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The Clipper Trade Ship
The Clipper Trade Ship is a gen multimedia digest-sized anthology. It is described in Boldly Writing: "The Clipper Trade Ship was one of the longest-running fanzines in Star Trek fandom, though after 1977 it diversified and included stories and articles from fandoms other than Star Trek." (pg. 31). Each issue was 36 pages offset digest sized and it was published quarterly.
From Jim Rondeau in The Halkan Council #9 (August 1975): "Collect film clips? A Star Trek fan? Have you tried The Clipper Trade Ship lately? Stories, art, articles and ads, all for 50 cents or five issues for $2 on a quarterly basis... The whole idea for TCTS is to provide a place for clip collectors to get together."
From Jim Rondeau in the sixth issue of The Clipper Trade Ship: "Bringing you another boatload of art, articles, stories, and ads from the lands beyond. Put out quarterly... The Clipper Trade Ship (TCTS) is a non-profit fanzine that's a hobby and occasional headache of mine."
General Reactions and Reviews
As I believe I have said before in a review of this zine, TCTS is a bit unusual since it is directed toward people who are at least interested in film and film clip collecting. I say unusual only because TCTS caters to a splinter group of film and ST fans, and ST itself is a splinter from SF, which in turn is a splinter off of fantasy which is a cousin to mythology, and so on, and so on. One might think that a magazine going out to such an audience would have an extremely limited appeal. Probably so, as I don't doubt TCTS prints more than 1000 copies, but uniqueness can also draw in readers, too. I have some film clips of my own and like movies, but I am not an avid collector or true movie buff, yet this zine is still interesting too because the editor has access to interesting and out of the way information and his zine offers things that no other zine in fandom offers. [1]
In his fanzine, The Clipper Trade Ship, James Rondeau has discussed some of the various 'unshot' Star Trek scripts from time to time. One was Paul Schneider's "Tomorrow the Universe", involving an Adolph HitIer character which was reworked into "Patterns of Force". Another was "He Walked Among Us", by Norman Spinrad and Gene L. Coon, which was unused because of its controversial religious theme. It was, however, 'cobbled up' and portions of it crept into other second season episodes. Another unshot story was "Sargasso of Space", but Rondeau reported once that this outline is not in standard format and was uncredited. Some have speculated that Dorothy Fontana wrote it, while others theorize that it may well be a fan effort. Orion Press, in fact, published a novelization of this script which substantiated this theory. [2]
This is a nice little digest zine from the Rondeaus, whose services as zine dealers I would recommend based on my happy experiences with them. It's mostly ST and STTNG, with just a smattering of miscellaneous other things. The B7 content is negligible, but the zine is attractively produced and very inexpensive ($2 or less per issue), so you might consider getting it if you're a Trek fan as well. [3]
"TCTS" is a highly specialized zine of great use and enjoyment to clip and slide collectors. Articles and fiction are sometimes carried, plus reviews and a nice want ad section, but its greatest value lies in what no other zine provides—clip identification. Two staff specialists classify backgrounds, and this has resulted in excellent pieces complete with detailed drawings... This zine is highly recommended, filling in a professional gap for any clip collector, edited and published in a professional manner. [4]
One of the best fan stories I ever read appeared in Clipper Trade Ship, an old print zine back in the days when that was how you got your fanfic. It was a Prisoner story from the POV of Rover. It was a page, maybe a page and a half long—and this was in a digest-size zine. If it had been twenty pages, and described Rover's typical day in detail, and where it came from, and its hopes and aspirations for the future, I doubt I would have even finished the thing. I certainly wouldn't recall it to this day as one of the most chilling things I've ever read in fandom. [5]
One of the best regularly published fanzines around, TCTS's distribution is, like so many of the finer things in SF fandom, inversely proportional to its quality. In what other fanzine can you find a regular column on building model miniatures ("In Miniature" by Paul Czaplicki), articles examining early versions/unshot scripts from SF TV series ("Unshot"), fanzine reviews, SF news, fine quality fiction, an interesting letter column and many other fascinating contents all given a generous helping of fine artwork? Nowhere but in The Clipper Trade Ship. The Clipper Trade Ship derives its name from the fact that portions of the 'zine deal with the hobby of film clip and slide collecting. There are tips on care of film clips, a column on identification of Star Trek filmclips, and in each and every issue there's a free ad section for subscribers ("The Cargo Hold") where one can find ads for all sorts of goodies—filmclips, slides, books, fanzines, photos, clubs, bubble-gum cards——almost any SF collectibles. [6]
You never really know what you're going to get from one issue to the next (Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Star Trek, ST:TNG, Dr. Who, Blake's 7, original universe), but for a paltry $2 for 32 pages of reduced text, it is easily the best zine bargain around. And some of the ST-TNG he's been running lately is superb. If I find a Lorie Johnson piece in the table of contents, it's the first I flip to; and Linda Slusher's Klingon stories have been getting a bit of space lately. Okay, so Riker's not the most popular character, but a story in a recent issue found his mind being invaded by an alien—and I couldn't put the zine down. [7]
Issue 1
The Clipper Trade Ship 1, was published in either very late 1973 or very early 1974. It was 3 pages long, consisted of an editorial and a few ads, and had a print run of 10 copies.
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 1
You're right; it wasn't worth 50¢. [8]
Issue 2
The Clipper Trade Ship 2 was published in March 1974 and contains 20 pages. The front cover is by Alan Andres, the back cover is by F. Wong, illos by T.O. Knova.
There were 175 issues printed.
The editor reported that he owned over 3000 film clips. A fan has an ad in the back of this issue that claimed she owned over 8500 film clips.From the editorial:
Also from the editor, see more about these cons in later issues of TCTS:
After months of effort (that doesn't [sic] show), welcome to the second issue of TCTS.
TCTS has come a long way since the first issue (which was 3 pages long, consisted of an editorial and a few ads, and had a print run of 10 copies). And TCTS has a long way to go. I'm new at this business at [sic] putting out a fanzine, and you would not believe the difficulties one can come across in doing so. (Special thanks to Alan Andres for the cover—he submitted it right on the deadline, and it just so happened that the cover I commissioned someone else to do wasn't ready.)
Optimistically, the quality of TCTS can't get worse. But YOUR help is needed to make TCTS a success; fandom needs a marketplace for filmclips. Star Trek and otherwise, and other Star Trek items.
Like all fanzines, TCTS could use articles, stories, and art—not necessarily Star Trek—and I'd appreciate some submissions. However, since the treasury contains cobwebs, the best I could afford to pay you upon acceptance is a free issue or ad space. But most of all, TCTS needs paying advertisers. As it stands now, the ads rates barely pay for the cost of the ad. I'm not putting TCTS out for a profit (what profit??), but rather in the interest of clip collecting. So ADVERTISE! SUBSCRIBE!! SUBMIT!
THIS ISSUE: This issue is mostly made up of a one act skit that was part of an unfinished series (or part of a 3 or 4 act play with each act independent of itself) of satires on STAR TREK called "START WRECK.' Unlike other ST satires, the cast members' names have not been changed, providing an interesting effect. Feel free to act it or tape it. Unfortunately (fortunately?) there is only one more of this series available, which will be printed in a future issue. Any printable comments, send them to me, please; I'll forward them to its author.THE NEXT ISSUE: If possible, an interview with the most omplete [sic] Star Trek fan. See you then.
CONVENTIONS: Not one, but TWO Star Trek conventions are being planned for the San Francisco Bay Area, both are being put on by George Senda of Duotronics, and by the northern California S.T.A.R. chapter. North STAR Con 1 will be held November 8-11 at the San Francisco Airport Hilton. Membership will be very limited. North STAR Con II will be held in March 1975 at the Jack Taar Hotel.
- Editorial (2)
- News (2)
- Identiclip: Care for Film Clips (article) Jim Rondeau (3)
- "The Overlord", satirical ST radio play by T. Knova, featuring murderous mutants, telekinetic twins, a built-in bar disguised as a computer bank, and one very bad cold. (4)
- Ads (18)
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 2
I got TCTS #2 and I don't think it was worth 50¢. I haven't read the "START WRECK" satire yet but that's all there was to that issue except your first two pages, the ads, and the front and back covers (fair art). I think you should've included some of your blooper shots or some such special page. Sorry, I was looking at the ad rates and you state "no photos"! Are your interior pages run by mimeo with offset covers? Your stencils were overtyped widthwise so many of the words on either end were cut off. I think I'll do some articles for free issues if I can find the time. I'd like to see TCTS survive, too. I think 25¢ would have been more reasonable but I don't know how much printing costs were so I can't judge. Best. [9]
I liked TCTS very much. That satire was idiotic, silly, degrading, and has no redeeming social value whatsoever—but I loved it! What do you mean your artists can't draw a straight line? That illustration of the spaceship was very good! [10]
Dear Jim. I just received TCTS #2 in the mail yesterday. I enjoyed it and think it was well worth the 50¢. [11]
Issue 3
The Clipper Trade Ship 3 was published in July 1974 and contains 20 pages. The front cover is by Signe Landon, the back cover by D. Collin, and it has illos by D. Herring and J.A. Tyler.
100 copies were printed.From the editorial:
Also from the editorial:Since I started TCTS, my mail has increased ten-fold....
This issue, as many of you have noticed, is late. That is because of school, construction projects, and a lack of articles, ads, and stories to fill this issue. (To have art printed throughout is too expensive.) At least by now, I've gotten enough for this issue. However, I am greatly disappointed in the response to the main purpose of TCTS.The main purpose of TCTS is to promote film clip collecting, and to provide a marketplace for clips, Star Trek items, and movie items. So: for all my advertising, where are the clip collectors TCTS is supposed to be nonprofit. It is, but then, I wonder if I'll ever break even. Is TCTS a worthwhile adventure?
The editor also notes:...this may shock you: Although I like Star Trek and wouldn't mind its return, I do not wish to actively participate in campaigning for its revival. There seems to be too much influence by Roddenberry to use Star Trek to further his own pocketbook. For example, when ST was cancelled after second season, and the fans wrote it back on the air, NBC accused Roddenberry of inciting the fans to do so. (Or so I've been told.) Roddenberry claimed to have nothing to do with the save ST campaign. However, Lincoln Enterprises, owned by his wife, was actively campaigning to save ST (as it is still doing today). And look how much Lincoln Enterprises is capitalizing off of ST... Don't get me wrong; I'm not anti-Gene Roddenberry. He is a fine man and great producer who created the best go-between for science fiction fans and the rest of the world. But let him keep his hands clean.
The two Star Trek conventions for San Francisco mentioned last issue will NOT take place; I was given a bum steer. [George S], the initiator of those cons, is now in jail, and that's all I can find out.
- Indenticlip (2)
- Editorial (3)
- two EquiCon Reports, con reports one by Signe Landon, one by Jim Rondeau, see EquiCon (5)
- "The Rock Candy Incident", fiction Barbi Marczak (8)
- Letters of Comment (13)
- Star Trek Animation (article) by Victor Lim (14)
- Ads (16)
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 3
TCTS #3 was a vast improvement over the previous issue. It even looked nicer -- congratulations holding a margin on the mimeo pages! It makes for easier, more pleasant reading. Concerning Victor Lim's review of the animated series. I hope he's right about the latter time slot for the show next season. [snipped] Like any new zine, [TCTS] has a way to go before it rivals T-Negative, but at least improving. [12]
Many thanks for sending TCTS 3, A few comments on #3. Although I think the zine has a long way to go, this issue was an improvement. I too am disappointed in the number of ads you received. Hopefully, your appeal on page 3 brought some results. I agree with you on your capitalistic criticism of Lincoln Enterprises, however I would be careful of what you say in print. What's more I would like to quote from an issue of DECK 6 #3 (Oct. 1969), "Recent correspondence with David Gerrold reveals that out of $5.50 Lincoln Enterprises charges you for each script, the author receives only about 25¢—a mere 5%. This skimpy cut (as opposed to the usual 15%) is possible, so we hear, because of some legal loophole involving ownership of Lincoln." They concluded that about $3.50 in profit is made on each script (175%). Another issue printed some rather strong words by D. Gerrold against Lincoln. Whether this is true, I don't know. I have two friends who were probably the only ST fans ever to visit Lincoln. One said the place is full of boxes of clips, and they expect to be selling clips for the next ten years at the present rate. Don't quote me on any of this as it is all hearsay. If you would like me to dig up more of the info on Lincoln I could do so.
I agree with you also about the revival of ST. Personally, I would rather have a totally new cast of characters and a new ship. I'm afraid if it were done with the old stars, the show would become "camp." Secondly, I hope it would reach above some of the standards Roddenberry's other recent features (Questor excluded).
You might write Richard Arnold about the legalities of selling clips. He knows the details and has told me on occasions, but I forget. I think Lincoln is the only licensed dealer to sell unmounted clips, however, anyone can get away with selling mounted clips—something like that.
There are a bunch of notes I would like to ask you about: Are you sure that fellow got the "Questor" clips at the trash can at Warner's? Why would the film be shot at Universal and edited at Warners? I would be very skeptical of the story. A note from Lincoln told me about a year ago that there were plans to sell GII [13] and Questor clips in the near future.
I think I once heard that Lincoln E's address in the phone book is a phony to keep people away. Rumor?
I might also mention that I will be very surprised if you obtain many more title shows than the ones you already have. This is the reason: It appears that all film clips of opticals, like any other clips, are discards of shots that didn't appear in the finished print. It those particular episodes that you have titles from, I seem to remember that the title was maintained over more than one specific shot. For instance in "A Private Little War" let's say the title fades in on a shot of the transporter platform as Kirk and Spock beam in- The shot changes to a CU of Scotty at the controls with the title still supered and then slowly fades out. This only happened in a very few episodes. So there would be some excess footage with the title over the shot. This is also true of beaming in shots and that's why they're so rare. As titles are faded in and faded out there wouldn't be any excess footage.
By the way, that "idiotic scene" from I MUDD that you mentioned was an example of color defraction as Gerrold mentioned in The Worlds of Star Trek. As I heard it, this was a shot supposedly taken from the two Alices' point of view as they started to malfunction.
Oh, the gravestone from "Where No Man" reads: "James R. Kirk, 1277.I-1818.7"That's all. LL&P [14]
This is a belated reaction to TCTS 3...
First of all, I think I'd better mention that according to [Dan F] of the Cinema Shop, [George S] is not in jail. This is why I mentioned, when I first told you of [George S], that you might contact Star Trek Archives about him; just for the sake of confirmation. With my luck, he's already contacted you about this with a libel suit.
I was interested in your articles on Equicon. They were very easy to read and showed their authors' enthusiasm, and I only wish they went into greater detail about events there, especially if some information that wouldn't be known to anyone who simply attended.
I would, however, like to express some thoughts of my own about your comments on the spirit of the attendees. Admittedly, this was my first full-time con, having only attended bits and pieces of Westercon XXVI the year before. And you may be right in that the fans who came were subdued in the first place; I say that by comparing the crush for the dealers room at Westercon the first day and the comparative calm at Equicon. However, I'd like to suggest that the con committee may have done some homework on group behavior. For example, there were more events happening more often. There was, therefore, less of a crush and less need to run between events. Also, there were assurances that everyone would have a chance at what they wanted. Take Doohan's talk. The photographers had their chance at the beginning. The autograph hounds were told they'd have a chance later on, and the crush wasn't too bad.
Such an approach would have an effect on the general spirit of the fans, a relaxing effect. And I think an effective comparison can be made with the International Star Trek Con, as reported by Margaret Basta in Star-Borne #13. According to her, it might be safe to describe that con as over-crowded and underscheduled with events. As such, the attendees were more "spirited"; all the fanzines on display were stolen on the first day. Ms. Basta says she didn't know of one zine that was stolen at Equicon. It is not likely that such a difference in ST fans of the coasts comes naturally; the con's approach to handling them must have something to do with it.
Victor Lim's analysis of the animated Star Trek was handled very well, and I am in agreement with much of what he says, especially in regards to the dialog. (Most witticisms about Mr. Spock were confined to the line, "I believe I've already said that.") All I could add to this article is some additional information. As far as I can find out, Mark Lenard, Roger C. Carmel, and Stanley Adams did the voices for Sarek, Mudd, and Jones, and Ed ("UFO") Bishop was the voice of the prosecutor of Megas-Tu.It would be safe to say I'd like to see more news in TCTS. For example, do you know the final dope on Eyecon? I've heard the news up to where "the bums said their "memberships" could be transferred to Equicon. Has anything more come of this mess? [15]
- At the time I wrote about [George S], he was indeed in jail, according to the ST Archives; and no libel suit has been filed. Perhaps no fanzines at Equicon were ripped off because not one attendee in ten could tell you where the fanzine room could be found; it was stuck in a little out of the way room that I only found because it was on the way to my room. News is hard to come by for TCTS. By the time TCTS is printed, most news over the three month period is old, like: William Shatner was host of the New York Miss Teen-Age contest (or something like that), or who will be in the Planet of the Apes TV series. My only source of news is LOCUS and people who write to me. And what kind of news does everyone want? — Jim R. [16]
Issue 4
The Clipper Trade Ship 4 was published in September 1974. The front cover is by T.O. Knova, the back cover by Debbie Collin, and it has illos by J. Alan Tyler.
There were 175 issues printed. This issue was not printed mimeo but multilith.
