It is with sorrow that I note ARKHAM SAMPLER expired with it's eighth issue. This was not unexpected, however. The SAMPLER, one hundred pages of rather high-brow offerings, was priced at $1.00. In effect, although of a decidedly higher standard, it was really little more than a fanzine. I am sure that Mr. Derleth would dispute the fact, but in essence, what is the difference between the "connoisseur" of s-fantasy, and the "fan"? Mainly height of brow, and little else. The former may be a might more discerning, the latter is very rarely a litterateur and always something of a sciolist.
The appeal of the SAMPLER was directed mainly to the "highbrow" of fantasy, and to that particular trend of fantasy that, in the main, I classify as "morbid." The normal "fan" has a knowledge of the subject, but is not interested to the length that will permit him to expend what amounts to a very large sum of money for a very small amount of material. If the appeal of the SAMPLER had been greater to the general range of "fandom," if it had been printed on lower quality paper, and cost less, it might have lasted longer. As it is, it has now joined that back-log of defunct magazines that rapidly acquire the elevation of "collectors' items."
Another magazine that I feel will not last long, although of the "pulp" variety, is the new A. MERRITT'S FANTASY. If, as one gathers from the title, it is to be devoted to the republication of Merrittales, it has some ten long stories to work through, and a slightly larger number of shorter pieces. Merritt was not a prolific writer; the majority of his works have appeared at least twice in magazine format, and a number have had book publication; not counting those which have been reprinted is pocket-book format. I should think that readers of fantasy must be almost satiated -- if not saturated with Merritt.
The inclusion of 55,000 words by Ted Sturgeon in the February FANTASTIC ADVENTURES may denote the first upward trend of the Ziff--Davis magazines. A change in interior artists would also heighten the standard of these magazines. Another slight change that is noticable is the replacement of many of the short articles by short "fanzine-type" tales. Whether this is an improvement or not depends on the reader's taste. Personally, I'd prefer not to see these "bitty" items.
The promised quarterly from TWS and SS should be interesting -- if Editor Merwin makes some good selections from the "oldies." But there is also some terrible "crud" which might be dug up and dusted off, for our not-very-appreciative perusal.
Data entry by Judy Bemis
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