John Baltadonis: Difference between revisions
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John V. Baltadonis was a founding member of the Philadelphia Science Fiction Society (PSFS) and of the Fantasy Amateur Press Association (FAPA) in the 1930s. |
John V. Baltadonis was a founding member of the Philadelphia Science Fiction Society (PSFS) and of the Fantasy Amateur Press Association (FAPA) in the 1930s. |
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As a 15 year old, wrote, art directed, and published first science fiction fan magazine in Philadelphia in October 1936 "Fantasy Fiction Telegram", using a process |
As a 15 year old, he wrote, art directed, and published the first science fiction fan magazine in Philadelphia in October 1936 "Fantasy Fiction Telegram", using a process |
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called [[hectography]]. |
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called [[hectography]]. These fanzines still exist, including some contributing author hand written items. Envelopes and letters requesting subscriptions with impressions of the coin included. There were costs of print, paper and gelatin, but much of the work was created for the love of the hobby and interaction with pen pals of like mind. Some amateur Fanzines of the day can be seen as blue prints for the technology we use today. Smart kids. |
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One of the most active fans of the 1930s, he was an amateur artist and served as art editor for the PSFS fanzine Imaginative Fiction. He also contributed art to other fanzines. At one time he was known as the “Paul of the fan artists.” |
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One of the most active fans of the 1930s, he was an amateur artist and served as art editor for the PSFS fanzine Imaginative Fiction. He also contributed art to other fanzines and book jackets/interiors. At one time he was known as the “Paul of the fan artists.” John attended the first Sci Fi convention and met his pen pal Forrey Ackerman, who is credited with creating that term to describe the category of writing and fandom. John also purchased cover art directly from Paul (pen/ink and an attributed rare Oil on canvas) as well as Fuqua, Wesso and others. Much of his library of literature and art was "put out" by his Mother while John spent WWII in the Aleutian Islands in the signal corp. These things happened, but most of the remaining cover art landed in the hands of a Texas collector via a connection made by the late Jerry Weist. The art was located underneath an oil tank in the basement of the family home protected in a large black binder and the fanzines in the attic of the garage. Interesting army story, John and his fellow soldiers were bumped from a flight due to his being out of uniform...he had his size 13 1/2 civilian dress shoes on while waiting for customized army boots. That plane took off and disappeared over the Behring Straits. John and his friends arrived the next day to the shock of the other unit. John sketched WWII art with what supplies could be garnered on an island, during a war. |
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With |
With others he co-edited the second version of the Science Fiction Collector, beginning in 1937. He published Fantasy Fiction Pictorial and Fantasy-Fiction Telegram. He was the last member of Comet Publications and invented Cosmic Monopoly. He attended the 1938 Philadelphia Conference, the Second Eastern States Science Fiction Convention, and Nylon. |
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He edited the "Science Fiction Collector" for 17 issues through 1941. |
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He fought in World War II in the Seventh Air Force and then taught art at [[Haverford High School]] in Pennsylvania for 35 years |
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He fought in World War II in the Seventh Air Force. John remained in the reserves and served through the Cold War period. John is buried with his wife, a 45 year hospital volunteer and recipient of a White House recognition, in Arlington National Cemetery on the corner of MacArthur and Patton Drives. His favorite generals. He was quiet regarding his military service. |
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John taught art at Haverford Junior High School in Pennsylvania for 35 years and has an art scholarship dedicated to his name for creative students and future contributors to the world of art. He held an MFA. |
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Baltadonis died in 1998, at the age of 77 |
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== Family == |
== Family == |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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{{wikisource author}} |
{{wikisource author}} |
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* [http://jophan.org/mimosa/m29/madle. |
* [http://jophan.org/mimosa/m29/madle.htm My Pal Johnny by Robert Madle] in Mimosa 29, pg 60-63, publ: 2003 |
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* [http://www.firstfandom.org/ffhofaward.htm First Fandom Award] |
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120723162821/http://www.firstfandom.org/ffhofaward.htm First Fandom Award] |
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{{Authority control}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Baltadonis, John}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Baltadonis, John}} |
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[[Category:1921 births]] |
[[Category:1921 births]] |
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[[Category:1998 deaths]] |
[[Category:1998 deaths]] |
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[[Category:American science fiction writers]] |
[[Category:American science fiction writers]] |
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[[Category:United States Army Air Forces personnel of World War II]] |
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Latest revision as of 19:49, 28 November 2024
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John Baltadonis | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 7, 1921 |
| Died | July 19, 1998 (aged 77) |
| Nationality | American |
| Known for | Artist, Fan, Publisher, Editor, Art Teacher |
John V. Baltadonis (February 7, 1921 – July 19, 1998)[1] was elected to First Fandom's Hall of Fame in 1998 for his early contributions to science fiction, including being a founding member of the Philadelphia Science Fiction Society.
Career
[edit]John V. Baltadonis was a founding member of the Philadelphia Science Fiction Society (PSFS) and of the Fantasy Amateur Press Association (FAPA) in the 1930s.
As a 15 year old, he wrote, art directed, and published the first science fiction fan magazine in Philadelphia in October 1936 "Fantasy Fiction Telegram", using a process called hectography.
One of the most active fans of the 1930s, he was an amateur artist and served as art editor for the PSFS fanzine Imaginative Fiction. He also contributed art to other fanzines. At one time he was known as the “Paul of the fan artists.”
With others he co-edited the second version of the Science Fiction Collector, beginning in 1937. He published Fantasy Fiction Pictorial and Fantasy-Fiction Telegram. He was the last member of Comet Publications and invented Cosmic Monopoly. He attended the 1938 Philadelphia Conference, the Second Eastern States Science Fiction Convention, and Nylon.
He edited the "Science Fiction Collector" for 17 issues through 1941.
He fought in World War II in the Seventh Air Force and then taught art at Haverford High School in Pennsylvania for 35 years
He was elected to First Fandom Hall of Fame in 1998 and died the same year at the age of 77.
Family
[edit]lived in Upper Darby, PA with his wife Patricia and sons, John and Steven.
footnote: his middle name stood for Vytautus, the name of a King from the 14th Century in Lithuania which is still a common male given name in Lithuania.
References
[edit]External links
[edit]
- My Pal Johnny by Robert Madle in Mimosa 29, pg 60-63, publ: 2003
- First Fandom Award
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