- The Editor Speaks (1)
- Diana's Revenge, a Start Wreck episode by Terrence Oswald Knova (3)
- Alan E. Andres on Star Trek (14)
- The Anniversary by Debbie Collin (also in One Trek Mind #4) (21)
- Letters (24)
- Black Castle of Chrome, a science fiction story by Darien L. Webster (26)
- Diverse Verse (29)
- The Ribbles Revolt by F. Wong (31)
- Identiclip: On Identifying Star Trek Film Clips (article) by Jim Rondeau (35)
- Fanzine Reviews (38)
- a review of Parmen's Corner, see that page
- a review of The Communicator #3, see that page
- a review of Star Trek '74, see that page
- a review of Incredible Star Trek Book, see that page
- Thought for the Day: The Rock (article) by Darien L. Wyckoff (39)
- More Diverse Verse (39)
- Ads (40)
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 4
Glad you liked the story! ANNIVERSARY is my own answer to a proposed script called "Joanna" that was scrapped by the powers that be. McCoy's daughter was to have come abroad and fallen in love with Captain Kirk. Blah. Too predictable. Much better to have her fall for Spock! POOR MCCOY! So I changed everything but the daughter's name. My only source, by the way, is that little paragraph on page 241 of MAKING OF ST. Ta-da! See what can happen with a mean, nasty mind? POOR MCCOY!!
I agree about the weak ending. I know... I hate stories that end: "and then he woke up." S*I*G*H. Enlosed find an alternate. More valid, I think. At any rate, it's better than the old lurching ship. I didn't want to go into time travel; it would shift the focus away from the story itself. Likewise no alternate universe.That didn't leave much. I couldn't very well make the good doctor a mad glue sniffer or something... [17]
Issue 5
The Clipper Trade Ship 5 was published in December 1974 and contains 20 pages. The front cover is by L. Cranston, the back cover by D. Collin.
150 copies were made.
- The Editor Speaks (2)
- Witching Hour, fiction by Debbie Collin (also in One Trek Mind #5) (3)
- And Now the News (9)
- Star Trek on Radio, article by David Clark (10)
- The Consolation, fiction by Barbi Marczak (12)
- a review of The Star Trek Scene Annual #1, see that page
- Ads (15)
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 5
Though it was a bit shorter than usual, nevertheless I really enjoyed the December issue. D. Collins "Witching Hour" was well written; particularly the final scene in the hall with the apparitions, etc. Her descriptive phrases painted an extremely clear picture in my mind. Also, D. Clark's "Star Trek on Radio" was skillfully written, and extremely interesting with regards to the technical information it presented. And to you the editor, may I say that your one page opening message in each issue is probably the highlight of it all. Your down-to-earth (up-in-space?), personalized style of writing is fun to read. I like it. Ah, well, time to go. I have to find that Motoslybnian outpost by nightfall. [18]
I see that my subscription to The Clipper Trade Ship has expired -- can't have THAT! So enclosed, if I don't forget, will be my check for $2.00 it going!
I enjoy your efforts very much -- am especially fond of Debbie Collin's art and stories -- you are most fortunate to have her at your beck and call! She is becoming famous -- having illustrated a story of mine that is included in Sharon Emily's SHOWCASE II, and also being part of the fabulous Energize, which cut a tremendous swath through the New York ST con last week!Hang on to her! [19]
A young friend of mine lent me his TCTS 4 which was purchased at the Red Hour Festival. I found the zine such an outstanding work and your attitude so energetic that I felt I had to write.
I have a few comments on the Clipper Trade Ship. The cover was wel! done (the art was good also but you sure could use some on the inside) and of a good texture to keep the contents from being bent and wrinkled, however this was not true for the back cover. The exposed back page and a few before became dirty and bent from lack of a heavy back cover. I hope you can correct +his. I did not see any of the previous publications so I can't compare printing quality, however I can give you a few comments on #4 alone. I found the printing clear and well centered, however fading was evident as you pointed out. In the letter section you could have done a bit more explaining when you replied to the correspondence. A case in point is Mr. Senda.I've heard of him before, in connection with the Archives who recently 'disassociated' themselves with him. This sounds an awful like The "Star Trek Convention/Albert Shuster case that I am also uninformed on. Could you please enlighten me on any of these cases? Beyond these I found your fanzine to be enjoyable and knowledgeable. ((Editor: My brevity in my response to George Senda in TCTS 4 was because of a longer statement I made in TCTS 3. I will not repeat them at this time, because others fear I might get a libel suit slapped against me. And I don't know any of the reasons for the New York con/Shuster split; sorry.)) [20]
Issue 6
The Clipper Trade Ship 6 was published in April 1975 and contains 30 pages. The front and back covers are by Debbie Collin. The interior illos are by Signe Landon. The typewriter used was owned by Mike Siladi.
150 copies were published. "The first 50 issues are numbered."
It was in this issue that the editorial was first called "The Captain's Cabin."
- In the Captains Cabin, editorial (2) (includes a con report for The Red Hour Festival, see that page)
- The Compleat Star Trek Fan by Terrence Oswald Knova (4)
- By Destiny We Abide by David L. Wyckoff (9)
- Pity About This Place, vignette, no author listed (14)
- Winds of Destiny, poem, no author listed (14)
- Gene Roddenberry Speaks at Stanford (transcript, part one) (16)
- Fanzine Reviews (19)
- a review of Sol III #1 and #2, see that page
- a review of Sol Plus, see that page
- a review of The Communicator V.3 N.2, see that page
- Identiclip: Primer on Film Clip Collecting (article) by Jim Rondeau (21)
- Letters to the Editor (22)
- The Cargo Hold, ads (24)
Issue 7
The Clipper Trade Ship 7 was published July 1975 and contains 40 pages. The front cover is by Steve Dixon, the back cover by Debbie Collin, the illos are by Signe Landon, Lizette Leveille, Mike Lynch, and J. Alan Tyler.
150 copies were printed.
- In the Captain's Cabin, editorial (2)
- Gene Roddenberry Speaks at Stanford (transcript, part two) (3)
- Pet, fiction by Barbi Marczak (part one; the second part is "The Trespassers" in the next issue) (9)
- I-They, fiction vignette by Randy Carlson (18)
- Films We'd Like to Have Film Clips From (19)
- Whatever Happened to EquiCon?, con report Debbie Collin (22)
- The Cargo Hold, ads (32)
- Barbarella, review with photos by Jim Rondeau
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 7
There were two pieces of fiction in this issue of TCTS. One is the first part of a story called 'Pet' by Barbara Marczak, which I found rather hard to follow. Also a short poem by Randy Carlson, interesting. The real outstanding feature of this zine is an article on Gene Roddenberry's speech at Stanford University; I thought it was very enjoyable. A review of Equcon by Debbie Collin was also interesting and humorous. Debbie called this year's con 'a dismal, disappointing failure,' The editorial dragged at times; 'Films We'd Like to Have Film Clips From,' had some nice screened photos (too bad they weren't ST), but I didn't care for the corresponding text on Barbarella. The ad section kind of shocked me though, since everything I had read so far in the zine indicated it was a Strekzine; it advertised every kind of clip from Jaws to Kahn. I would much prefer ads form people who wanted ST clips (and there were some) exclusively. In spite of the non-ST overtones, I would recommend this fanzine to anyone who is seriously interesting in collecting ST filmclips. [21]
Your TCTS #7 is the best issue to date. The inclusion of Barbarella was most welcome. With respect towards all Star Trek devotees j, I am glad you have added a new, how shall we call it? — dimension to TCTS. Star Trek stories stressed the search for now worlds and ideas, and diversity in the content makes for a better tale — the same should be done for? all ST based fanzines. One can't simply ignore the existence of other SF stories (TV or films), as some Trekkers (Trekkies or Grokkers) have done — so thanks for putting a wrinkle into the editor's pipe... er. Sherlock Jim-.. Debbie Collin's summary of Equicon was amusing — keep her articles coming, not to mention all her artwork. [22]
I got my copy of the Clipper Ship and read most of it but couldn't read all of your editorial as when I turned to p. 29; the lettering in the middle of the page was obliterated. I also read the article on the convention and enjoyed it thoroughly, but I'm afraid I don't completely agree with her though on one thing. I definitely agree it was disorganized. But there were lots of other things to see concerning Star Trek other than the episodes which were shown at the inconvenient times; though I guess that would be very important if they aren't shown in your area. Also I didn't spend much time in the Hucksters Room and wasn't looking for clips so I didn't notice their lack. I'm glad I didn't have her luck with her roommate. Mine were very nice. She doesn't mention anything about the panels which were very good; at least I enjoyed them, and the award dinner also and the show at the Space Center, I did hear from others about the lousy service etc that they had at the hotel which didn't effect me as I stayed at the Royal Inn at the wharf. [23]
Issue 8
The Clipper Trade Ship 8 was published in October 1975 and contains 35 pages.
The front cover is by S. Dixon, the back cover is by D. Collin, the interior illos are by Melody Frame, Doug Herring, Terrence Oswald Knova, Signe Landon, J. Alan Tyler, and C.L. Healy.
200 copies were printed.In previous issues of TCTS, the editor, Jim Rondeau, had been pointing out the confusions and misinformation with Paramount regarding merchandising licensing. From this issue's editorial:
For this issue, I received an ad from someone of the Star Trek Welcommittee that had a "political" comment in it: [24]
"Also, in the last issue of TCTS, there was a plug for VIDEO HOUSE. I have in my possession a letter from a reputable individual that states that Video House products are illegal. in spite of what their flyers state (merchandise manufactured under license copyrighted 1974, etc.). If this outfit is illegal, and you order film clips from them, you are robbing Gene Roddenberry!...."
Hold it. Everyone knows that Gene Roddenberry's wife Majel owns Lincoln Enterprises, the major source of ST film clips. But are their film clips legal?
Five months ago, I received this letter from Paramount's legal department:
- "Re: STAR TREK LICENSE AGREEMENT
- Dear Mr. Rondeau:
- In response to your letter dated April 15, 1975, regarding the above-referenced matter, please be advised that Paramount controls and owns all copyrights in and to Star Trek and therefore no such merchandise can be sold without Paramount permission. Star Trek licenses are granted on a non-exclusive one-time basis only for Star Trek merchandise to be sold at specific conventions. The license fee consists of an initial payment of Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) plus ten percent (10%) of your gross receipts.
- If you wish to obtain a license for a specific convention, please notify me in writing of the items you wish to sell and the date and the name of the : convention at which you wish to sell such items. I will then take the necessary steps in preparing the license.
- You stated in your letter some of the items you may possibly want to sell, among which were film clips and slides. Please be advised that Paramount :does not license the sale of Star Trek film clips and slides.
- We sincerely appreciate your continued interest in "Star Trek".
- Sincerely, (signed) Jeffrey S. Robin"
- In the Captain's Cabin, editorial (2)
- The Trespassers, fiction by Barbi Marczak (It is a sequel to "The Pet," in the previous issue.) (3)
- The Reluctant Fan (report on Roddencon) T.O. Knova (13)
- Semaphore Signals, letters (20)
- The Cargo Hold, ads (27)
Issue 9
The Clipper Trade Ship 9 was published in January 1976 and contains 33 pages. The front cover is by John P. Alexander, the back cover by Debbie Collin. The illos are by Doug Herring, Gennie Summers, J. Alan Tyler, and Signe Landon.
The editor notes that "Approximately 300 copies of this issue were printed, far too many to number by hand any more."
Due to paper cost increases and increases with the postal service, the price has gone from 50¢ to 75¢. You can also get a copy for "8 good film clips."From the fan report -- Roddenberry's plans about the new movie:
- 1) There will be a Star Trek movie to be released in the winter of 1976. It is tentatively entitle[d] STAR TREK II.
- 2) Special effects will he used extensively. The Magician system will be used. The main sets consisting of the bridge, sickbay, transporter room, etc., will he rebuilt.
- 3) Earth will be shown in the 22nd century. Roddenberry believes at this time the planet's industry and technology will have moved underground. The plantlife, wildlife, and all humans will live in harmony on the surface.
- 4) The USS Enterprise will be the ship used with a few interior modifications.
- 5) All original actors have been appropriated.
- 6) A script has been accepted by Paramount. Roddenberry and three notable sci-fi writers worked on the script, one of which was Lester Del Rey.
- 7) Paramount ran a survey which stated that there are ten million potential ticket buyers for the Star Trek movie. The movie budget is 4-5 million dollars" Paramount could make over 50 million dollars. NBC has stated that if the movie is a success, they want the show back on the air. It would not return as a sixty minute program, but as a ninety minute program which would appear once a month.
- 8) A major article about Star Trek will appear in Newsweek magazine. A time has not been set.
- Star Trek II, article by Steven K. Dixon about a presentation by Gene Roddenberry on Sunday December 7, 1975 at a press conference at Memphis State University about a Star Trek movie, which would become Star Trek: The Motion Picture (first page, unnumbered)
- In the Captain's Cabin, editorial (2)
- The Wind's Will, fiction by Debbie Collin (also in One Trek Mind #5, Star Trek Nuts & Bolts 14/15, and The Best of Amanda and Sarek) (3)
- untitled poem by Tina Carlson (8)
- "The Tempest" as a Classic in the Modern Day Fields of Fantasy and Science Fiction, article by Jim Rondeau (9)
- Rollerbore, or "Norman Jewison is no Stanley Kubrick," a review of "Rollerblade," by "Eel Strebor" (17)
- Patience by Ronald T. Rosenborough (22)
- Star Trek vs. Space:1999: When Worlds Collide, article by Debbie Collin (24)
- The Cargo Hold, ads (26)
Issue 10
The Clipper Trade Ship 10 was published in April 1976 and contains 34 pages. The front cover is by Dave Schow, the back cover is by Debbie Collin, the illos are by J.P. Alexander, L. Heiler, and J.A. Tyler.
300 copies were printed.
The year is 1976, America's Bicentennial, Star Trek's "Trektennial", the year of the Star Trek movie, and much more. Lincoln Enterprises has issued a new catalog for the event, and Star Trek is being pushed greater than before. Commercialism and professionalism is taking Star Trek fandom by storm in far greater proportions than ever before, and that much ripoff by both certain business people and the Roddenberrys make me sick. Being a science fiction fan and possibly a collector of science fiction movie/TV memorabilia is one thing, but to be a mindless slave to a cult, buying anything with "Star Trek" scrawled on its underbelly; live, breathe, talk, eat, and excrete nothing but Star Trek, that must certainly be some kind of sickness. Do YOU own a Unisex Klingon Warning Whistle? Do YOU go into severe withdrawal symtoms [sic] when a Star Trek episode is interrupted for "an important announcement", such as New York was just H-bombed?
I like Star Trek. I collect Star Trek film clips, photos, books, scripts, and a few other things. I edit a Star Trek oriented (but not exclusive) fanzine. But I do not consider myself a trekkie, trekkiepoo, trekker, trekfan, trekiac, two lose la trek, trekite, or any other such pitifully limited in scope thing. I am a science fiction fan, and that already brands me as a dangerous person.
I do not really care to know why Star Trek has such a vast cult, but I am curious as to why so much of Star Trek fan fiction is or nearly is pornography. Such stories you will never find here in TCTS as long as I'm its editor, because I don't believe Star Trek stories need sex. ("Gosh, Margaret, look at those two stories over there! Obscene!") ~ Which is probably why I have such a hard time getting Star Trek stories to print here, and why subscriptions are falling. But I do manage to find something for each issue.This issue was almost postponed 3 months. Graduate school has kept me quite busy, and my courses are so difficult that I shall probably drop out of the optical sciences program. Add to that the fact that I am now a comnittee-person on DesertCon IV (which will be over by the time you read this), in charge of — what else? — slide shows, besides working on other things, DesertCon IV, for those of you who care, had Gene Roddenberry, Robert Silverberg, Edmond Hamilton, Leigh Bracket, Don Davis, and Robert Wise (producer of Andromeda Strain, Hindenburg, etc). If it didn't go well, we had a public lynching of the committee, in which case next issue will feature a new editor. I do hereby will and bequeath the editorship of TCTS to Diane Howarth in that event.
- In the Captain's Cabin, editorial (2)
- Strange Signal, Star Trek fiction by Joan Bennett (3)
- TV or Not TV, poem by Christiane Klee (parody riff on Hamlet's speech "To Be or Not To Be") (19)
- A Night With Young Frankenstein, review by Frances Wong (20)
- The Outer Limits": Ahead of its Time" by Dave Schow (22)
- The Cargo Hold, ads (30)
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 10
I received THE CLIPPER TRADE SHIP #10 last month and enjoyed it tremendously!
David Schow's article, "The Outer Limits: Ahead of Its Time," was the high point of the issue. It is a rare event indeed to read an informative summary of a defunct tv show that is written with the enthusiasm and flavor of a demoted fan that captures the reader's interest from beginning to end. Buried memories were revived as Schow described the various episodes he did. And I sympathize with his view that THE OUTER LIMITS deserves more attention than it is getting. But I don't understand why he harbors such hard feelings toward STAR TREK.
Which brings me to "In the Captain's Cabin." I see you are continuing your tradition of lambasting STAR TREK's fandom, not that I mind — a good verbal thrashing now and then is needed to keep a fan in line. But nowhere in this issue did I see an editorial supporting the series. True, you did have a STAR TREK story. But that's not a direct editorial comment.
