1957 02 00 Fantastic Universe - Ships in the sky - Smith

Magazine Overview

Title: FANTASTIC UNIVERSE
Issue: FEBRUARY, 1957, Vol. 7, No. 2
Publisher: King-Size Publications, Inc.
Country: USA
Price: 35c
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of Fantastic Universe Science Fiction features a prominent article by Ivan Sanderson on Ufology and a novelet titled 'Olcanero' by Robert E. Gilbert. The cover art depicts a classic saucer-shaped UFO over a futuristic city, with the main headline highlighting Ivan Sanderson's contribution on flying saucers. Other notable contributors include Gray Barker, Harlan Ellison, and Richard Wilson.

Contents Overview

The magazine presents a diverse range of science fiction stories and articles:

• "Volcanero" by Robert E. Gilbert (Novelet)
• "An Introduction to Ufology" by Ivan T. Sanderson
• "The Cat and the Canaries" by Helen M. Urban
• "The Temporal Paradox" by E. Henley
• "The Tipplers" by Morris Hershman
• "Success Story" by Richard Wilson
• "The Truth is Fantastic" by Gray Barker
• "The Ships in the Sky" by George H. Smith
• "How to be a Saucer Author" by Dean McLaughlin
• "The Farmer in the Dell" by Dorothy H. Edgerly
• "Invasion" by Harlan Ellison
• "Ugly Earthling" by Lee Chaytor

The issue also credits H. L. Herbert as Publisher, Hans Stefan Santesson as Editorial Director, and Kelly Freas for Cover Design.

Featured Article: "The Ships in the Sky" by George H. Smith

This article delves into historical accounts of aerial phenomena, drawing a parallel between medieval "cloud ships" and modern flying saucers. It recounts a story from the Middle Ages, as told by the chronicler Gervase of Tilbury and referencing Archbishop Agobard of Lyons. The narrative describes a "cloud ship" appearing in the sky, from which a man descends via a cable to free an anchor that had become lodged on a tomb in Lynn, England. The villagers, mistaking the man for a demon, capture him, and he subsequently dies, possibly from the unfamiliar atmosphere. The article notes that the people of that era had no concept of outer space or other planets, making their interpretation of the event as a "cloud ship" understandable. The author speculates on how future generations might refer to Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs).

Other Notable Content

• "An Introduction to Ufology" by Ivan T. Sanderson likely provides an overview of the study of UFOs, a topic of significant interest in the 1950s.
• "The Truth is Fantastic" by Gray Barker suggests an exploration of unusual or extraordinary claims, possibly related to paranormal or extraterrestrial phenomena.
• "How to be a Saucer Author" by Dean McLaughlin offers guidance for aspiring writers interested in the subject of flying saucers.

Publication Details

FANTASTIC UNIVERSE, Vol. 7, No. 2, was published monthly by King-Size Publications, Inc., located at 320 Fifth Ave., N. Y. 1, N. Y. The subscription price was $3.75 for 12 issues, with single copies costing 35 cents. Foreign postage was extra. The magazine was reentered as second-class matter at the post office in New York, N. Y., with additional entry in Holyoke, Mass. The characters and events depicted in the magazine were stated to be entirely fictitious and unrelated to any real persons. The copyright was held by King-Size Publications, Inc., and the issue was printed in the U.S.A. in February 1957.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine clearly focuses on science fiction and the burgeoning field of ufology, as evidenced by its title, cover art, and the prominent placement of articles on flying saucers and related topics. The editorial stance appears to be one that explores speculative fiction and presents information on UFO phenomena, blending imaginative storytelling with discussions of unexplained aerial events. The inclusion of historical accounts like "The Ships in the Sky" suggests an interest in the long-standing nature of such mysteries. The magazine aims to entertain and inform its readership about the possibilities within science fiction and the ongoing fascination with UFOs.