VECTOR
(Official organ of the BSFA. Edited last year by Jimmy Groves and
then by Archie Mercer) 95 points. 7th last year 6. SCRIBBLE (Colin
Freeman, Ward 3, Scotton Banks, Knaresborough, Yorkshire. 6d or
10¢. Infrequent of late) 68 points. 8th last year. 7. POT
POURRI (John Berry, 31 Campbell Park Avenue, Belmont, Belfast 4,
N. Ireland. Published for SAPS) 64 points. 15th last year. 8.
ZENITH (Peter Weston, 9 Porlock Crescent, Northfield, Birmingham
31. 1/- or 20¢. Very frequent). 59 points. Unplaced last year. 9.
SQUEAK (Tony Glynn, 144 Beresford Street, Manchester 14. Unpriced.
One issue only) 56 points. Unplaced last year. 10. TENSOR (Lang
Jones, 36 Winscombe Crescent, Ealing, London W.5. 1/- or 15¢.
Irregular.) 51 points. Unplaced last year.
Out of last year’s top ten are Eric Bentcliffe’s and Norman Shorrock’s
BASTION, Ella Parker’s ORION and PARKER’S PEREGRINATIONS and Bobbie
Gray’s OMPAzine, VAGARY.
Runners-up this year are: 11. ASTOUNDING CHECKLIST (Jeeves) and
THE SCARR (Charters) each with 47 points, as is Hunter’s OUTPOST,
14. THE PETERBOROUGH CONVENTION BOOKLET (produced by Eddie Jones)
with 35 points, 15. Roy Kay’s CHAOS with 29 points, 16. ENFOCADO
(26 points), 17. POINTS OF VIEW/BEYOND (23 pts), 18. ROT (22pts),
19. THE BSFA LIBRARY LIST (21 pts) and equal 20. ICARUS and THE
JOHN RUSSELL FEARN APPRECIATION, each with 15 points.
It is realised that any fanzine which conducts a poll is going
to have returns weighted in its favour, and accordingly this poll
must be seen to be a moral victory, at the very least, for HYPHEN
whose publishing staff wins everyone’s most deserved congratulations.
THE BEST INDIVIDUAL FANZINE FEATURE OF 1963 For the
third year in succession, 13 different items were listed, though
this year there was no tie in this section, the Willis’ convention
report ‘The Harp Stateside’ in HYPHEN winning hands down.
THE BEST FAN COLUMN OF 1963 Now here there was a tie,
as in 1960. Brian Varley’s ‘Machiavarley’ column tied with Walt
Willis’ ‘Warblings’, both columns appearing in SCOTTISHE.
THE BEST FAN ARTIST OF 1963 Once again, the big three
took the first three places, the section being won for the fifth
year in succession by Arthur Thomson (13 points). 2nd was Eddie
Jones (8 pts) and third was Jim Cawthorn (6 pts).
the best fanzine cover of 1963 (yes, it should be capitalised) Jim
Cawthorn’s illustration for the cover of LES SPINGE 11 won hands
down.
THE YEAR’S BEST FANZINE REPORT It should surprise no
one to learn that Walt Willis’ Chicon report in HYPHEN came in streets
ahead of every other report, polling more votes than all other entries
together.
THE BEST PROFESSIONAL MAGAZINE OF 1963 The winner of
the previous four polls was here pushed into second place, being
beaten by its sister magazine. 1. SCIENCE FANTASY. 2. NEW WORLDS.
THE YEAR’S BEST PROFESSIONAL FEATURE Once again this
proved to be a popular section in the poll, with no fewer than eighteen
stories and featured being listed. For the second year running,
this section was won by the GUEST EDITORIALS in NEW WORLDS.
THE BEST PROFESSIONAL WRITER OF 1963 Brian Aldiss won
this section for the second year in succession, polling twice as
many votes as did his nearest rival, J. G. Ballard.