Like yourself, I get fed up with the invasion of STAR TREK's fandom by commercialism and professionalism. Like yourself, I dread the label of trekkie-fan, even more so. But I don't own a Klingon Unisex Warning Whistle. I don't buy anything and everything with "Star Trek" scrawled on its underbelly. I haven't exploded in a fit of outrage because the MIDAMERICON committee decided not to include any STAR TREK". programming for the convention — actually, it will be a relief to attend a non-ST con for a change.
You see, I'm head of a local ST fan club, I run a national ST/SF club, and I attend ST conventions. If someone in our little town of 150,000 wants to know something about ST, they come running to me. And , if they have some grudge against ST, they also run to me. It turns my stomach to see the uniform-clad "trekkie" with the plastic pointed ears plastered all over national television when a network decides to report on a ST con. It seems these reporters refuse to realize that serious Star Trek fans exist --the organizers, the true supporter. The guys and gals dressed in college clothes that sit quietly at a table in the corner discussing how they can work toward getting some serious sci-fi back on television. No, it doesn't have to be STAR TREK; it doesn't even have to be by Gene Roddenberry. It could even be a new OUTER LIMITS. But STAR TREK serves as a pillar around which this work can be centered, and the show has set a standard that is hard to beat.But STAR TREK means something else to me. Because, if I hadn't become involved in ST's fandom, I never would have learned about Science Fiction's fandom, and my interest in SF would never have grown. So, I have ST to thank for that. [25]
I got TCTS #10 the other day. Pretty good issue. TCTS #10 wasn't the best issue yet; I believe that honor goes to #7. But it did have some interesting articles. The story was terrible. I didn't especially like the OUTER LIMITS article — it was alright, but it de-glorified Star Trek, and well, when you do that, it gets on a true ST fan's nerves. (By the by, I don't buy all this ST crap you spoke about, Enterprise squirt guns, etc., but I don't let all that commercialism bother me. I think if those companies are going to put out that crap, it isn't my fault they have to try to dress it up with the words "Star Trek." [26]
I received TCTS #10, and feel it's quite worth shelling out $3.00 for 5 more issues. The synopsis of Ellison's "Demon With the Glass Hand," is especially good; there seems to be a resurgence of interest in OUTER LIMITS, which is all the more deserving of attention as a uniquely sophisticated series too often overlooked. It scared the bejabbers out of me as a kid, and I wish the networks would pick it up again in syndication. I quite agree that the people who indulge in fanatic Trekkism are suffering from some disorder (probably mental), but they're the same sort of people who'd rather watch the third rerun of S.W.A.T. than see Robards and Dewhurst in "A Moon For The Misbegotten." They just happen to attach their fanaticism to Star Trek, and such people aren't worth getting frustrated over. Word is going round that Paramount is getting awfully tight fisted now that ST II seems to be a coming reality; it's ironic that the movie may be a very detrimental thing to ST fandom through the professional greed its production seems to arouse. What I'd really like to see in the ST movie is the very best SF whatsodamnever that Gene Roddenberry can bring to the screen) and the correction of some of the numerous flaws present in the TV series. If Paramount doesn't give Roddenberry the freedom to -- for once — fully realize the potential of the show, then they might as well forget the whole thing. (Tstc, tsk — such heresy.) At any rate, I'll be looking forward to #11. [27]
Issue 11
The Clipper Trade Ship 11 was published in July 1976 and contains 48 pages. The front cover is by J. Alan Tyler, the back cover is by Debbie Collin, the illos are by Doug Herring, Gennie Summers, Signe Landon, and Lizette Leveille.
"Approximately 241 copies of this issue were printed, unfortunately."The editor wrote that the zine is experiencing difficulties for three reasons. The first two are issues with his former printer and increases in postage. His comments on the third reason:
The third problem is, apparently, with me, according to feedback I've been getting lately. TCTS, and therefore me, has lately been interpreted to be anti-Star Trek and especially anti-Star Trek fandom. In one particular project I'm having done for TCTS a few people see as aimed to destroy fandom. Specifically, I asked Eric J. Anderson to do some research for me, as I have little time on my own to do it. He has been primarily trying to find out what rights we have to our Star Trek film clips. In his search so far, Paramount has contradicted themselves, Roddenberry has contradicted himself, and several fandom sources of authority have all said something different. Even two books on copyright law conflict with each other. However, there are kind individuals and groups in ST fandom who have asked us to quit, concerned with our safety and that of fandom in general, lest Paramount Pictures bare its teeth. I do not think that will happen. But fandom is beginning to shun TCTS for that reason, and is becoming vocal on it. At any rate 1 have asked Eric to wind down the investigation and begin summarizing what he has gathered into an article for some near future issue. So much for free speech.Anyway — I can pro-Star Trek, but only pro-fandom in some ways and anti-fandom in some other ways. My main beef is the high ideals Gene Roddenberry spouts about ST in speeches on one hand, and on the other, his wife's company, Lincoln Enterprises, is selling such items as Unisex Klingon warning whistles, things I find degrading to the series. But that is only MY opinion; please don't lambaste on that.
- In the Captain's Cabin, editorial (2)
- EquiCon '76, a con report, see that page by Pat L. Harris (4)
- Eulogy Unto the Source by Darien L. Webster (9)
- Letters to Earth, article by Sandra Neville (10)
- The Cold Beyond Space, part 1 of 3, Star Trek fiction by David Clark (13)
- Identiclip (article) by Lizette Leveille and Gennie Summers (27)
- About the Cover, a contest (30)
- The Cargo Hold, ads (33)
- The Editor's Note on Equicon '76, LoCs (41)
- "The Outer Limits": Follow Up (article) D. Schow (42)
Issue 12
The Clipper Trade Ship 12 was published in September 1976 and contains 36 pages.
The front cover is by J.P. Alexander, the back cover is by Debbie Collin, the illos are by Signe Landon, Lizette Leveille, David J. Schow, Gennie Summers, and J. Alan Tyler.
300 copies were printed. The editor had this note: "Support fandom. Go out and buy somebody else's fanzine."
The editor wrote that the zine has a new look, different font, and that issues from now on will follow a more strict format: the reason is production costs.The editor wrote:
Regular readers of TCTS know my stance on such subjects as Star Trek commercialism, Star Trek fanatics, and Gene Roddenberry in his connection with Lincoln Enterprises. Because of that, some people regard me and TCTS as being not exactly pro-Star Trek. I disagree. But rather that write an editorial defending myself, I'm going to turn a letter of comment from Frances Wong into a guest editorial, as she says it far better than I:
"I'm disappointed to learn that some members of fandom are turning their backs on TCTS, in the mistaken belief that you are negating the popularity of Star Trek. Are ST fans so immature or uncertain about the value (quality) of their favorite program they should come to the realization that any small dif ference of opinion is a threat to its existence? One of your readers com pletely misunderstood the author of the Outer Limits article in your previous issues of TCTS. He thought the writer was anti-Star Trek, when the article's basic premise was just that some other science fiction shows are also deser ving of coverage, not just Star Trek this, and Star Trek that. Now I bet a deep-dye Trek fan will misunderstand my intentions — he'll think I was being 'anti-ST'. I've seen practically every ST show over at least eight times in reruns, and this doesn't count the original first-run showings. I will prob ably continue watching the old shows, and definitely will look to the new movie version, as well as collect memorabilia of the series when I can. But would ST fans turn on an article praising 2001, or rave about an Issac Asimov story being superior to anything that ST writers could ever hope to create — just because the writer dares to offer a different opinion, and is not turn ing cartwheels over the Star Trek dream? I am amazed at the intolerance and that's the exact feeling being fostered by those members of fandom who are turning their heads away from TCTS — is rearing its ugly tentacles in the world of fandom. As an oriental who has experienced real intolerance from my fellow man — I am sadden. Even Mr. Spock, whose culture is based upon the idea that all things (good and bad) combine to create a beautiful, interesting whole — he no doubt would be disappointed by fandom's attitude.
Jim — you have a supporter of TCTS here! I dislike certain subjects — but dammit — I will not cease to listen or read about them, because I know that's the only way to remain well-informed and avoid the narrow line in life.
Lastly, about the search for legal rights to the sale of Star Trek memorabilia. I doubt if your "investigations" will cause the downfall of fan collecting. If so, then all the Flash Gordon, Walt Disney thingies, and every form of book collecting and trading during the last SO years would be equally condemned. I think the most vocal people who are voicing their negative reaction to your search of legal copyrights are those members of fandom who are ignoring the spirit of Star Trek, and are just out to make a fast buck from enthusiastic fans. I have a feeling they would sell a piece of lint if they could prove it was brushed off Mr. Spock 's uniform — if they can get a gullible fan to buy it! Star Trek fans deserve to be treated honestly — and without the fear they might be tapped on the shoulder by some copyright lawyer each time a purchase is completed; of say, a ST clip or poster. I know there are bootleg copies of the ST blooper floating about — but they wouldn't be available if there wasn't a market. Chances of stopping fandom from collecting any form of memorabilia are like the old method of tracing a needle in the haystack. I doubt if fandom will shatter from a little honesty."
Comments on the Guest Editorial: I know for a fact that the people most vocal on my sponsored investigation of copyright are quite the opposite to what Fran believes. These people are the backbone of Star Trek fandom, people who I respect highly. I wish more fans were like them. Without them, fandom would not be such an enjoyable past time. I sadly regret that I must disagree with them on this fundamental issue. On the other hand, those out to make a fast buck are deeply interested in the copyright issue; they've had their lawyers up late at night, finding out interesting items.
(False logic: that does not mean I'm out to make a fast buck. I may be a huckster, but that's to pay my way to conventions & help print TCTS. Besides, I actually represent several fans huckstering. Had I wanted to, I could have become the west coast representative to a Big Dealer on the east coast, running 6 tables at each convention; but I turned him down.)On a closing note: Please, if you write me a letter (other than a trade proposition) that needs answering, I now require an SASE (Self Addressed Stamped Envelope). Your letter will simply be thrown away otherwise. I AM NOT MADE OF STAMPS!!!
- In the Captain's Cabin, editorial (1)
- The Cold Beyond Space, Trek fiction, part 2 of 3, by David Clark (4)
- The Keeper's Caution, poem by Debbie Collie (16)
- Someday Morning, poem by Diana Lynn Carlson (16)
- Return of the Night Before Christmas by Debbie Collin (also in The Best of...) (17)
- Identiclip, article by Gennie Summers and Lizette Leveile (18)
- Cargo Hold, ads (26)
- The Last Word / Randall Landers [McCoy - Trex]
Issue 13
The Clipper Trade Ship 13 was published in January 1977 and contains 50 pages.
300 copies were printed.
Contributors: Amy Falkowitz, L. Cranston, David J. Schow, Richard Felix, tif, Signe Landon, J. Alan Tyler, G.M. Carr, S.F. Czapla, Debbie Collin, Lizette Leveille, Gennie Summers, Ronnie Wise, David Clark, S.K. Dixon, Mike Chickelly, Jim Rondeau, Shirley Huang, Jan Snyder.From the editorial:
Dearly beloved, we are gathered here to witness the passing of the Star Trek Convention. Those who knew it found it to be a place where legendary names in fandom could be met in the flesh; one or two genuine star and/or writer of stage and screen could be seen; new fans could swap ideas with old, old fans could swap information with new, nonfans could swap wives; actual-original memorabilia from a TV show that lasted for about four live episodes less than Lost in Space could be found: bouqht, sold, traded; fan art and fan costuming could be found in abundance; and Harry Mudd's political promise on Beta Draconis V of two parties on every hotel floor was kept. The Star Trek Convention is still in its death throes after a long illness, but so close to death that these last rites are given now in case by print time it has passed on entirely.
It was only recently learned that the west coast Star Trek Convention, Equicon, is no more, having gone on to that great whatever-they-go-to in the sky. The Star Trek Convention is survived by its illegitimate offspring, all of which are trying to capture the past glories by using its parent's name in public. They are in actuality the Star Trek Circus Show, The Star Trek Private Fan Party, and the Star Trek One Day Accidental Conglomerations. The Star Trek Circus Show is known by its traits of the stars and writers of screen and stage parading about a stage, jumping through hoops, and launching into commercials about their products, whilst the attendees sit in the audience, reminiscing about all the money they used to have in their wallets before buying a ticket to the Circus; not even enough money left to buy genuine mass produced souvenir crud of the show that Mad Magazine did not one but two satires of. The Star Trek One Day Accidental Conglomerations are the closest to their parents in most respects, but there is a crippling limit to what you can do with only a day. There's not even enough time to get the last name and phone number of the person you were holding hands with during "And The Children Shall Lead" (the only episode they could afford). And the Star Trek Private Fan Party is just that: a convention run by fens for fans -- that is, as long as you're part of some elite clique and are mysteriously smuggled news of the planned event (usually delivered by an obscene fanzine in a long, dark overcoat or a plain brown wrapper). Alas, alas; ashes to ashes, dawn to dusk.
More seriously, though (but not by much?), my part of the country has been blitzed lately by a lot of professionally run "conventions", which are indeed shows. Somehow half of them abide by the system of putting on two shows in one cay, one morning/afternoon, the other afternoon/evening, putting the guests through the hoops twice. This allows the potential of handling twice as many people as the building will allow (usually a small auditorium or high school somewhere, throwing hucksters like me in out of way places). The big pro cons (great term there) are really stepping into California now. The one in Northern California, Space The Final Frontier, isn't even held at a hotel, which I believe is half the fun. (All right, who snickered? I run a clean zine. The next one of those is scheduled for the second weekend in February, in San Francisco, and inside information has already set off echoes of ripoff. Other pro cons being set up: one in San Diego January 14-16 at the wonderful El Cortez hotel, and one in Los Angeles March 4-6 (which supposedly has lined up the casts of Star Trek and Space: 1999 both). Pity the Trimbles had to do away with Equicon. Sigh...Hooboy. Those of you who have been reading TCTS for a while (you three know who you are; hi, mom) may recall editorial comments speaking out against some of the Star Trek commercialism being dished out to the hapless masses. Arriving conveniently in time for this editorial is the following letter to, uh, inform you what's in the works. For once I've written back to one of these things that come in the mail, and you may guess the content of that missive. Anyhoo.
- In the Captain's Cabin, editorial (1)
- Dear Diary 11/3/76, a con report for Star Con by Jim Rondeau, see that page (3)
- Mid Take by Richard Felix (8)
- Photo Caption Contest #1 (9)
- Fanzine Reviews by tif (10)
- a review of Stardate Unknown #1, see that page
- a review of All My Crewmen #1, see that page
- The Late, Great TCTS Cover Contest Results
- untitled by G.M. Carr (12)
- An Orgy of Death by S.F. Czapla (13)
- Identiclip by Gennie Summers & Lizette Leveille (15)
- The Cold Beyond Space, Trek fiction, part 3 of 3, by David Clark (27)
- The Cargo Hold, ads (42)
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 13
Horrors, my subscription just expired with issue #13. I really like your new format. This is becoming quite a slick fanzine. That was a great finish to a fine and polished story by Dave Clark. That boy's going places if he keeps it up, me thinks. #13 was a damn good issue and by the time I finished it, I wanted more more! Suggestions: Let's have more longer stories. I'd like some non-Star Trek science fiction. How about some factual article on scientific subjects? How about a few pages reserved for readers' comments? I'd also like to see some critiques or reviews of current or old favorite science fiction novels? [28]
If TCTS is a Star Trek/Science Fiction/Fantasy magazine, why is the major portion of it devoted to ST with so little devoted to Fantasy and Science Fiction? Is there any chance that TCTS might go bi-monthly? I know it's a hassle just getting it out quarterly, but I think that much of your news would be a bit more recent if we saw it every two months instead of every three... [29]
Issue 14
The Clipper Trade Ship 14 was published in April 1977 and contains 32 pages.
300 copies were printed.
Contributors: Doug Herring, J. Alan Tyler, L. Cranston, Lyn Robinson, Gennie Summers, Lizette Leveille, Darien Webster, Julia Howarth, David J. Schow, Sandra Nelville, Ronnie Wise, Terrence Oswald Knova, B.F. Zugzwang (Jim Rondeau), D.L. Collin, Marilyn Johansen, Bob Dolsay, S.K. Dixon, Melly Frame, Lela Dowling.From the editorial, more on fandom and profit and Gene Roddenberry:
Gene Roddenberry has done it again. Even before his movie SPECTRE can make it to the TV screen, his company, Lincoln Enterprises, is selling clips , scripts , key chain viewers, and all sorts of junk — and this all was announced in a special, uh, publication whose primary purpose is to sell you the movie, the souvenirs, and especially urge you to write in to tell the network you want a TV series made from it. What other producer blows his own horn so loudly? And at the expense of the fans? Where will it end?The original editorial for this issue let loose my thoughts on fanzines and fanzine readers in general, of the Star Trek-type, and on current trends. Those of you who have been reading my editorials for quite some time might guess some of what I said — I admit it wasn't high praise and flattery -- but it wasn't as bad as you might guess. That's because I do approve of fanzines. But I don't buy them very often. I'm simply not a fanzine collector of any subject. Oh, yes, I do subscribe and get in trade a number of zines; but the number I get regularly is less than ten, and they come from the fields of ST, sf, film, Edgar Rice Burroughs, comics, and Sherlock Holmes. I buy very, very few ST zines. That's also partly because I'm not that deep into serious Star Trek fandom. Ah, well...
