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Where We Fail
by Gale Sheldon
I believe Frederick Folger Thomas, Jr., [late publisher of Far Afield] was right when he stated that fine writing was the most durably significant element in amateur journalism. He was also right when he noted we are fortunate if we have a dozen or more truly excellent writers at any one time. His logic was indisputable: why should we expect the average amateur journalist to be something other than average? But there are always a few superb ones who provide us with inspired and inspiring writing.
It seems to me that here is a great area of neglect in our hobby. If we accept the premise that some excellent writing is produced within our group, then, except for laureate awards and the possible re-printing of them in The National Amateur, little is done to preserve this body of literature. The most important part of our hobby receives the least of our attention.
With all the mediocre writing turned out by most of us “average” amateur writers and press stompers, what is being done to select, edit and publish in some permanent form the small amount of good writing? We do almost nothing to preserve the one part of our little world of letters that has a possibility of transcending our era and our small provincial group.
Very little seems to have been done in the past. One superb exception is the famous Aonian, a dozen issues of a 6×9” quarterly (1943-45) “devoted to literature, criticism and the preservation of amateur letters,” masterfully produced by Ernest A. Edkins and Tim Thrift. Its purpose was to present the best amateur literary work of the past and present. Originally planned as a library-of-books program, the project became a quarterly magazine which, when completed, would be bound as a “symposium of amateur letters and affairs.”
An impressive array of stories, essays and poems followed, dating back to the beginning of organized amateur journalism. Authors such as J. J. Mack, Robert Barlow and Fanny Kemble Johnson are mostly forgotten today. But selections also came from Howard P. Lovecraft, Burton Crane, Rheinhart Kleiner, George Freitag, Allen Crandell and Edna Hyde McDonald, which are familiar names to many of us.
Edited by Edkins, this tremendous undertaking was handset and printed a page at a time on a 7×11 treadle press by Thrift. Although Mr. Edkins disavowed any literary potential or accomplishments in the amateur press in his final essay, “The Grand Illusion,” many members continue to disagree with this conclusion and cite the material published in the twelve issues of The Aonian as proof that his last-minute “about face” was in error – or written with deliberation.
Another exception of significance is Alf Babcock’s Ajay Gems, a 200-page 5×7 book which was selected, edited, printed and bound by our most prodigious printer in 1955. This monumental work was a second pioneer in an almost deserted arena.
We should reprint our best literature between hard covers in small books. And we can. Within the organized hobby are a number of excellent printers, some of whom are neither editors nor writers, and who could fulfill an important role in the printing of such small books. We also have a number of able critics and editors who could select and edit small volumes of amateur literature. Printer-editor teams of this sort would help fill this void.
There are a number of individual editor-printers who could perform ably with such a task as this. You and I both know them. But they won’t tackle a job of this magnitude unless they are convinced it is a worthy as well as an enjoyable aspect of the hobby. This is a big order.
Nevertheless, many opportunities abound. George Freitag’s writings in the amateur press over the years certainly merit one or more small volumes. We have a head start here because his work has been indexed by Harold Ellis in The National Amateur, June 1972. Rowena Moitoret’s poetry and prose need such publication. James Guinane, Veda Burnaugh Collins, Viola Payne, Helen Middleton Ames, John Gillick, Ann Vrooman and Jake Warner are some who deserve a place between hard covers. The verses and short essays of Louise Lincoln should be reprinted in book form.
After browsing through Alf Babcock’s Ajay Gems, Glenn Engebretsen remarked that another more up-to-date version ought to be printed. And it should. An anthology of the best writing in the amateur press in the last twenty years would be welcomed. In fact, a “Best Writing of the Year” would be a worthy project to put between covers annually. There are possibilities for a variety of small volumes.
Printing such a small volume and then binding it, even in a very limited number, is a considerable undertaking. That is obviously a major reason why so few of them have been done. But it isn’t a good excuse. Tickets, letterheads, even four-page flimsies are not always satisfying and certainly not of long-term value. Most of the small journals and the mediocre writing will be quickly thrown away.
Why not put some of that industriousness into a more permanent product? Small books of literary merit will be read, preserved and handed on. Printers of excellence may yet discover the feeling of accomplishment from having reprinted a small volume of lasting literature.
