FUTURE FICTION

   US magazine. 17 issues Nov 1939-July 1943, 48 further issues May/June 1950-Apr 1960. Published by Blue Ribbon Magazines, later Double Action Magazines and (from Apr 1941) Columbia Publications; ed Charles D. HORNIG (Nov 1939-Nov 1940) and Robert A.W. LOWNDES (Apr 1941-Apr 1960). FF began as a companion magazine to SCIENCE FICTION, with similar editorial policies. It absorbed its parent magazine in Oct 1941, changing its title to Future Combined with Science Fiction. Under Lowndes's editorship it began to feature stories by such fellow FUTURIANS as James BLISH, C.M. KORNBLUTH and Donald A. WOLLHEIM, often under pseudonyms. It also carriedsome of the earliest magazine covers done by Hannes BOK. The title changed again to Future Fantasy and Science Fiction in Oct 1942, and finally to Science Fiction Stories in Apr 1943. The 2 issues of this final wartimeincarnation are virtually identical in appearance to Science Fiction, but as they continue the numbering of FF they are considered part of its run.FF was one of the many magazines to fall victim to wartime paper shortages, but it was revived under the same editor in 1950 as Future Combined with Science Fiction Stories, which became Future Science FictionStories in Jan 1952 and, finally, Future Science Fiction in May 1952. It changed from PULP to DIGEST size in June 1954. It was one of several respectable but mediocre magazines edited on shoestring budgets by Lowndes during the 1950s. The volume numbering was taken over by The ORIGINAL SCIENCE FICTION STORIES with its Jan 1955 issue (vol 5 \#4), suggesting thedeath of Future Science Fiction; however, the latter reappeared a little later in 1955, apparently unhurt, with \#28. (The numeration of Columbia's magazines has baffled generations of collectors.) There were 2 UK reprint runs of FF, 14 issues 1951-4 in pulp format, and 11 digest issues 1957-60.

   MJE/PN