- In the Captain's Chair, editorial (1)
- Results of TCTS's Photo Caption Contest (2)
- Time After Time, Trek fiction by Marilyn Johansen (3)
- Mission: Unprintable, Trek fiction, part one of ten by "B.F. Zugzwang" (pseud for Jim Rondeau, author says he had to dig deep into his files for this story as he needed some fiction to print.) (8)
- Requiem by Terrence Oswald Knova (11)
- The Future of Science Fiction, includes a graph by Sandra Neville (13)
- Mycota, a Mad-Lib type of fiction game by Julia Howarth (16)
- Soaring, poem by Darien Webster (18)
- Indenticlip by Gennie Summers and Lizette Leveille (19)
- The Cargo Hold, ads (26)
Issue 15
The Clipper Trade Ship 15 was published in May 1977 and contains 46 pages. It has interior art by Lela Dowling, Signe Landon, Gennie Summers, and J. Alan Tyler.
300 copies were printed. The price of the zine has gone up to $1.00.From the editorial:
Good afternoon, and welcome to the fifteenth issue of The Clipper Trade Ship (TCTS).Now hold on! There's no such thing as a May issue, you say, and how come it arrived so soon after TCTS #14? Or did this unexpected bonus to your mailbox arrive before #14? At the rate things are going, it might have. As of typing this, TCTS 14 has been at the printer 6 weeks now, just about as long as 13. So I'm going to try a local, more expensive printer for a change, on this issue that's come out between deadlines. Why the extra issue? No reason, really, except that I got ahead on my typing and believe I have enough material to print for the regularly scheduled issues.
- In the Captain's Cabin, editorial (1)
- For the World is a Big Round Hollow Ball Which I am Living Inside Of and If You're Not Careful You Can Hit Your Head on the Sky, Trek fiction in script-form (parody) by Barbara Lindberg (2)
- Identiclip (12)
- Lela Dowling Portfolio (13)
- Mission: Unprintable (part 2 of ??? parts), Trek fiction by "B.F. Zugswang (17)
- Flotsam & Jetsam (21)
- Other Zines, Other Views, reviews by tif (22)
- a review of The Other Side of Paradise #2, see that page
- a review of Subspace Chatter #8, see that page
- a review of The Circuit, see that page
- a review of Warp Factor #2, see that page
- Upshot: "Think Love" (Questor) by Jim Rondeau (26)
- The Cargo Hold, ads (33)
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 15
As the colophon of this issue states, The Clipper Trade Ship is a fanzine/adzine with ST, SF related fields, and an emphasis on the hobby of film clip and slide collection. How else can I describe it? There are some very unique things in this fanzine because of the format, some of which you may not, like or may find almost, essentially depending upon what you buy zines for. Just inside this issue is an episode parody called (inhale) "For the World is a Big Round Hollow Round Ball Which I Am Living Inside of and if You're not Careful You Can Hit Your Head on the Sky." If you can't figure out what episode it parodies you'll just have to ask someone else. It's okay as a parody goes, a few good lines inside and a few gags that have become by now stock material in parodies. (How many times can you do a take off on 79 episodes?) There is an Identiclip section listing production dates for all of the 79 episodes which is useful for the collectors in the audience. Following this is a gorgeous portfolio of fantasy illos by Lela Dowling. I had never heard of Lela Dowling before seeing this portfolio, but I sure wouldn't mind seeing more of her work in the future. It's a pity the zine is a digest-sized type of format. I'm sure an 8"by 11" would give much more room for such beautiful artwork to breathe. "Mission: Unprintable: it should have been left ... unprinted. It is kinda like a jumbled mixture of Buck Rogers, Star Trek, and half of the space games ever marketed. Keeping track of things for making sense out of this story is beyond hope... This story starts. with... episode #5 and ends with #9. It would've helped to have a synopsis to clue us in on #1-4. No? There is a section of zine reviews, structured something like Menagerie's and a very interesting account of an unshot episode of Questor that was written but never filmed. The only other zine to print accounts of unfilmed episodes was Babel which has long since gone the way of the dinosaurs. Finally there is an extensive classified ad section, which are free to TCTS subbers. A unique fanzine in toto; try a single ish to see if you like it. [30]
...A couple of days ago I received TCTS #15. which pave me quite a shock since I haven't received TCTS #14 yet. Thankfully my anxiety was abated by your editorial. Forgive me for saying this, but it seemed to me to be not up to standards, being too thin and drawn-out at places to deserve its one buck cover charge. That's not to say that an issue, such as TCTS #13 is not worth a buck, I'd gladly pay that for good entertainment, but #15 just did not seem enjoyable.
For example, Barbara Lindberg's spoof of the ST episode "For the World is..." is just a feeble attempt at humor, and at that she barely succeeds. Spoofs are quite entertaining when expertly done! But Ms. Lindberg's definitely is not. I've heard the STAR DREK recording featuring Captain Jerk and friends and had a good laugh! Lindberg's piece, by comparison, pales. It seemed to be a hackneyed job and most the innane [sic] jokes were stale. Worse of all, it was too, too, too long, spanning ten pages, which could have been used to better purposes, I hate to be such a sourpuss, but these types of spoofs are about the easiest to write, requiring but little imagination. If she must write a humorous piece, why can't she do something completely original, since if she can do that and still give a few chuckles, she would have succeeded, without having to lean on a familiar episode for support.
Mission: Unprintable is definitely something that should have died stillborned before it ever reached the printer's! PLEASE! NO MORE! It was the worst example of gibberish and illogic I've ever been exposed to, in fact, after the first episode, I nearly died in bewilderment. The less said about this egoistic obscenity, the better.
tif's reviews are so and so, but she tends to be too condescending, too generous to the majority of the zines. Honestly, they can't be all that good.
Your Questor script is quite a good idea. I really enjoyed it, and it promised to have been quite an exciting episode. Unfortunately, the trend for such good science fiction characters is to bring the level of sophistication down to that of a 5 year old, and make them do outrageous things, such as in the bionic man/woman/boy/dog/...?/etc., which turns us SF buffs off. The two Man From Atlantis movies I've seen so far are quite good, but I fear that if it becomes a series, it's gonna go the same route as the Six Million Dollar Han. Anyway's, I'd like to see more TV scripts. How about getting some old Outer Limits scripts in print? I never got the chance to see that show but I heard that they were excellent.
Lela Dowling's portfolio was impressive. Her drawings remind me of the Phillipino artist Alex Nino in that the deceptively simple squiggles, almost like doodle lines, she can convey a complex impression of reality. The problem is with this style is that it seemed kind of flat, the 3-D quality of the illustrations does not stand out, and often it is quite hard to untangle the legs, forelimbs, and other appendages, as to where and to whom they belong to. Hopefully she can improve on this deficiency by varying the thickness of outlines, etc. Otherwise she is quite a talent and at last we can have quality illustrations which seems to be lacking in your zine. J. Alan Tyler's illos are OK, but S. Landon is a bit inconsistent and your other artists are only slightly above the competence of amateur doodlers.Wups! I seem to have been carried away. Sorry for all the bad critiques, I didn't plan it as such. I know that TCTS #15 was atypical of your usual quality. [31]
TCTS #15 arrived on the 14th, and as always it is a fine issue. I really enjoyed reading the "Questor" script, and heartily encourage you to print any and all unshot "ST" writings you can lay your hands on. Reading this sort of thing" is a good two steps beyond reading most fan fiction, and it just might give a new dimension to your zine.
In referring to the rest of #15, the Dowling portfolio was nice, if not too scifiish, the spoof on ST funny, and so forth. The one-page chart on page 12 threw me; this reader was operating under the impression that you really wanted 'title' shots from ST, that is, clips that show the E in orbit while 'Shore Leave' is superimposed on the screen...
Hope you caught SPECTRE last night. It was fine, maybe the best post-ST pilot yet, even tho GENESIS II was superb. It continues Roddenberry's tradition of having one scene that I consider in poor taste, but was overall pretty good.Finally, have you noticed that the studios are adding fine print to their production credits about ownership of films? The Bionic shows, and lots of Universal shows, all have something to the effect that unauthorized distribution of this motion picture is in violation of copyright. ROCKY and SILVER STREAK also have the same thing. The giants must really be afraid of the home videotape machines. [32]
On to a commentary of issue #15. The satire was funny, and Identiclip was interesting. The Dowling portfolio was unusual, and Mission: Unprintable was its usual unusual self. Now onto the zine reviews, tif's commentary and method are quite good, however, she lacks one thing. Common sense. Is it fair for her to devote a page and a half to one zine (giving horrendously long detail) while giving other zines capsule reviews?? I have worked with Gerry Williams of I.T.P., and know of his zine. Knowledge of the fact that SUBSPACE CHATTER has been terminated to those of us who have dealt with ITP before. Also, the only reason issues of this magazine are still available, is that Gerry had made another print run to celebrate the zine's popularity. By the way, please inform tif that there are too many people in the film clip collecting game who do not know how to take care of their clips. I for one have found many a new technique in articles of this nature.
Now onto the really profound statement of the week. You mentioned that you find little or no difference between East and West coast dealers, and any articles on differences between East and West fans would not really be valid. Well, N.I.G.Y.S.O.B. (That means Now I Get It You SOB.) That happens to be a psychology term and is only meant in jest. Anyway, I submit that you are quite wrong, look at your zine reviewer. Ail the zines she reviewed in #15 are printed in California. Look at the Cargo Hold. Out of 15 ads, only 3 are from the East coast. Also, look at the convention list. Don't tell me you haven't seen any data on the WORLDCON in Florida this year. In every pro mag that features convention listings, WORLDCON is announced at least 8 months in advance. More data is available on WORLDCON that any other con. I am also quite sure that you have probably come across info on STAR TREK AMERICA, since so many people from California seem to have enjoyed the BICENTENNIAL-10 con. (They are both being produced by Tristar Industries). I for one do not care whether or not you mention East coast or not in your zine. However, if you do have circulation in the East coast (even if Steve Czapla aid I are the only ones), and if you hope to get more, you should make some small concessions to those of us here who are helping to support you.Please excuse any long windedness or pomposity, as I usually have a tendency to defend New York and the East coast rather strongly. Since January 1976, we have had a running battle with both the Midwest, as well as the West because of a convention, which in fannish circles has the name DISASTERCON. You may have heard of the con. It's the one Lisa Boyndon had run where 30,000 people showed up, and some 10,000 more were turned away because the hotel was too full. I was both a dealer and a security officer at that convention. Ever since then, everybody is talking about what kind of animals New Yorkers are. I am willing to bet that most people who are in situations like that daily (usually residents of large urban population centers), and who come to a convention to be with the same kind of craziness about Star Trek and sf that they share with some other fans, would probably get extremely irritated, frustrated and anxious, and would probably act the same way in that situation. Yet the Midwest claims they never act that way. Sure they wouldn't. Everybody forgets that Lisa came from Chicago. Anyway, I run off at the mouth again... [33]
- [the reply by the editor of "The Clipper Trade Ship" to the LoC above: ((Fanzine reviews! What are fanzine reviews "but extended opinions of the reviewer? Did you read TOSOP #2? Do you know how hip it is? How do you expect to do an adequate job of review and limit it to the same length as the review of Subspace Chatter? (Which was not a capsule review.) tif has free control over what and how she reviews — almost. Occasionally I send her zines to review, es was the case for Subspace Chatter & the Circuit, but that's about it. If she thinks a zine deserves 1 1/2 pages of review; fine. I have seen other reviews of TOSOF #2, and they all are about the same.//Conventions: No, I actually haven't read any Worldcon or Star Trek America news, partly because I have no interest in those cons. As I stated in that con listing, those were cons who bothered to sent me their flyer, i.e., they were interested enough in TCTS to take the time to ask me to make some sort of announcement. Not all cons I've received flyers from were mentioned. People wondered why I didn't mention the largest West coast ST con that was held in Los Angeles in mid-June. [34] (That particular series of cons I've had nothing but trouble with, including the chairman wanting to throw me out of one because I was selling stuff competing with a Big Midwest Dealer. Even the June one I had troubles, enough so that I'm giving up huckstering at cons, and maybe cons altogether. But enough of my problems.) Said con organiser is the West coast equivalent of Lisa Boyndon, but we aren't as lucky as you, as he's still with us. Argh, the stories I could tell... I will tell you this: He (Terry Termun) is one of the main reasons stars are charging unaffordable prices to appear at cons. Rather than negotiate prices, he has blatantly offered, oh, let's say $15,000 for an appearance when the star normally charges $10,000 — thus upping what the star can ask for the next time a convention wants him. //As for East/west battles... I will concede that there are differences betwixt New York City and Hollywood, but then again, they are alike, but different from the rest of the world. Haven't said much, have I? Fans are alike all over. As for special concessions to East coast fans — does that mean I have to make concessions for my readers in England and Iceland, too?)) [35]
Issue 16
The Clipper Trade Ship 16 was published in July 1977 and contains 36 pages. The front cover is by Signe Landon.
The print run was 300.
Contributors: Signe Landon, J. Alan Tyler, Melly Frame, Steven K. Dixon, Gennie Summers, Paul Czaplicki, Kevin Drake, Joanne Bennett, Frankie Jemison, Clare Bell, Jim Rondeau.
Poem by Frankie Jemison:
- "'All I ask is a tall ship, and a star to steer her by...'
- Alas, alack; the ship is sort, and the smog obscures the sky.
- Or, failing that, the rats have flown, and all our ink's run dry.
- But never mind: the 'zine and the ed are met at Philippi."
A fan had this plea: "I am currently trying to get all of the animated ST episodes on cassette tape. I will pay postage both ways if you let me borrow your records so I can dupe them. Please write me if you are interested, & I'll reimburse your postage."
- In the Captain's Cabin (1)
- Have No Fear, part one, Star Trek/Lost in Space fiction by Signe Landon and Jim Rondeau (3)
- Flotsam and Jetsam (7)
- Unshot -- Tomorrow the Universe -- Star Trek by Jim Rondeau (the partial script of a 1967, second seaso unfilmed Trek episode which features Hitler as a character) (8)
- In Miniature, article about creating Spock by Pal Czaplicki (18)
- Communications Link, opinions and news from the science fiction world, by Kevin Drake (19)
- Letters of Comment (30)
- Exchange, Trek fiction by Joanne Bennett (21)
- From "The Tholian Web" by Frankie Jemison (26)
- The Cargo Hold, ads (27)
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 16
Surprise, surprise! Jim asked me to do a capsule review of TCTS!!! OK, Jim, YOU asked for it!!! Let's see... what's that he envisioned about a probable review by me.,.? Aha! Here it be! Bottom of page 2h of #15: "microscopic print, obsessed with the collecting of film fragments, virtually no artwork aside from front and back covers and a few scattered drawings..." No, really, Jim, I wouldn't do that to you, would I? Come to think of it...! Maybe? No, seriously.... THE CLIPPER TRADE SHIP #16 ST/SF/Fantasy/Filmclip collecting fanzine, reduced offset (NOT microscopic!)? This issue of TCTS is unusual in several ways: l) lo and behold, there were letters from the readers, 2) two new columns — "In Miniature," which deals with model making, and "Communications Link," which is a news hotline of sorts, 3) a fine story collaboration with Signe Landon and *gasp* Ye Meane Olde Editor, Jim Rondeau, and 4) the absence of two regular columns, namely IDENTICLIP and OTHER ZINES, OTHER VIEWS — both due to difficulties of one sort or another. An unshot ST episode was featured, and there was, of course,the ads in THE CARGO HOLD, Artwork in this ish dealt mostly with fantasy and Star Wars, but Signe Landon did a lovely piece with Spock for the front cover, and Clare Bell gave us yet another of her delightful unicorns on the back cover. Not a bad issue at all, was it folks? LAYOUT: 5 CONTENT: 4 OVERALL EFFECT: 9 [37]
I take your zine because of what you offer that no other zine does — the identi-clip service, and I am very disappointed when you fill in with silly stuff like "Have No Fear" or other emotional wallows like "Exchange" — other zines do this much better. But you are unsurpassed with the clip articles, the tech ones and the looks at unpublished scripts (since we no longer have BABEL to consult). I am sorry that you have gotten fed up with cons and fans, sounds like you are rapidly moving toward gafiation, at least temporarily. Usually I do not give much credit to verse in ST zines — seldom are they even worthy of that name, let alone poetry. But Frankie Jemison is a favorite of mine, and her lovely, sensitive "From Tholian Web" is superb. Trust you will continue to have contributions from her. Peace and Stuff. Dixie G. Owen [38]
Identiclip will continue as long as TCTS can! As to the drawings of Uhura and Chapel, as you can see Gennie threw some together for me, and her usual throw-togethers turn out pretty good. I'll1 try and add these sort of things whenever I can. Only wish that I had a good frontal shot of Scotty. His hair changed three times during the shows, and it would be helpful if we could have a single extra page, with the 3 hair styles, and the episodes that these were shown in. Most people know about the hair-style changes, but are unable to decide exactly when the darn styles changed. It would be something to think about, or maybe you could ask some good artists somewhere to try their renditions of it?? We'd love to give them credit, naturally. (Can anyone out there help?) Thanks heaps for the blurb in #l6. I hope it will bring in a few more bits of clips, although I, have bid on auction for about 3000 odd fragments, and hope that there will be some more bridge scenes there, if I get it, of course. LL & perspire!![39]
Received TCTS 16 a few days ago. A very good cover, front and back! "Have No Fear" is starting out well. My favorite line is the Robot's "Yon Cassius has a lean and hungry look." But then the Robot was always my favorite character. We get Lost in Space on base TV up here. I've watched it a few times and I can never believe I used to live for Wednesday nights so I could watch another adventure of the Robinson family. The acting, the scripts, the special effects; the entire show seems so childish now. But I like the Robot better than ever.