Ralph Babcock has now led the way with Valhalla, a 48-page-and-cover literary supplement to the June 1974 National Amateur. This selection and reprinting of laureates and honorable mentions, some going back to the 1930’s, is a worthy beginning, requiring a massive effort to scrounge funds and to choose and layout the copy. Such dedication, foresight and just plain sweat deserves a loud huzzah!
Nevertheless, it’s only a start. What excuse do we have now, to sit here idle?
Southern California Postlude
by Harold Segal
True, as Gale Sheldon points out in the preceding article, we neglect some of our better literature. Our laureate and honorable mentions usually manage to get reprinted in The National Amateur, but sometimes they get lost in the shuffle of an editorial or budget bind. It very would be nice if these award-winning pieces were placed between a hard-back cover.
There are many things we would like to do in our little hobby world of letters. However, we are constricted – not restricted – by some insurmountable obstacles. Among these are limitation of time available for hobby pursuits, money available for supplies and materials needed for the production of these projects, and the initiative to research and prepare the necessary selections.
In a given year there may be an unusually large number of worthy entries for laureates. Entries eliminated by the choice of only two winners might even be good enough to capture laureates in another year when entries would be less in number. Certainly they would deserve reprinting, but can you imagine the hours needed by the researcher digging for this material?
While it is most commendable to dig into the past and reprint these “gems,” as Alf Babcock has aptly termed them, thought must also be given for the present. We have talented writers today who we just may be overlooking because space is at a premium. We are so short of journals capable of printing long articles or fiction that the best we can cope with are little essays and “short-short” stories. Writers of the lengthier material do not make their manuscripts available for it would be futile. Most publishers are just unable to produce larger journals.
One of our gripes with the private press proprietors, outside the realm of the NAPA; is that they spend so much time and effort on reprints, most of which have been done so many times before. Wouldn’t it give greater satisfaction to spend that time producing an original item that could be identified with your press?
That is how I feel about an active NAPA printer. We would rather see him spend the same effort on his own journal, perhaps “discovering” a new luminary among us, but at least giving the membership more of his own personality.
Another NAPA convention – the 99th – is now history. San Diego 1974 will be remembered for its luxurious setting and the tireless efforts of Southern Californians to provide every comfort and convenience for attendees.
It elected Ann Vrooman to the presidency; host Gale Sheldon, vice-president; Keith Gray, secretary-treasurer; Ralph Babcock, official editor; Dave Warner, recorder; Jake Warner, Bob Kunde, and Larry Redmon, executive judges; and, succumbing to a taped welcome from “Moses Cleaveland” and John Gillick, chose Cleveland, Ohio, as the site for NAPA 100 to open festivities leading to the centennial.
While the delegates side-stepped three pools to find the meeting room, there was no dodging of issues on the convention floor. All three amendments were approved by the necessary two-thirds majority, eliminating any doubts. One increases the annual dues rate to $7.50, a not-so-astronomical figure considering the skyrocketing price structures. The second raises the life membership fee. Number three, the family membership arrangement, finally passed, the opposition worn down by years of battle.
There was a bit of confusion – have you ever attended an NAPA convention when there wasn’t? – over the laureate entry procedure. One side claimed the publisher was allowed to submit material written by others that he had published. The opposition, adhering strictly to their interpretation of the constitution said, “No, laureate material could only be entered by the author or the originator.” Late in the year the executive judges ruled 2-1 in favor of the “Yes You Can” group, but the minority judge, with adequate support from the floor, moved the “No You Can’t” group to the fore. What seems so trivial to some is of such import to others. Apparently it is because we all do not play the game with the same degree of fervor.
Fortunately, all of the fun and camaraderie of the annual gatherings does not take place on the meeting room floor. There was Harold Ellis with an array of books related to printing and writing. There was the adjacent printshop with Gale Sheldon’s equipment covering all the tables and Glenn Engebretsen guiding the destiny of the convention daily. Hyman Bradofsky displayed his collection of California journals going back into the last century, along with a convention program bearing the signature of Jack London.
There were surplus amateur papers free to the taker. There were lunches and dinners with old and new acquaintances. Also there were the happy surprises – people you didn’t expect to see. There was writing and printing talk at the bar and in the wee hours relaxed sessions in members’ rooms. There was a Fossil luncheon and the creation of the Fossil awards: the “Vondy,” the “Tony” and the “Looey,” to recognize Edna Hyde McDonald, Anthony F. Moitoret and Louis Charles Willis. Dave Oden, a soft-sell auctioneer, netted an amazing $227 for assorted type, books and paintings by Ann Vrooman and Les Palmer.