LEADING FAN PERSONALITY OF 1963 Again, hardly a surprise
here, with “Doc” Weir Award winner Archie Mercer taking first place
to Ethel Lindsay’s second.
THE BEST BRITISH WRITER OF 1963 1. Walt Willis (75
points) Retains his first place of the last two years 2. John
Berry (44 points) Retains his second place of the last two years. 3.
Brian Varley (29 points) 5th last year, jointly with Colin Freeman. 4.
Colin Freeman (24 points) joint 5th last year with Brian Varley. 5.
Archie Mercer (22 points) 9th last year, jointly 6. Fred Hunter
(20 points) Joint 9th last year. Ethel Lindsay (20 points) 3rd
last year. 8. Ron Bennett (11 points) Unplaced last year. 9.
George Locke (10 points) 7th last year. That’s what pro=writing
does! 10. Philip Harbottle (8 points) Unplaced last year.
Out of last year’s top ten rating are those sadly missed ladies,
Ella Parker and Bobbie Gray.
Once again, that’s it for another year. And many thanks indeed
to all who voted. Several of you asked for a complete listing of
past winners, so briefly, here it is.
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1959
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1960
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1961
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1962
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1963
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Fanzine
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Aporrheta
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Orion
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The Atom Anthology
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Skyrack
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Hyphen/Skyrack
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Fan Feature
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The Goon Goes West
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How To Draw Curly Monsters/T.G.G.W.
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How I See It
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How I See It/Natterings/HYPHEN quotes
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The Willis Con report
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Fan Column
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Inchmery Fan Diary
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Specs/I.F.D.
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The Harp that Once or Twice
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Scribblings
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Machiavarley/Warblings
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Fan Artist
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Atom
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Atom
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Atom
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Atom
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Atom
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Fanzine Cover
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Aporrheta(AT)
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Bastion(EJ)
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Bastion(EJ)
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Bastion(EJ)
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Spinge(JC)
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Fan Report
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Goon goes West
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Berry/Parker/Mercer
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Aldiss & Heaven Too
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Parker's Peregrinations
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Willis in Hyphen
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Pro-mag
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New Worlds
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New Worlds
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New Worlds
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New Worlds
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Science Fantasy
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Pro-feature
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-
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-
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New Worlds
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Guest Editorials
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-Pro-writer
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-
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-
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-
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Aldiss
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Aldiss
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Fan Personality
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-
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E. Parker
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A. mercer
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Fan Writer
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Berry
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Berry
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Willis
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Willis
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Willis
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Change of address: Jhim & Marion Linwood, 10 Meadow Cotts.,
Netherfield, Notts.
THE FIFTH ANNUAL NIEDERRHEIN CON was held in Duisburg
over weekend (?) 21/22 March. Idealist Dieter Steinseifer was awarded
a mock scroll as “Fan of the Year”, but refused to accept and spoke
seriously against such “foolish” undertakings as the real scroll
was awarded to Rolf Gindorf. GoH was Franz Rottensteiner and organiser
Franz Ettl spoke of plans to hold the first German fancy dress party
at Marquarstein’s August Castle Con. Some 45 fans attended the Duisburg
con, amongst them Tom Schluck, Rolf Gindorf, Burkhard Bluem, Mario
Kwiat, Thea Grade and Wolf gang Thadewald, all of whom: thanks for
the cards. A stamp portraying Ringo Bach, indeed! Sounds almost
Welsh!
FOR THE RECORD, congratulations to Sarah Marie Walsh,
born 18 Dec 63 and weighing 7 lbs 12 oz for possessing such nice
parents. Still, can we expect less from convention chairmen?
STOP DUPER: A full set of RePeterCon Quote Cards can be
yours! All 194 without the agony of searching beneath carpets! 5/-
or $1 per set on card. Reduction of 1/6 or 20¢ if 100 cards
accompany order. From Norman Shorrock or Ron Bennett. All profits
go to TAFF. Limited card on hand. Buy now.
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