"Unshot" was interesting. It probably would have made a good episode. I have a complaint to register, though. You referred fans to Babel 1 & 2 for more information. You also said Babel 1 & 2 are out of print. I find that just a bit illogical. If they're out of print, how can we read them? (Editor cutting in: out of print is not the same as nonexistant. One must do as I did — read someone else's or get a xeroxed copy somehow.) "Communications Link." Thank you, thank you. Keep it up and make it longer.Glad to see a letter section. That's always one of the best parts of a fanzine. I would really like to see articles in TCTS, I would also respond to your plea for submissions if I had anything to submit. To tell you the truth, though, the main reason I buy TCTS is for the Cargo Hold and Identiclip. Every fanzine has ST stories — most of them pretty bad. TCTS is oriented differently. And it should be. Who needs another ST fanzine just like all the others? I like it and hope you don't give up. You can count on one continuing subscription at least. [40]
I just got my new issue of TCTS 16 and wanted you to hear my comments on it. To start off with, the cover is excellent (it always is anyway, but this is beyond the norm). Signe Landon is truly a great artist. I think the idea of a letter column is good, too. I like to read other people's views on your zine. The "best part of TCTS this issue is the story by you and Signe, "Have No Fear... " I was hoping that there would be something about Lost in Space in your zine, and the idea of Star Trek and Lost in Space combined is really a terrific one. I can't wait to see what happens to Dr. Smith. (Actually, I hope he dies. I never could put up with him.) Your new columns like Flotsam & Jetsam and Communications Link are QK, but I dislike In Miniature. I guess that's just because I'm not into model building. Somewhere in the zine you stated you were an amateur filmmaker. I just wanted to tell you that I make movies, too Your Unshot article wasn't quite what I expected. To me, the story wasn't all too clear. I just didn't understand everything. Joanne Bennett's story, "Exchange," started out well enough, but when I had finished reading I was disappointed. There were too many old cliches used. All in all, TCTS #16 was a pretty good issue, but not as good as the last few have been. The cause of this is the absence of Identiclip. I always looked forward too it... [41]
Issue 17
The Clipper Trade Ship 17 was published in October 1977 and contains 40 pages.
300 copies were printed. Contributors were Melly Frame, Signe Landon, tif, Paul Czaplicki, Gennie Summers, Lizette Leveille, Richard Heim Sr., Mike Chicchelli, J. Alan Tyler, and Jim Rondeau.
The zine editor asked: "...any Stars Wars publications out there? If the now-almost-forgotten Logan's Run can generate fan clubs and publications, I'm sure the more enthusiastic Star Wars fans can put together something!"
- "Smith is Where?!, part two, Trek fiction by Signe Landon and Jim Rondeau (1)
- Other Zines, Other Views, fanzine reviews by tif (the scale: Layout is from 1-5, Overall Effect is from 1-10) (7)
- a review of Comloc #2, see that page
- a review of Alphan Moonscapes #1, see that page
- a review of The Clipper Trade Ship #16, see this page
- a review of Bellerophon v.2 n.8, see that page
- Letters of Comment (9)
- In Miniature -- Andorians, by Paul Czaplicki (12)
- After a Fashion, art portfolio by Melly Frame (13)
- The Scroll of T'Shaikaa, part one, Trek fiction with all original characters by Jim Rondeau (17)
- In Captain's Cabin, editorial (23)
- Identiclip by Lizette Leveille, Gennie Summers, Richard Heim (24)
- The Cargo Hold, ads (32)
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 17
Enclosed is a check in the amount of $3 for the next five issues of TCTS. I hope you will continue the excellent work.
I just finished reading #17 and it's great. I enjoyed the conclusion to "...Smith is Where?!" as well as part one of your story, "The Scroll of T'Shaikaa." Why haven't you written before? I think you're pretty good. I especially liked the return of Identiclip. I just can't get enough of it. The four episodes covered this issue are a lot better than the ones before since they go into greater detail. And even though I don't have many special effects clips, Identiclip Addenda by Richard Heim seems well researched.One last thing: while Melly Frame's "It's a Sehlat's Life" cover is OK, it should have been switched with J. Alan Tyler's back cover of Luke Skywalker. [42]
Sorry I haven't written earlier to comment on the latest issue of TCTS. Ye Mean Old Subscriber has been buried under mail, forms, work etc.
To be truthful, I feel a little funny commenting on an issue containing some of my own work.
M'dear, you sell yourself short as a writer! You are good and I mean it! "Scroll" is a good piece of fannish writing. Too many zine stories come off being slickly produced or worse yet, being written in phony pseudo-technical terms. I like your style; clean, direct, and very nice.
Y'know, TCTS has a certain, ah, well "charm" isn't precisely the word I wanted. TCTS has an appeal that the big, slick zines don't. TCTS seems far more fannish and therefore more attractive. Do you understand? Am I making any sense?
Now to criticize the zine: "Smith is Where?" seemed a let-down in its 2nd installment. You really had my interest in the first half, but the second pact seemed weak. It just didn't have the devious charm of the first part.
Glad to see a letter column. I was beginning to wonder (like you) if there were any other readers out there.
I always like to read your In the Captain's Cabin. I feel that you let your readers get to know you that way rather than being a formless name that says yea or nay to submissions.
I'd like to see how others react to my story next ish. If they don't like it I'll probably hang up my quill. But then again — I'm just mean enough to keep writing out of spite.
I'd hate to see TCTS come to an end. I've been with this zine slice its 2nd ish and I don't think I could bear it to see it go. In fandom's increasingly professional leanings, the fans are often ignored, but your zine was a glimmer of brightness in all this muck. (I too, am becoming increasingly fed up with fandom.) Well, that's about it for now. Keep on editing!Peace & stuff, Melly Frame -PS— Anytime you want to come to Napa and borrow my manual typewriter, you're welcome.[43]
TCTS #17 was waiting when I got back (from ST America) . Thanks for printing my ad. Loved the cover. Missed your editorial. Forgot to tell you last letter, but that's another thing I like about TCTS. I always read the editorial first in any Bine I buy. Always like to know what people are thinking.
"Smith is Where?!" ended well. Poor Mudd! Melly Frame's fashion drawings were very good. I particularly liked the Andorian females. "The Scroll of T'Shaikaa." Uh, well, it's not terrible. And it's interesting, with the suggestion of Abden's deep dark secret. Looking forward to seeing your view of ancient Vulcan. Identiclip is getting long. However did they dig up all that information? I've been trying to take notes on the episodes hut it all passes so quickly.I have a slide (it's a copy of a copy) that shows Sulu, from Naked Time, lying on the deck of the bridge after Spock gives him the nerve pinch. It's a head to waist shot, and there's someone's boots behind Sulu's head. The strange thing is that there is a pair of red shoes on Sulu's chest, a pair of red ruby slippers that look exactly like Dorothy's from The Wizard of Oz. I asked George Takei about it at ST America. He laughed but he didn't remember what was going on in the slide. Would you possibly have any idea? [44]
Issue 18
The Clipper Trade Ship 18 was published in November 1977 and contains 36 pages.
250 copies were printed. Contributions were by J. Alan Tyler, Mike Chiccelle, Shirley Landry, Signe Landon, Melly Frame, Gennie Summers, Paul Czaplicki, Mark Marmor, Amy L. Manring, Tina M. Carlson, Frankie Jemison, Terrence Oswald Knova, David Curtis Pearson, Richard Heim, and David J. Schow.The editor has a lot to say in this issue! From the editorial, the rise of Star Wars, and a warning:
From the editorial, sticking up for Star Trek, and other shows:By now you are all familiar with the Star Wars phenomena sweeping the country and fandom. ST fans are dropping ST like mad & taking up the SW banner. And because of the relatively free atmosphere they had with ST, they're carrying over the same things with SW: stories, fanzines, making buttons, collecting film clips, etc. etc. The first SW porn story has probably already been published by the time you read this. But what unsuspecting SW fans don't realize is that 20th Century Fox and its licensees are not letting their property to be so freely used as Star Trek was. The company that owns the rights to buttons, posters, etc., is not hesitating to slap a $1.1 million lawsuit on anyone selling buttons and the like not under their manufacture. The phrases "Star Wars" and "May the Force Be With You" have been trademarked. The FBI is confiscating stills from dealers. And various horror stories are beginning to circulate. Don't worry, though. The FBI won't break down your door for owning any SW' s items (unless you have a copy of the movie or stolen props). And by current copyright laws, 20th Century Fox can't do anything to you for writing SW stories — unless you use a trademarked phrase or two. (Use "SW" and "Go With the Force.") It is inevitable that SW fiction will find its way to these pages before these pages cease to exist.
From the editorial, copyright and politics:Remember Star Trek? Poor ol' ST. For a switch, here I am writing positive remarks. The fans are leaving it behind (almost as though they were Forced). And now that a new series is underway, fandom is attacking it en masse. Good grief, don't condemn it unseen, give it a chance. So what if we no longer have Spock and the same old Enterprise in the new series? (Haven't fans about worn out the possibilities of what one group could do in a five year period?) Just because the cast isn't exactly as it was third season doesn't mean it isn't ST. Remember Gene ("I'm laughing all the way to the bank") Roddenberry created the series on the concept of "wagon train to the stars," which does not necessarily mean "James T. Kirk, wagonmaster." You call "The Cage" ST, but the pilot had little in common with the series. So who's to say what is and what isn't ST? Admitted, some of the proposed changes don't sound good on paper. Based on the Writer's Guide, we have no Spock, but the rest are present, upgraded in command, except for Kirk, who turned down the Admiralty. New characters include a first officer named Bill ("First") Decker, a science officer named Xon (a Vulcan), and a totally bald woman alien from Delta 14, Iliya. Let's give the show a chance, at least. ST fans are usually SW fans — but why aren't they usually fans of other sf TV shows? Fantastic Journey, The Immortal, Planet of the Apes, Six Million Dollar Kan, Land of the Lost — and especially the older shows. Can't they remember anything before ST? Outer Limits, Science Fiction Theatre, Man Into Space, Space Patrol, Johnny Quest... And because of Lost In Space & Land of the Giants, do they automatically presume anything with the name "Irwin Allen" attached to it isn't worth a snow cone concession in Hades? One show that was excellent — and in my opinion superior to ST in high class drama — was and still is Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. And, surprisingly, the David Hedison Fan Club still, exists...
From the editorial, declining sales:A few years ago I raised the question of copyright on ST film clips. It was my contention that these cutting room floor scraps some of us collect were not copyrighted, not being part of the actual footage used in the final print, and hence not subject to Paramount's jurisdiction on selling, making photos from slides, etc. This brought trouble. The Star Trek Welcommittee (STW) higher-ups and other prominent fans assured me that I was wrong, and when Eric J. Anderson volunteered to research my proposal on TCTS's behalf (STW, of which he is a member, refused to let him write in their name as well) and began writing letters of inquiry around the country, the cries of protest from certain fans grew greater. TCTS's popularity began falling (and still is). Vicious rumors were spread about Eric. I grew tired of having long written arguments through the mail with some fans and finally asked Eric to summarize his findings, and for us on the surface to give up. Things began to quiet down...
Why did they want us to stop? They were afraid Paramount would suddenly be "awakened" by us and stomp down hard on most fan activities. Some were afraid that we'd be stomped first. That final report was to appear back in TCTS 12. It didn't. Things grew very quiet. Eric stopped writing, even to me, and so did I. The project faded away, leaving TCTS faintly scarred. The concerned fans may think they won. But the victory is ours.The victory is not necessarily complete, but this is why: Paramount took Thunderbird Films to court because Thunderbird Films wanted to mass market ST episodes to sell to the public. Paramount lost, as it became public that they had failed to copyright the first two seasons of ST. Hence any clips/slides from the first two seasons Paramount can lay no claim over. Still in doubt (but not to me) are third season cutting room floor scraps — but Eric's findings still support my original argument. As far as I'm concerned, this affair is over at last, and we are the winners.
As indicated, TCTS's popularity continues to wane. The subscription figures are appalling and too embarrassing to mention. About 27% of the paid subscriptions at last issue's mailing expired with that issue—and as the typing of this, darn few have renewed. Beginning with last issue, fewer copies of TCTS are being printed. This issue, as last, has a print run of 250. The next issue will be down to 200. And with each decrease, the printing cost goes up per issue, thus fewer pages. I don't mean to sound pessimistic! I'm just trying to forewarn steady readers what they might expect. I do have a few projects going on to increase subscriptions. TCTS is still my hobby, and doesn't make a profit.One complaint I've received is that my editorials no longer pack a punch — if I even have an editorial here at all. For four years now I've ranted and raved on all topics in the fan's dictionary, from Moonbase Alpha to Zachary (Smith). I can only say so much without sounding like a broken record. It's becoming harder and harder to write these things. Granted, I could blow my little tin horn on each aspect of SW fandom as I did with ST, but that wouldn't be original (even if I used as a basis that nut fan who wants to be in Guinness's book of records for seeing SW one hundred times) . I'm sorry! I've about run out of hot air, so you'll just have to happy with a tiny Captain's Cabin. Besides, it's not too thrilling to pour out so much oratory to a diminishing number of readers. I've just gone over the subscription list, and it is worse than I thought. What an I doing wrong? Why does a subscriber decide not to renew? I think I know part of the answer: Star Trek fandom is dying, partly from old age, partly from SW. Will those of you who are ST fans who are still with me a year from now be considered as diehards?
- In the Captain's Cabin, editorial (1)
- a lettercol (4)
- The Scroll of T'Shaikaa, conclusion by Jim Rondeau (The author writes in this issue that he'd been working on this story " off and on for two years, through several drafts. The original draft was a kraith satire/parody, with Sarek as the principle character kidnapped by Galt to force Jacqueline Lichtenberg to reveal the location of T'Shaikaa, the Mother Kraith.") (6)
- In Miniature -- Tellarites, by Paul Czaplicki (15)
- Communication Link by Mark Marmor (16)
- includes info on the Hugos
- has a con report for the recent Worldcon
- zine reviews for The Communicator #4/5 (see that page), "The Galaxy of Fandom" #2 (appears to be a pro or semi-pro zine)
- Flotsam and Jetsam (19)
- Diverse Verse, science fiction, Star Trek, and The Hobbit poetry by various fans (20)
- The Parting, Star Trek/My Favorite Martian fiction by Terrence Oswald Knova (21)
- Mugg Presents Sehlat Training, by David Curtis Pearson (23)
- Identiclip Addenda, by Richard Heim (supplements previous articles by Gennie Summers and Lizette Leveille) (24)
- The Cargo Hold, ads (26)
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 18
"Pseudoeditorial comment" re TCTS #18. I Hate to Say This, But... Perhaps ST's mass migration (of fandom) over to STAR WARS (et al) is a better thing than you realize—the nonserious fringe-os are weeded out, and instead of being a spread-out inefficient non-communicative mass, fandom again concentrates itself and its efforts back into an intelligent conglomerate, the way things were when fandom wasn't so in vogue. The fanzines will dwindle to a tight locus (no pun, please) of the ones most fit to survive, with no scattergunning, no duplication in effort—better, no wasted effort. In this scenario TCTS is fit to survive. Widespread fandom(s) may have made ST-related items more accessible, but what really have been the benefits of encompassing so many people? You've met nuts at cons aid so have I... and at the same time we've both come across that occasional, intelligent, literate sort who's as alienated from the gibbering ST hoardes as any 196? ST fan was from the "outside world." And although most fans won't admit it, much of the attraction of fandom is in being a part of an "elite" group—a gathering with a small number of members implies some sort of discrimination (and I'm blathering about taste, not race, fool!) — and anything that can distinguish one from the monkeymass is a welcome thing to a person who hates the more homogenizing aspects of society, At the same time we've seen the decline and fall of "big pro cons." You're right — ST fandom is dying from old age, but the aspect that's withering away is the transient part, the browsers, the noncommittals, and the ones, mostly, who made ST BIG BIZ. But if you and the TCTS staff were the only fans left, you see, ST fandom would not have died — but it IS in the process of being pruned, and as everybody knows, pruning is usually beneficial to growing organisms. [45]
You seem to draw so many conclusions in your editorial without backing them up with facts. None of your observations seems to be true, as far as I observe. This so-called Star Wars phenomena that is sweeping the country...