The biggest surprise of this past administrative year came with the June National Amateur. The supplement, Valhalla, contained laureate-winning material going back to the early 1930’s when we published The Sea Gull. Some had never been reprinted (as currently required). It is a treasure trove of amateur literature, a tremendous credit to the National Amateur Press Association.
If anyone is to show us how to get the most from the many possibilities available through photography and offset printing, it is Ralph Babcock.
What he has done in this Valhalla-NatAm supplement was to make photographic prints (reduced to 16-pica width) of the original setting. The clash of a multitude of type faces is reduced to a minimum as most of the faces come close to 8-point. The flavor of the original journal is thus somewhat retained. It is an interesting blend.
Ralph had to dig up all those original journals with the winning entries, photographically reduce them and make up to NA format, then rephotograph for page negatives before platemaking and printing. Can you imagine the work involved in planning alone?
The NAPA owes a lot to Ralph Babcock. He should have continued as official editor. The NAPA is also much a part of Ralph Babcock. We regret his decision to resign.
The official Centennial Seal of the NAPA, selected at the St. Petersburg convention, will be available shortly to all editors and printers who request it. The finished design is the work of William Haywood, NAPA’s master artist. The cuts will be furnished free, but the recipients may, if they feel obliged, send a contribution to the L. V. Heljeson Memorial Fund. Let’s give the seal plenty of ink!
San Diego Wrap-Up
by Hyman Bradofsky
Judged by all standards, the San Diego convention of the National Amateur Press Association was one of the most successful on record. The program was interesting. Much important business was transacted. The facilities for taking care of the members were more than adequate, and the meeting room was a revelation in comfort and convenience. The cooperation of local amateurs and hotel personnel was perfect, and the hospitality was genuine and unbounded. Those who attended the meeting will remember it as one of their most pleasant in convention-going.
An attractive pamphlet was presented to each new arrival as he or she registered and each registrant had only to glance at it to realize the things that had been prepared for them.
Members from all parts of the United States and Canada journeyed to San Diego to take part in one of the most delightful meetings in the association’s history. All arrangements for the sessions were most convenient and satisfying; and the sessions of the association were such as to command unflagging interest and make a genuine contribution to amateur journalism. It was a fitting culmination of a notable year, during which the association gained new friends in its efforts to improve and carry out the objectives of the association.
The registration from states east of the Mississippi was not as large as in some other recent years. This was expected because of the distances to be traveled, and the economic conditions affecting many members. A gratifying feature was that, nevertheless, the attendance at all sessions of the convention was large, which demonstrated that member interest is fully sustained when significant and useful matters are submitted for discussion and, if need be, a vote.
To Gale Sheldon and his indefatigable assistants, the unbounded thanks of all the officers and members of the NAPA are justly due. With the utmost generosity they gave without stint their time and their resources to the entertainment and comfort of the visitors. A friendly meeting was made more memorable by their efforts.
The associations will meet in Cleveland next year. The adjournment of the 1974 meeting found more than usual readiness and enthusiasm for the work of the association’s new year.
With the adjournment of the annual meeting, the baton of leadership in the association passed to an able and tireless worker. The new leader will need and will receive the same hearty and diligent support which has been recorded to her predecessors in generous measure. Her varied experience gives promise of mature and careful leadership.
Direction of the work and policies of the NAPA long ago ceased to have any of the aspects of a one-man job. Energetic and experienced members have come also to the other posts of responsibility. Ralph W. Babcock was re-elected editor of The National Amateur. Invaluable members of the association have ended their terms; new people of ability and experience have taken their seats in the administrative board.
To President Ann Vrooman and her associates in this year’s work, we extend the cordial congratulations and best wishes of amateur journalists who recognize the National Amateur Press Association as foremost in our world of amateur journalism.
Campane has been published since 1941 in the interest of the National Amateur Press Association and the hobby of amateur journalism by Harold Segal, Margo Gardens, Bristol, Pa. 19007. Hand set in Baskerville types and 425 copies printed on 60-lb. Offset stock on an 1890 7×11 Pearl treadle press.
Articles discussing associational problems, critiques or recollections and research in the history of the hobby are constantly sought and welcomed by the editors.
Rebuttals to articles in Campane will be given prompt attention. We do not necessarily endorse remarks made in these pages by others than the editor, but we are not averse to airing both sides of controversial issues.