Wednesday 11th September

When I arose I found waiting for me, in addition to Joy and Vince (Sandy was uptown - at work, I believe - he's a soldier stationed in London), a letter from Don Ford. Don was worried about the reception I was receiving in England, so I immediately sat down and wrote a note to him saying that Dick Eney, himself, couldn't have received a better or more hospitable reception. Yes, TAFF seemed to be in for some smooth sailing on calm waters during the next two years, thought I.

The morning was consumed by long discussions on science fiction and fandom. Joy is a voracious reader and is more up-to-date on contemporary science fiction than is Vince. On the other hand, Vince is an old-time collector and has a collection that goes back just about to the beginning. He has an excellent memory for the old-time stuff and we had a good time exchanging comments and views. As I mentioned in an earlier chapter, Vince proved himself to be a "sercon" fan - and here I am using my definition, which is certainly meant to be complimentary. In fact, Vince is my definition of "The Compleat Fan" - reader, collector, corresponder, club member, convention-goer, fanzine writer and fanzine publisher! I sincerely feel that to be a 100% "Compleat Fan" one must have participated, to a certain extent, in all the facets of fandom mentioned above. However, participation in any one of the facets makes one a science fiction fan, as far as I'm concerned.

We spent some time going through the Inchmery fanzine collection, and I came across a gigantic issue of a fanzine called EYE - 164 pages, with our Vince as editor, along with Ted Tubb and Stuart Mackenzie. This must certainly be one of the largest (if not the largest) fanzine ever published. I also looked over the early issues of HYPHEN, many of which I do not have. The morning flew by rapidly and soon it was time for another delicious lunch. The rest of the afternoon, I spent writing up the convention for "Inside Science Fiction" (the department that appeared in SCIENCE FICTION QUARTERLY, not Ron Smith's fanzine).

Joy, Sandy, and Vince outside Inchmery (jc)

My typewriter pounding was interrupted by Joy, who excitedly said I had a long distance call from Leeds. I dashed downstairs, picked up the phone, and prosaically said "Hello". A voice, heavily laden with a cultured British accent said, "Hello, Bob, Mike Rosenblum here!" J. Michael Rosenblum, an old correspondent of mine from pre-war days, had heard from Ron Bennett that I was going to be in Liverpool over the coming weekend and suggested that I come over to Leeds (only about 100 miles from Liverpool) and spend a couple of days with him. It was certainly a pleasure hearing from someone out of the dim, distant past and I told Mike I would call him from Liverpool on Saturday morning, giving him a definite reply. J. Michael Rosenblum is one of the real old-time fans, one who has devoted many years to science fiction, and, like Vince, has participated in all phases of science fiction and fandom. I would say, however, that collecting has always been his number one interest - and he has one of the most extensive collections extant.