Sure, SW is very popular with everyone, including the ST fans. That doesn't mean all ST fans are leaving ST behind to jump on the SW bandwagon! By no means is that true. All ST fans that I've ever met aren't just ST fans—they're interested in everything from Aardvarks to zymurgy (that's fermentation chemistry, folks), with ST being somewheres down the middle of that. All my experience has shown that ST has simply been a meeting point drawing all these people with diverse interests together, giving them a common bond. All ST fans I know are also interested in general science, psychology, fantasy, and so forth—so things like SW, Tolkien, Gor, ERB, sf & ST all fit together. They also are interested and collect film clips, fanzines, books, etc. from all of these areas, but just because I "buy a SW book doesn't automatically mean I've given up ST! It is just that I've broadened my interests by one more category! Because SW is fantasy/sf it fits right in with ST fandom very well, and because it fits in so well it gets mixed right in without anyone batting an eyelash. ST fandom is based more on people whereas SW is more fx and action, so I think there will be a rift between the two factions during the next five years.But then, with ST's revival, the action & fx fans will be able to get that with ST—and with ST on each week, and SW movies coming out once a year or less, the ST fan will have more to draw on, and SW fandom won't become a fandom — it will be a parasite to the other fandoms, or as I said earlier, be one of the many diverse interests that all ST fans hold. I think this is really good—and shouldn't be a thing to be frightened of or to be mad at. Let's not start a war between so-called SW fandom and ST fandom—they should be and are one-and-the-same. [46]
Hello again! And thank you for the latest TGTS special. What's that? The reading audience is dribbling away? Hmmmmmm... could be that Trek fans have turned to the SW craze, as you say. I'm thinking that a change in the contents oi TCTS will be coming?
I thought your comments on the old series/movies being ignored by 'fans' were appropriate. But then, I can't blame the fans of today—many are yourger than you or I, and would have no opportunity to see the old shows, since a lot cf them aren't out in syndication everywhere in the U.S. One can't get excited over a film one has never seen, I suppose. However, we wonder why such professional "fanzines" like Cinefantastique do well after being around 7 years or so. What's their successful formula? I find it may be because of the photos and the actual background work and interviews with the people who worked on the old film projects, and also the latest releases. Wow—if you could only get in touch with the professionals on these—or at least have some "exclusive" interviews included. Even with some of your friends attending conventions and reporting on current science fiction/fantasy projects (and exclude what is called in journalism, unnecessary fillers: "I stayed at a hotel, we drove 2 miles out to the nearest Mac Donald's, etc. type of reporting. It's interesting fan reading, but if done over many issues—gets repetitive) helps in keeping the old journals fresh for long-time readers. More background news, even photos, technical (special effects, script revisions, etc.) news on the past and present filmic offerings would make more stimulating reading. I enjoy the Star Trek news and stories, but there are so many fanzines with ST — it's overkill that's killing your zine. Gotta get more interesting, "adult" reviews of other science fiction/fantasy subjects. As you say, rabid ST die-hards cannot long support TCTS, if the younger science audiences arcund today gets swept up in the SW parade. Maybe if you can issue fewer TGTS issue per year — and thereby put out a really professional, news-filled magazine. Too many issues drain your pocketbook and the creative juices. But your TCTS deserves survival—and I think a couple of issues or even one big issue a year would improve its circulation "life." Even reviews of the music from the classic TV &/or science shows would be interesting reading if you've got someone on your editor's staff with the ability to bring such a nebulous subject to a, well, "lively" presentation. What it all adds up to is that TCTS needs a jarring overhaul. ST audiences have (aside from liking a kid show like Star Wars) grown up, and even younger kids are getting (aaagh, cliche time) "hip" to the latest trends—which then makes Star Trek a sort of TV dinosaur—effects-wise, costume—it's taking a beating from the present creative techniques.Sorry if I seem to be writing in circles—but your stating TCTS may be in decline gave me a jolt—enough to write some comments (of questionable value, alas). [47]
I first bought TCTS because of the fact that it deals with film clip collecting, a hobby I was just beginning, but I soon found out there was much more to the zine than the articles and ads on film clips. The stories in the first Issue I received (#6) were the first amateur stories I ever read. Their quality surprised me, and I was stuck!
One thing about your fanzine I especially liked was the fact that they all had a light side. Either in stories, poems, or in your editorial, TCTS made me laugh. Unfortunately, the general feeling of the zine has been less and less lighter. The editorial ceased to be my favorite part of the zine. I hope you can get things in order and start bringing us an informative and, most important to me, enjoyable zine.Although the above is not the brightest letter of comment, I wuld like to thank you for bringing us such a beautiful fanzine, and I hope it continuss for years to come. [48]
Thank you for the Star Trek clips. To my surprise (pleasant), I found TCTS 18 in my box just a few hours after I received your letter, which you had mailed at the same time,
I really loved this issue. Tho Communication Link was the highlight of the issue. It was truly a zine within a zine, and the news and zine reviews were great! The Stuncon report was okay, but he seemed a little over concerned with the price of candy bars and cokes—spending just as much time talking about taxes and such as he did describing the activities. And complaining about the aisles being too wide! Whew! "The Parting" was also very good. I always enjoy reading stories from other TV shows--like UFO? Hint, hint. Seriously, though, I would like to see a story taken from the show UFO, which was one of my favorites. I also thought your story was great. Although the pace was a little slow for me, I thought it was very well written. I don't know if I like the ending, though. And "...some things in our universe that should never be known" seems a little out of place in a science fiction story. And not a very good way of ending the story—only a quick way. Don't let that bother you, though. I still enjoyed the story.Loved your editorial! You really hit the nail on the head with your comments on Star Trek. It really brought a flair of the older issues to mind. That's about all. Thank you for a great zine and May the Force Be With You. [49]
So the Trekkie rats are deserting a sinking Enterprise in favor of SW? So, they probably are that frivolous, fickle element of fans. I'm interested in the more mature ST fan's opinion of SW. The SW illos on TCTS's bow and stern are excellent. Tyler is getting better and netter. Loved those crazy borders! Now then, please tell me how he did those half-tones. Is that pencil, an ink wash, or what? How would heavy pencil reproduce in TCTS? Did the covers require special treatment and cost to reproduce? I like the shading Signe used on her splendid illo of McCoy and Gem! I presume that's dry-brush stipple work? [50]
I still like TCTS and when it comes time to renew I shall. I like TCTS because it still maintains an amateur (though well produced), individual, fannish appeal. I think the thing that hurt Star Trek fandom the most is commercialization — the swarm of profit minded business types who slap a Star Trek label on junk and foist it off on gullible "trekkie-groupies." But TCTS has never had that commercial slickness about it.
I loved "Smith is Where?" I can just envision the havoc Dr. Smith would wrack in the Star Trek universe. I wonder what would happen if Helena Russel were unleashed (with fresh batteries) on the Enterprise?May the Force Be With You. [51]
I think you're right about accepting Trek II with open minds. [Fans] should but they won't. Changes of dogma are not easily accepted by fanatics. Fandom is bound to splinter because of it.
Funny you should mention Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea — I'm an old devotee. It wasn't all that bad of a show. Hell, even Lost in Space had its moments. How easily the true believers sweep Omega Glory and a few other turkeys under the carpet.
Do you really need to be told why subbers don't renew? You're too good for them. Ms. Average Trekkie hears about your zine, sends $$—goodness, no pages and pages of "lay-Kirk&Spock-with-each-other," no pages and pages of mawkish poetry about brotherly love, no lettercol for half these clowns to pat the other half on the back, no nude Kirk/Spock/Scotty/whoever illos. No "goshwow isn't it great to be a Trekfan" bullshit like that which fills so many zines.In other words, if you downgrade your product you could probably build up the sub list, but why bother? [52]
Issue 19
The Clipper Trade Ship 19 was published in January 1978 and contains 36 pages.
Contributors: Ronald Megrossi, Mark Marmor, Richard Heim, tif, Paul Czaplicki, David J.Schow, Steve Dixon, Diana Stahl, Melly Frame, Lela Dowling, Gennie Summers, Lizette Leveille, and Jim Rondeau.From the editorial:
All sorts of trouble has been brewing in the Cargo Hold lately. I've been getting reports of people advertising material for sale and not delivering when ordered, as well as people advertising wanting material, then never showing inclination of wanting it when offered them, as well as other kinds of incidents. A year ago I never had this problem; it seems to be a recent phenomena that I'd like to see squashed before it gets out of hand. TCTS was created for the specific purpose of providing a bulletin board for clip collectors and other fannish hobbies, and I'd hate to have to do away with ads if corruption sets in. Granted, I am not legally responsible for any crooked advertiser, and there has yet to be confirmed any case of actual dishonest/', but I feel I have some sort of responsibility for all that occurs aboard my "ship." A new set of rules and guidelines are no in effect, so all those who make use of tie Cargo Hold should read the notice at the beginning of that section. The trouble in the Cargo Hold seems to largely stem from the lack of communication between advertiser and reader, rather than designed misrepresentation in the ad. Either the ad doesn't say enough or say it clearly enough, or the advertiser doesn't follow through completely in communicating when the ad is responded to. Plain lack of communication. That's something we're all guilty of at times in our life. We never have the time to always communicate properly, which invariably leads to misunderstanding. Friendships fall apart, marriages dissolve, television shows cancelled., and nations go to war.
- In the Captain's Chair, editorial (1)
- Flight of the Unicorn, fantasy fiction with elves by Melly Frame (3)
- From a Fine Point, art portfolio by Lela Dowling (7)
- Unshot Star Trek Script: The Gamesters of Pentatholon (13)
- Identiclip by Lizette Leveille and Gennie Summers (17)
- Flotsam and Jetsam (25)
- The First Elfl Tale, includes humorous small illos by Melly Frame, by Jim Rondeau (26)
- The Cargo Hold, ads (29)
Issue 20
The Clipper Trade Ship 20 was published in April 1978 and contains 36 pages.
- Letters of Comment (1)
- Communication Ink (9)
- Identiclip by Lizette Leveille and Gennie Summers (10)
- Identiclip Addenda by Richard Heim (16)
- The Beast Within, fantasy fiction by Susan Landerman (18)
- Adverse, poems by various fans (22)
- Unshot Outer Limits Script, Natural Selection (23)
- In a Rut, Trek fiction by Terrence Knova (27)
- The Cargo Hold, ads (28)
Issue 21
The Clipper Trade Ship 21 was published in July 1978 and contains 36 pages.
There were 250 copies printed.
Contributors: Ron Megrossi, Diana Lynn Carlson-Sherbo, Lela Dowling, D.L. Collin, Debby Chapman, Carl Lamb, Chris McWilliams, Frank Panucci, Robert Dolsay, Paul Czaplicki, Bill Norton, Richard Heim, Signe Landon, Lizette Leveille, Gennie Summers, Robyn Thompson, Daniel Down, Kathi Lynn Higley.The editorial is lengthy, and one subject is science fiction on television, and how difficult it is to sustain quality shows, how shows come and go too quickly. Also:
Star Trek still survives, as does ST fandom. Long time readers may recall (with a shudder) that I, a ST fan, have aired many criticisms of ST fandom on past pages. One subject I've not touched upon is fanzines: who should be doing them, contributing to them.
Contrary to the opinion I've heard expressed in fandom many times, I think anyone should. Editing, drawing, and writing are expressions of creativity, imagination, freedom, and devotion. And fan doesn't mean it has to be good—'good is a relative term. As long as the person doing it is satisfied, that's the main thing. There is too much destructive criticism in fandom. Fans are saying outright that so-and-so shouldn't be editing, drawing, or writing, with the reason "well, I don't like it, it's poor." With constructive criticism and a positive attitude, the writer or artist or editor can be given a chance to improve, instead of being discouraged to the point of giving up, and later on produce a really admirable piece. Too many creative fans are stopped too soon. We all weren't born professional editors, writers, and artists; we have to learn.
Unfortunately, some fans don't stop at "well, I don't like it." They also say "I don't like you, either." Clashing personalities and a vicious streak in some people result in some fans being verbally abused and defamed — sometimes openly in fanzine, leading to threats of libel suits — with ugly rumors, and blacklisting occurring — all because some people can't live up to some of Star Trek's basic premises, the ability to say "I disagree, but respect your right to an opinion," and IDIC—infinite diversity in infinite combinations. (Star Trek fans in general seem to be very violent in thought.) These people aren't exactly destroying fandom, but they are having an adverse effect. Whereas the "I don't like it'"s are discouraging those just starting, or those who need to improve (who doesn't?), the "I don't like you's" are in addition causing very talented fans to become fed up with fandom and leave it. We, fandom, lose. And we have lost some topnotch creative fans because of this.Space: 1999 fandom, on the other hand, doesn't seem to have all this bickering that ST fandom has, maybe because its fandom is so young, its fans so determined and well aware of any shortcomings or messages their series has? Does a fandom become senile after ten years? Anyway, this issue was to be a Space: 1999 thematic issue, but, as usual, difficulties arose. S:99 is getting more popular: more fanzines are coming out solely devoted to it ('99 stories have appeared in major ST zines), a large '99 convention is planned this summer in the midwest, and more people are watching it. (Be honest: have you watched it more than twice?) The problem: With so much demand there's suddenly a slight shortage of '99 material. Chuck Raue, coeditor of the S:99 letter of comment zine ComLoC (I'm very impressed with the fans' letters printed therein), suggested a year ago for a '99 issue of TCTS, and volunteered to help scout out stories and art, and together we could not come up with much; it has all been promised to other zines.... Luckily, I've found no such shortage on Star Wars material for next issue's theme.
- In the Captain's Cabin, editorial (1)
- Someday, poem by Debby Chapman (3)
- The Rules of Luton, Space: 1999 filk by Carl Lamb (4)
- That Sleep of Death, Trek fiction by Robert Dolsay (5)
- In Miniature, article about creating models of John Koenig and Alan Carter from Space: 1999, by Paul Czaplicki (14)
- A Reading, Space: 1999 or original science fiction, by Bill Norton (15)
- Identiclip Addenda by Richard Heim (16)
- Identiclip by Lizette Leveille and Gennie Summers (18)
- Lonelier Than Himself, Trek fiction by Robyn Thompson (23)
- On Clips & Slides, introductory article about where to find them, store them... (24)
- Flotsam & Jetsam (26)
- The Cargo Hold, ads (27)
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 21
Thank you for my latest copy of TCTS #21. Enjoyed your editorial very much.
It does seem that some people have very set ideas about Star Trek and life in general. This sentence in your editorial says the things that come in my mind: "The ability to say 'I disagree, but respect your right to an opinion,' and IDIC—infinite diversity in infinite combinations." I wish all would think that way, because all should write and do as they wish. If you do not like it, do not buy their zine.
Your reading audience may be dropping, but for me, I will renew when the time comes.Ms. Schultz's letter in #20 brings up many interesting points about TCTS. It may not have the illos or stories like other zines, but it does keep one in touch with other fans, and it's a good place for all to buy, trade and sell their wares. [53]
TCTS #21 was excellent! I have enjoyed this issue more than any of the others I have received starting with — I think —#l6. Your bit about fanzine publishing in "In the Captain's Cabin" was quite regenerating, as well as giving editors such as myself another "foot to stand on." Thanks alot! "That Sleep of Death" by Bob Dolsay was certainly very interesting. I can't remember b another piece like it before in Treklit. I have seen a similar setting before like this, but the story was well written and quite enjoyable. Maybe I'm just dense (...no smart comments!), but "A Heading" by Bill Norton at first made no sense to me whatsoever. However, after I reread the piece, I found that I really liked it! Bravo! [54]
Issue 22
The Clipper Trade Ship 22 contains 32 pages and was published in October 1978.
300 copies were printed.
Contributors: Gee Moaven, Doug Herring, T.O. Knova, Lela Dowling, Melly Frame, Frank Panucci, J. Alan Tyler, Lizette Leveille, Paul Czaplicki, Gennie Summers, D.L. Collin, Richard Heim, Kirk Trummel, Bill Norton, Gloria-Ann Rovelstad, Amy L. Manring.From the editorial:
The old copyright law, and the new one that replaced it on January 1 of this year, were designed to protect the rights of an artist, writer, or musician of his creation. The new law, however, provides much more protection than before, and fanzine writers, artists, and editors could easily find themselves in trouble, should a copyright holder move in to protect his rights. The key to this possible dispute is in how strictly the term "derivative work" is interpreted. The copyright on an item extends to its derivative work, derivative work being defined in the law as "a work based upon one or more preexisting works, such as a translation, musical arrangement, dramatization, fictionalization, motion picture version, sound recording, art reproduction, abridgement, condensation, or any other form in which a work nay be recast, transformed, or adapted, A work consisting of editorial revisions, annotations, elaborations, or other modifications which, as a whole, represent an original work of authorship, is a 'derivative work."" This means (l do not claim to be an authority on law) that, fairing Twentieth Century-Fox and Star Wars for example, all stories and artwork based on Star Vars are derivative works (inasmuch as the copyright extends down to a single film clip) protected under Twentieth Century-Fox's copyright. The company, if it chooses, could sue any fanzine, editor, artist, or writer that is involved with a "derivative work" of Star Wars.
The likelihood of something like this happening is very small, yet the possibility does exist—especially for 20th Century-Fox with regards to Star Wars (along with Star Wars Corporation) They have already shown an unusual amount of zeal, perhaps an other than rational fervor, in protecting their property. They are in the process of sueing Universal Studios, claiming that Battlestar Galactica is a SW ripoff. They have worked closely with the FBI on the largest operation against film piracy in history. And they have enjoined the FBI to investigate one step further, and go after possibly illegal posters, stills, trinkets, and film clips.
