SCIENCE FICTION

   US PULP MAGAZINE, 12 issues Mar 1939-Sep 1941. Published by Blue Ribbon Magazines Inc. (Mar-Dec 1939), Double Action Magazines Inc. (Mar 1940-Jan 1941) and then Columbia Publications Inc. (Mar-Sep 1941); ed Charles D. HORNIG (Mar 1939-Mar 1941) and Robert A.W. LOWNDES (June-Sep 1941).The second venture into magazine editing by former WONDER STORIES editor Hornig, SF was never better than very mediocre; although its covers wereall by Frank R. PAUL, they were poor examples of his work. The stories were from such authors as John Russell FEARN and Eando BINDER, both of whom also used pseudonyms to multiply their contributions to the magazine. The readers' departments were conducted on a determinedly chummy basis byHornig, who spent a good deal of space airing his enthusiasm for Esperanto. (In later issues his firm pacifism showed in some anguished editorials.) After 2 issues under Lowndes's editorship SF was merged with its companion FUTURE FICTION to form Future Combined with Science Fiction. The Apr and July 1943 issues of SCIENCE FICTION STORIES, which revived theSF cover design, were actually a continuation of Future Fiction after a further title change. Some commentators see The ORIGINAL SCIENCE FICTION STORIES , also ed Lowndes, as a delayed continuation of SF in the 1950s. 2issues of SF, cut, were reprinted in the UK.

   MJE/PN