The latter, as TCTS readers are well aware, are of interest to a large minority of this fanzine's following. By the copyright law it is illegal to dupe clips or make prints from them in order to make a personal profit (presuming the clips have a valid copyright) there is the principal of "first sale" that virtually nullifies the copyright, see the copyright law). However, the simple trafficking in film clips themselves is another matter. The copyright law with respects to that is not a clear shade of black or white, but an unresolved grey—perhaps a very light grey. That they are copyrighted is no dispute, nonetheless, there are aspects of the law that indicate them legal to be sold. This is all leading up to a peculiar series of events that recently began to which no conclusion has yet been reached. They involve film clips, the FBI, 20th Century-Fox, and the editor of a small fanzine in part devoted to the hobby of collecting film clips (who shall remain nameless by necessity).
It began early in a summer month when two FBI agents made a small raid on a little movie memorabilia shop In a not-so-major city on the West Coast. Their objective was to confiscate a number of film clip packets that were for sale there, and to learn their origin. Not having a search warrant didn't deter them (a rather illegal move on their part), and the shopowner was too intimidated to consider it. They first I demanded that he sign a paper that would waive his legal frights, which he rightly refused to do. Then they demanded that he sign a paper authorizing them to destroy the film clips should they decide they were illegal, in violation of the copyright law (no specific charge was made). He agreed to that, but on a very limited basis: only packets that were his own. As it was, 95% the packets bad been left on consignment by the fanzine editor. The form they had him sign did not list film clips, just things like bootleg records and tapes, which they had to cross out in order to write in "film clips," An agent signed a receipt (a plain piece of paper with the terms handwritten, the signature almost illegible, with no address other than city and state) for the items taken. They insisted that the shopowner divulge the identity of his supplier, making veiled threats, giving him one week to have the supplier (the editor) contact them when he refused. They left, and he has yet to hear from then again, many weeks after their first and only visit.
He, like many people, is very afraid of the FBI; we all have heard peculiar stories of government law enforcement agencies that make us wonder just which side of the law are they really on. So had the fanzine editor, as well as stories particular to the film collecting hobby. The shopowner called him that night to inform the editor of the incident. (Side note: the shopowner, until that night, hadn't had the editor's address and phone number. He had to do some elementary detective work: locating an old film clip ad of the editor, getting -the address, and calling Information for the number. More curiously, the editor advertises his film clip packets, as do other's, once every three months in two major collectors' periodicals—newspapers that the FBI subscribes to as well. In fact, his last ads came out after the raid.) There was a bit of panic. Two nights of frantic long distance phone calls yielded a small amount of free legal advice from a man who had passed the Bar and sold film clips as well. He advised as a precautionary measure in order to avoid months of costly and needless litigation to store elsewhere anything in the editor's possession relating to film, and not to talk to the FBI without first getting a lawyer. Sound advice, as both were familiar with the FBI's lack of knowledge when it comes to copyright and film. Too many times the FBI has equated film owning with film piracy, and if they were after film clips (and the coming attractions previews they were from), nothing was safe left at the editor's residence. However, by this time the editor was beginning to think more rationally, as he remembered that (at least, to his knowledge) he wasn't guilty of anything. So he only moved some material to a safer place, and got a lawyer. As the days slipped by, while the lawyer did research in the matter, he came to realize that the chances the FBI would come knocking on his door were very remote. The lawyer got back to him, having checked the laws applicable, and having talked to one of the FBI agents that had made the raid.
Legally, he confirmed the editor's findings, and advised not allowing the FBI to interview him — too many fishy things were going on. The agent had admitted that they were acting on the behalf of 20th Century-Fox/star Wars, from an alleged complaint against the shop (a bit more irony here: the editor had left SW packets at the shop for the first time a few days before the raid, the months previously the shopowner had sold his own), and that they didn't know what they were going to do with the film clips, except, perhaps, send them to their respective studios for "testing"—something they still hadn't done weeks after the raid. They can't quite pinpoint {yet, If possible) anything illegal about them. The agent once said it was all right to sell to sell the coming attractions preview the clips came from, but one couldn't cut the preview up and sell the individual frames) that makes no sense. Further advice the lawyer gave was not to press any suit or try to get most of the packets back, as it would alert the film companies who might then try to legally close up the sources of film clips. And there's where the situation stands as of the writing of this.
The portions of Title 17, the copyright law, applicable to film clips are these: Section 106 (3), which authorizes the copyright holder "to distribute copies or phonorecords of the copyrighted work to the public by sale or other transfer of ownership, or by rental, lease, or lending," and Section 109 (a), "not withstanding the provisions of Section 106 (3), the owner of a particular copy or phonorecord lawfully made under this title, or any person authorized by the owner, is entitled, without the authority of the copyright holder, to sell or otherwise dispose of the possession of that copy or phonorecord." The previews do come to public possession through legal channels—so far. Should a film company seek to prosecute someone selling film clips, the ultimate outcome would be an attempt to dry up the source of new film clips.(The preceding should definitely conclude the long-running controversy in TCTS on the legality of Star Trek clips. Paramount maintained for years that they were illegal to sell, yet never attempted to prosecute anyone.)
- an untitled religious poem, Christian, by Gennie Summers, first page
- In the Captain's Cabin, editorial (1)
- A Hint of Spice, A Touch of Ego, Star Wars fiction by Lizette Leveille (5)
- In Miniature, article about building model miniature space craft, by Paul Czaplicki (11)
- More on Clips and Slides (12)
- Identiclip by Lizette Leveille and Gennie Summers (13)
- Identiclip Addenda by Richard Heim (16)
- See and Ye Shall Lose, Star Wars fiction by Bill Norton (18)
- Letters of Comment (23)
- Thoughts of a Dejected Wookiee by Amy L. Manring (24)
- The Cargo Hold, ads (26)
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 22
I don't think I've ever written an LOC for TCTS. I think it is a nice little zine. Especially good, and helpful, is the Cargo Hold and the past articles on clip collecting. The fiction isn't as good as in other zines, but the specialty stuff in yours makes up for it. I liked #22, being Star Wars. The two stories were fine, except I don't think SW needs and Vulcans as in "A Hint of Spice." Your editorial--sent shivers down my spine. A horror story for Halloween? It's hard to believe the FBI would care that much about some fan's two-bit operation. While I was doing my zine, I read things in the fanzines about getting sued for copyright infringements, etc. I ignored it. Now I doubt they're going to 'get' me for writing SW or collecting clips. G.L. and Co. have bought a couple of zines already. I doubt they would actually buy a fanzine just to grab us later. Sure, 20th Century-Fox sued or wants to sue Universal. But to me, that just looks like the usual studio wars. Anyway, I hope nothing bad happens to you or anyone else because of a love for SW. May the Force certainly be with you. [55]
Issue 23
The Clipper Trade Ship 23 was published in January 1979 and contains 33 pages. 300 copies were printed.
The contributors were: Eileen Roy, Frank Panucci, J. Alan Tyler, Amy L. Manring, Susan Landerman, Gennie Summers, Dennis Dorris, Gloria-Ann Rovelstad, Mark Slone and Jim Rondeau.
One of the focus of the editorial is the new Star Trek: The Motion Picture; the editor was there for some of the filming -- look for the line about Scotty and the trash compactor!
- Robert Foxworth as Questor (front cover)
- In the Captain's Cabin, editorial(1)
- Verse, poems by Amy L. Manring, Susan Landerman (2)
- The 2nd Elfl Tale by Jim Rondeau (3)
- Unshot, by Jim Rondeau, an article/transcription of an unfilmed episode of Questor (6)
- A Day of Love, original fiction, not credited (16)
- News, by Mark Slone (17)
- When You Care, a Questor story by Eileen Roy (18)
- The Cargo Hold, ads (27)
- The Film Pirate (back cover, possibly a photo of the editor)
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 23
This will be the sixth year in print for this nice little zine featuring ST, SF, fantasy, and clip collecting and identifying. This issue was dedicated mostly to Gene Roddenberry's 1974 pilot for a series called The Questor Tapes. There were possibly 16 scripts written for it, and the pilot received good ratings, but it was pushed out by The Bionic Man. Jim gives a very good story outline and background of the pilot and series, plus an unshot episode script. Do Star Trek fans know that Majel Barrrett was in the Questor pilot? There is an excellent Questor story by Eileen Roy, titled 'When You Care.' TCTS also has other short stories and poems, plus the editorial page, 'Captain's Cabin' and 'The Cargo Hold' (a six-page section of ads)... a good zine. [56]
Panucci's Spock was fabulous. Very good placement; it looked as though he was ready to defend your editorial. And your editorial — well, well, editorials come and go "but this one was definitely one of your best. (Of course the fact that I agree with you totally may have something to do with it.) But honestly, Mork and Mindy isn't that bad. Okay, so it's not sf or even fantasy, but it is entertaining and doesn't try to pass it off as sf. Mork asks the most inspired dumb questions...
...I still don't believe that I will live to see the ST movie. I'm a big ST fan, but my patience and credibility have taken an awful stretching. If I'm such a big fan how come I'm not ecstatic? Post-starship depression, maybe?
The 2nd Elfl Tale was in a word PUTRID! (But I loved it.) I'm a glutton for punishment.
I'll quickly go through the rest of the zine. Unshot was as usual your usually brilliant job of editing. You never cease to amaze met "News" by Mark Slone was a tad too familiar. I've read basically the same thing by some major sf writer some years back, although I can't for the life of me remember who as I've read so much of the stuff. Anywho, I expect to have my Tomish plot the untimely demise of the pooch next door any day now.
"When You Care" was excellent and refreshing. Of course it was the first fiction piece I've read on Questor so I'm relatively open to it."Porky Mutant" — oh bar! Have mercy!!! [57]
On the cover is a superbly screened picture of Robert Foxworth that held my eyes for several moments. How'd you ever get such a magnificent print and have it come out so well through the screening process? The prints on pages 9 and 2k are pretty good, too.
The page that really caught my attention was page 16. "A Day of Love" is the best story I have read, ever. It's a gem, a jewel that will shine on forever. I like the innocent style, which makes the numerous puns even funnier!This being a special Questor issue, none of the regular features were included. Of course this is logical and good for the zine, but nevertheless I felt something was missing. [58]
I really liked your last issue of TCTS #23- I appreciated all the information on the Questor series, the good photos, and the story script, as I don't know where else I could have got it. The story by Eileen Roy was excellent. It took me a while to figure that it wasn't really an actual script story that you had put in later.
As to the 2nd Elfl Tale, well, what could I say. It was kind of cute with those drawings and all. My sense of humor appreciates about everything, but has not met with that kind very often! What's that style called?... I liked your photo on the backof TCTS 23! Is that really how you cut clips? [59]
I enjoyed TCTS #2 - although I could have done without the 2nd Elfl Tale. I also missed Identiclip and hope that it returns in the next issue. [60]
Issue 24
The Clipper Trade Ship 24 was printed in April 1979 and contains 36 pages.
300 copies were printed.
Contributors: J. Alan Tyler, Mel Frame, Frank Panucci, Gennie Summers, Amy L. Manring, Dragon Wieler White, Dixie G. Owen, Paul Czaplicki, Susan Landerman, Lela Dowling, Richard Heim, S.K. Dixon, T.O. Knova, Kirk Trummel, Gloria-Ann Rovelstad, and Lizette Leveille.There is a follow-up, of sorts, to the editorial in the previous issue. The editor writes:
There has been a conclusion to the adventure of the FBI confiscating film clip packets I had left on consignment at a movie memorabilia shop related two issues ago. On January 2, five months after they had been confiscated, the agent in charge of the investigation phoned me up and simply informed me that the investigation was completed, and the film clips were being returned without comment. A few months before he had threatened me with legal proceedings if I continued to refuse to sign a form allowing them to destroy the clips. I had the clips dropped off at my lawyer's, rather than travelling forty miles to pick them up. The only thing missing in the batch, with no explanation given, were the three SW packets of the group. Presumably the FBI had sent them to 20th Century-Fox for analysis, and the film company refused to return them. So much for film clips and the FBI.
- In the Captain's Cabin, editorial (1)
- Letters of Comment (2)
- Hollow Mockery, original science fiction by Dragon Weiler White (8)
- Other Zines, Other Views, zine reviews by Dixie Owen (11)
- a review of Enterprise Incidents #6, see that page
- a review of Echoes of the Empire #1, see that page
- In Miniature, focus on Star Trek: The Motion Picture by Paul Czaplicki (13)
- The Ways of Her Mother, original fantasy fiction by Susan Landerman (14)
- Fined Lined Friends, art by Lela Dowling (17)
- Identiclip Addenda by Richard Heim (18)
- Beachhead, Star Trek/Incredible Hulk fiction by Terrence O. Knova (21)
- Unshot, article by Jim Rondeau about some differences in the scripts and what was actually filmed (24)
- Identiclip by Lizette Leveille (26)
- The Cargo Hold, ads (31)
Issue 25
The Clipper Trade Ship 25 was published in July 1979 and contains 24 pages.
300 copies were printed.
Contributors: Clare Bell, Gennie Summers, Melody Frame, Terrence O. Knova, Dixie G. Owen, Susan Landerman, Lisa Wahl, Frank Panucci, and Jim Rondeau.
- In the Captain's Chair, editorial (1)
- Enter Solo, Star Wars fiction by Terrence O. Knova and Jim Rondeau (3)
- Other Zines, Other Views (reviews) (15)
- Illusions, see that page
- Pastak #5, see that page
- Solar Sailors, see that page
- Odyssey #3, see that page
- Eel-Bird Bander's Bulletin #2, see that page
- The Blue Bag, original science fiction by Susan Landerman (18)
- Bridge Over Tribbled Waters, "a true nostalgic reminiscence" by Lisa Wahl (20)
- The Cargo Hold, ads (21)
Issue 26
The Clipper Trade Ship 26 was published in October 1979 and contains 35 pages. Jim Rondeau now has a co-editor: Melody Frame.
300 copies were printed.
Contributors: Alicia Austin, Melody Frame, Frank Panucci, J. Alan Tyler, Elaine Tripp, Steve K. Dixon, R. Laurraine Tutihasi, Dixie G. Owen, Gennie Summers, Lizette Leveille, Susan Landerman, Carol Christensen, Sandra H. Necchi, and Roger Hill.
- In the Captain's Chair, editorial (1)
- Letters of Comment (2)
- Other Zines, Other Views (fanzine reviews by Dixie Owen) (5)
- Intersect #1 see that page
- Star Canticle #2, see that page
- Stellar Gas #1, see that page
- Academy Chronicles #6, see that page
- Captain Uhura, see that page
- Imitation Glass by Carol Christensen (8)
- Trial of the Innocents by Sandra H. Necchi (12)
- Unshot by Roger Hill (18)
- Poems from "Cage of Dreams" by Susan Landerman (24)
- Identiclip by Lizette Leveille and Gennie Summers (25)
- The Cargo Hold, ads (29)
Issue 27
The Clipper Trade Ship 27 was published in January 1980 and contains 36 pages.
250 copies were printed.
Contributors: Terry Lipanovich, Sheryl Adsit, J. Alan Tyler, S.K. Dixon, Melody Frame, Carrie Daugherty, Elaine Tripp, Clare Bell, Michelle DeLude, Peggy Hogan, Gennie Summers. Richard Heim Jr., Laura Virgil, Dixie G. Owen, and Kent Bingham.
- In the Captain's Cabin, editorial (1)
- Letters of Comment (4)
- The Emperor's Visitor, or King Log's Epilog, Star Trek and I Claudius fiction by Clare Bell (7)
- The Other Side, Star Trek fiction by Michelle DeLude (11)
- !!, Star Trek RPF starring Mark Lenard as The Romulan Commander by Lee Roberts (16)
- Indenticlip Addenda by Richard Heim Jr. (18)
- The 4rd Elfl Tale by Jim Rondeau and Melody Frame (19)
- Other Zines, Other Views (fanzine reviews by Dixie Owen) (21)
- Unshot by Jim Rondeau (23)
- The Cargo Hold, ads (30)
Issue 28
The Clipper Trade Ship 28 was published in April 1980 and contains 36 pages.
250 copies were printed.
Contributors: Signe Landon, Ruth Berman, Dixie G. Owen, Gloria-Ann Rovelstad, Frank Panucci, Melody Frame, Steve Anderson, Kirk Trummel, Dian Hardison, Sandra Robnett, Steven K. Dixon, Cynthia Case, Susan Laderman, Alicia Austin, J. Alan Tyler, and Gennie Summers.
- Sun Dragons, poem by Ruth Berman (inside front cover)
- In the Captain's Cabin, editorial (19)
- Other Zines, Other Views (fanzine reviews by Dixie G. Owen, Gloria-Ann Rovelstad) (1)
- Guardian #2, see that page
- Saurian Brandy Digest #21, see that page
- Mahko Root #2, see that page
- Lifetime, a Man From Atlantis story by Dian Hardison (5)
- Letters of Comment (13)
- Dreamspeak, a M'ress (Star Trek Animated) story by Melody Frame (23)
- Unshot (25)
- The Cargo Hold, ads (33)
Issue 29
The Clipper Trade Ship 29 was published in July 1980 and contains 32 pages. In this issue, Jim and Melody announce they are getting married. :)
250 copies were printed.
Contributors: Signe Landon, Amy Falkowitz, Miriam Pace, Elaine Tripp, Gloria-Ann Rovelstad, Kent Bingham, Laura Virgil, Lizette Leveille, Gennie Summers, Terrence O. Knova, Melody Rondeau, Jim Rondeau.
- In the Captain's Cabin, editorial (1)
- Letters of Comment (2)
- I B U S, Quark fiction "based on a mistake by Alan Dean Foster," by Terrence O. Knova (4)
- The Loneliest Number, Trek fiction with a focus on the character of "Miri," by Miriam Pace (22)
- Identiclip by Lizette Leveille (24)
- The Cargo Hold, ads (30)
Issue 30
The Clipper Trade Ship 30 was published in October 1980 and contains 32 pages.
250 copies were printed.
Artists: Signe Landon, Larua Virgil, Peggy Hogan, Gennie Summers, Terry Lipanovich, Bill Anderson, J. Alan Tyler, R.G. Pollard, Melody Rondeau, Dennis Dorris, Carrie Dougherty, Sandy Robnett, C.L. Healy, Susan Landerman, S.K. Dixon, Sheryl Adsit, Gloria-Ann Rovelstad.
- In the Captain's Cabin, editorial (1)
- Letters of Comment (2)
- Something Gained, Man from Atlantis fiction by Dian Hardison (5)
- In Miniature, a Buck Rogers article by Paul Czaplicki (12)
- Art Galley (13)
- Identiclip Addenda by Richard Heim (21)
- Other Zines, Other Views (fanzine reviews by Dixie G. Owen and Melody Rondeau) (22)
- Games of Love and Duty, see that page
- Rim of Starlight #5, see that page
- Enter-comm #1, see that page
- R & R #12, see that page
- Grip #7, see that page
- The Cargo Hold, ads (25)
Issue 31
The Clipper Trade Ship 31 was published in January 1981 and contains 36 pages.
300 issues were printed.
Artists: Frank Panucch, John P. Alexander, Joy Ashenfelder, Dorothy Bradley, Carrie Dougherty, Mike Chiccielli, Melody Rondeau, Jim Rondeau.
- In the Captain's Cabin, editorial (1)
- Letters of Comment (2)
- Deneva Darkness, Star Trek fiction by Beth Carlson (4)
- The Friendship of Califia and Clydenholt, a Society for Creative Anachronism story by Rosemary Petsley (8)
- K-K-K Kolchak, the Knightstalker, filk to the tune of "K-K-K Katie" by Shirley Meech (9)
- A Peter Potter People Interview, Star Trek by Sandy Hall (10)
- California's Mysterious Merman, a reprint of an article from "Diver" magazine (12)
- To a Fellow Alien, Man from Atlantis poem (?) by Dian Hardison (13)
- A Day is a Day is a Day, Star Trek fiction by Richard Pollet (14)
- Star Trek's Broadcast History, article art one by Tim Farley (17)
- Unshot (19)
- The 4th Elfl Tale by Jim and Melody Rondeau (24)
- The Cargo Hold, ads (30)
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 31
This is a small, quarterly fanzine devoted to Star Trek, science fiction, fantasy,and film. This particular issue contains Star Trek, Society for Creative Anachronism, Man from Atlantis, and Christmas material. The non-ST material was neither lengthy nor distinguished, so I will skip over it and go straight to the ST material. TCTS No. 31 contains three ST stories and two ST articles, all short. The best story is "Deneva Darkness" by Beth Carlson. It is an excellent post OPERATION ANIHILATE story emphasizing the Chapel/Spock relationship. It's nice to see Chapel as a competent professional instead of a love-sick twit. "A Peter Potter People Interview" by Sandy Hall is also an interesting piece in its own right. This interview parody investigates why a perfectly normal and intelligent young woman can watch Star Trek without becoming a rabid Trekkie. The third piece, "A Day is a Day is a Day" by Richard G. Pollet is a typical Christmas on the Enterprise story. For me, the highlights of the 'zine were the fact articles. Part one of Tim Farley's "Star Trek's Broadcast History" will fascinate the historians and trivia buffs. However, "Unshot" alone is worth the price of the zine. This article presents the first drafts of the scripts for two episodes, OBSESSION and SPOCK'S BRAIN. You think those episodes were bad — you should see the first drafts. The zine also has an ad section called The Cargo Hold, which contains ads for all kinds of strange stuff. For example, it contains 'wanted'/and 'for sale' 'ads for film clips from STAR TREK and many other sf/fantasy/horror films and TV series. There are also ads for DARK SHADOWS fanzines and fan clubs for Ann-Margret and David Hedison (VOYAGE TO TIE BOTTOM OF THE SEA). [61]
Issue 32
The Clipper Trade Ship 32 was published in 1981 and contains 32 pages.
There were 300 issues printed.
Artists: Melody Rondeau, Terry Lipanovich, Gennie Summers, John P. Alexander, Carrie Daugherty, Cynthia Case, Bill Anderson, G. Hof, Frank Panucci, Peggy Hogan, Sandy Robnett, Vel Jaeger, Susan Landerman.
- In the Captain's Cabin, editorial (1)
- The Carnivorous Drooze, original science fiction? by Michelle De Lude (6)
- Letters of Comment (8)
- Going Home, original science fiction by James Ellison (12)
- Other Zines, Other View, fanzine reviews (17)
- Maine(ly) Trek #2, see that page
- Murasaki!, see that page
- Star Canticle #3, see that page
- Spin Dizzie #4, see that page
- Stargazing, poem by Dorothy Eckert (20)
- Unshot, "Nightstalker," a Kolchak the Night Stalker script by Roger Hill (210
- The Cargo Hold, ads (27)
Issue 33/34
The Clipper Trade Ship 33/34 was published in October 1981 and contains 73 pages.
- Star Trek, Doctor Who, and Science Fiction (fantasy)
inside art, perhaps back cover of #33/34, Signe Landon
Issue 35/36
The Clipper Trade Ship 35/36 was published in 1982 and contains 60 pages.
- Star Trek: TNG, Star Wars, Science Fiction (fantasy) and elves.
Issue 37/38
The Clipper Trade Ship 37/38 contains 64 pages.
- Star Trek, Star Trek/Blues Brothers and Science Fiction (fantasy)
Issue 39/40
The Clipper Trade Ship 39/40 was published in 1983 and contains 76 pages.
- Book of Camrack, conclusion, original fantasy by James Ellison
- other fiction by Moff, Pollet, Knova
- an original M'Ress story by Toni Cardinal-Price
- poetry, filksongs
- artists: Summers, Price, Collins, Landon (the Authurian fantasy cover)
Issue 41/42
The Clipper Trade Ship 41/42 was published in April 1983 and contains 60 pages.
- Star Trek, Doctor Who, Star Trek/Doctor Who, Science Fiction, Star Wars/Hill Street Blues
Issue 43
The Clipper Trade Ship 43 was published in October 1983 and contains 36 pages.
- a Doctor Who/Voyagers story by Theresa Sarick
- Star Wars by Roberta Rogow
- filksongs, art, more
Issue 44/45
The Clipper Trade Ship 44/45 was published in July 1984 and contains 72 pages.
- Star Trek/Spiderman, Star Trek, Kolchak the Night Stalker, Star Wars
From an ad in Universal Translator: "Features ST fiction by Richard Heim, Jr. as well as Gennie Summers -- Spider-man on the Big E; fantasy by Andrew Nelson; filksongs; art; more."
Issue 46
The Clipper Trade Ship 46 was published in 1985 and is 41 pages long.
- When Friends Are Enemies by D.W. Crawford (DR WHO) (2 pages)
- A Protest To The Empire (STAR TREK TOS) (15 pages)
- the sixth Elfi Tale
- zine reviews, poetry, and art
- After the Mind Sifter by Jemison
Issue 47
The Clipper Trade Ship 47 contains 40 pages.
- The Lotus Eaters by Chong (Quark)
- Han Solo: Imperial Agent by Harrison (Star Wars)
- Eye See You by Crawford (Prisoner)
- letters, art, Cargo Hold
Issue 48
The Clipper Trade Ship 48 was published in 1985 and contains 36 pages.
- Star Trek/Kung Fu fiction by Carter
- Star Trek fiction by Chong
- Doctor Who fiction by Crawford
- sf fiction by Hardison
- something about The Prisoner
Issue 49
The Clipper Trade Ship 49 was published in October 1985 and contains 36 pages.
- Doctor Who fiction by Crawford
- sf fiction by Hardison
- Star Trek material by Summers
- some Time Lord biology
- poetry and art
- a long what if story by Carol MelAmbassador set in the Star Wars universe
- something about The Prisoner
Issue 50
The Clipper Trade Ship 50 was published in January 1986 contains 60 pages. It was the "gala golden double issue."
- Star Trek, Prisoner, Wizard & Warrriors, Doctor Who, elves
Issue 51
The Clipper Trade Ship 51 was published in April 1986 and contains 36 pages.
- original sf by Arnold
- a long Star Wars/Star Trek story by Fine
- poetry, filks, art and LoCs
Issue 52
The Clipper Trade Ship 52 was published in July 1986 and contains 36 pages. Front cover by Carrie Daugherty, back cover by Shona Jackson. Interior art by Leah Rosenthal, Richard Arnold, Susan Landerman, Cheryl Duval, Gennie Summers, G. Hof, Shona Jackson, Melody Rondeau, and Gloria-Ann Rovelstad
- Star Trek, Doctor Who, Science Fiction, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea
- In The Captain's Cabin (editorial)
- Letters
- Filksongs - Marilyn Maffia, D.W. Chang, Susan Landerman
- The Last Regeneration by Amy Falkowitz
- Key To Guilt by Linda Adams
- A Day in the Life by Diane Farnsworth
- A-Yuk Time by Lorie Johnson
- The Olfactor (part one) by Jim Stetson
- Verse - Amy L. Whiteneck, Wendy Atkinson
Issue 53
The Clipper Trade Ship 53 was published in October 1986 and contains 36 pages
- Star Wars, Prisoner, Star Trek/Doctor Who, Star Trek, Science Fiction
Issue 54
The Clipper Trade Ship 54 was published in 1987 and is 37 pages long. Cover by Tim Truman. Back cover by Gennie Summers. Doctor Who, Wizard, Star Trek, Science Fiction, Man From Atlantis/Dallas, elves
- In the Captain's Cabin (editorial) / Jim & Melody Rondeau, p 1
- Just Another Day at the Office / David Marks, p 4-5
- The K-9 Connection / Rachel Kadushin, p. 6 (non-Trek)
- Other Zines, Other Views - Zine reviews, p. 7-8
- Phoenix / April Schowyers, p10-11
- Ultimate Mary Sue / Pat Hamilton, p12
- The Photograph / Lorie Deapre, p13
- Convention / Carol Mel Ambassador, p14-15
- One Thing in Common / Dian L. Hardison, p16
- 1812 / Su M. Fine, p17-28
- The 8th ELFL Tale / Jim and Melody Rondeau, 29-34
- Cargo Hold (zine ads).
Issue 55
The Clipper Trade Ship 55 was published in April 1987 and contains 36 pages.
- CarolMel Ambassador, "For a Rainy Day" (Blake's 7)
- Ron Murillo, "Quarry" (Blake's 7)
- Michelle L. Carter's Infirmity - Star Trek ("A story taking place during ST:IV that follows the cut lines regarding why Saavik stayed on Vulcan")
- Dr. Who/Conan crossover story by Gennie Summers called "Castle of Sorcery"
- other fandoms: Star Trek: TOS, Doctor Who, Star Wars, Prisoner
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 55
In 1987 The Clipper Trade Ship # 55 featured a Dr. Who/Conan crossover story by Gennie Summers called "Castle of Sorcery". As far as I know, it is the only documented meeting between these two celebrated science fiction/fantasy characters. Had I known of this back in the late eighties, my reaction would have been ecstatic to say the least. I spent the better part of that decade obsessed with both Conan and Doctor Who, even though the two fictional concepts had little to do with each other.The tale had the 4th Doctor and Leela visiting the Hyborian Age by accident. Upon arriving, they found an unconscious Conan lying face down in the sands of some desert. In order to save him from the perilous heat, they dragged him inside the TARDIS. What followed was a fascinating collision of two worlds. [62]
Issue 56
The Clipper Trade Ship 56 was published in July 1987 and contains 36 pages
- Doctor Who, Star Trek, The Prisoner
Issue 57
The Clipper Trade Ship 57 was published in 1987 and contains 36 pages
- Star Trek, Doctor Who, Wizard of Oz, Prisoner
Issue 58
The Clipper Trade Ship 58 was published in January 1988 and contains 60 pages.
- Star Trek, Prisoner, Buck Rogers, Star Trek: TNG, Doctor Who/St. Elsewhere, elves
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 58
This has a great comedy about Captain Picard getting a toupee for this birthday. It's a shame this story wasn't filmed. It's that funny. [63]
Issue 59
The Clipper Trade Ship 59 contains 36 pages
- Star Trek, Star Trek: TNG, Prisoner, Doctor Who
Issue 60
The Clipper Trade Ship 60 contains 36 pages
- Star Trek: TNG, Battlestar Galactica, V, Prisoner, ST, Doctor Who, Wizards & Warriors
Issue 61
The Clipper Trade Ship 61 was published in October 1988 and contains 36 pages. Guest editor: Shirley S. Maiewski.
- Diane Rabuano, "Avon" (Blake's 7)
- Wendy D. Atkinson, "Another Chance" (Blake's 7) poem
- Trillian, "Orbit" (Blake's 7) poem
- Wendy D. Atkinson, "The Joke on the Federation" (Blake's 7) filk
- Blake's 7 art by Cynthia Case
- other fandoms: Voyager, Star Trek: TNG, Doctor Who, Star Wars, Beauty and the Beast, Max Headroom, Quark
Issue 62
The Clipper Trade Ship 62 was published in January 1986 contains 36 pages.
- Doctor Who, fantasy, Star Trek: TNG, elves
Issue 63
The Clipper Trade Ship 63 was published in 1989 and is 37 pages long.
- The Life Of A Warrior by Linda Slusher (STAR TREK TOS—Klingon story) (24 pages) (reprinted in Kalin Kollected)
- The End Of The Battle (KLINGON filksong) (1/2 page)
- Book and Cover (STAR TREK THE NEXT GENERATION) (1 page)
- The Last Unofficial Act (STAR TREK TOS) (2 pages)
Issue 64
The Clipper Trade Ship 64 was published in July 1989 and contains 36 pages. Star Trek cover by Melody Rondeau.
- Real Ghostbusters art by Melody Rondeau
- Egon's Paradox by Sundae Sheilds (Star Trek/Real Ghostbusters)
- Star Trek: TNG, Buck Rogers, Doctor Who
Issue 65
The Clipper Trade Ship 65 was published in October 1989 and contains 36 pages.
- Star Trek: TNG,, Beauty & The Beast
Issue 66
The Clipper Trade Ship 66 was published in January 1990 and contains 36 pages.
- Star Trek: TNG
- elves
Issue 67
The Clipper Trade Ship 67 was published in April 1990 and contains 36 pages. Guest editor: Shirley S. Maiewski
- Blake's 7 poetry
- Wendy D. Atkinson, "Another Chance" (S4, Blake; A-B)
- Trillian, "Orbit" (S4, Orbit; A-V)
- Wendy D. Atkinson, "The Joke on the Federation" (f, John Jacob Jingleheimer Smith)
- Other fandoms: Voyager, Star Trek: TNG, Doctor Who, Star Wars, Beauty and the Beast
Issue 68
The Clipper Trade Ship 68 was published in July 1990 and contains 36 pages.
- Wendy D. Atkinson, "Liberator" (Blake's 7) filk (4 pages)
- Filksongs (4 pages)
- Funhouse (Star Trek: TNG) (2 pages)
- Lonely Is The Shadow (Star Trek: TNG) (22 pages)
- Real Ghostbusters art by Joy Riddle
- other fandoms: Prisoner, V, Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, Real Ghostbusters
Issue 69
The Clipper Trade Ship 69 was published in October 1990 and contains 36 pages.
- Filksongs (2 pages)
- The Logic Of Love by Ann Miller (STAR TREK TOS, a Spock romance) (32 pages)
- Amy Whiteneck, "Serving Under Servalan" (Blake's 7)
- Doctor Who
Issue 70
The Clipper Trade Ship 70 contains 36 pages.
- Star Trek: TNG
- Star Trek: TOS
Issue 71
The Clipper Trade Ship 71 was published in April 1991 and is 36 pages long.
- Wendy D. Atkinson, "Look Out for Avon" (Blake's 7) filk
- Reflections On A Matter Of Honor (STAR TREK THE NEXT GENERATION) 3 pages)
- Search For The Stars (STAR TREK TOS) (9 pages)
- Elegy (ALIEN NATION) (3 pages)
- Filksongs (3 pages)
- What A Card (STAR TREK THE NEXT GENERATION) (6 pages)
- Avalon (ROBIN OF SHERWOOD) (3 pages)
- other fandoms: Starlost, Battlestar Galactica, Star Wars
Issue 72
The Clipper Trade Ship 72 was published in July 1991 and is 36 pages long. Front cover by Zaquia Tarhuntassa, back cover by Gayle Schultz.
- In the Captains Cabin - editorial
- Letters of comment
- Wendy D. Atkinson, "Avon's Answer" (Blake's 7) filk
- We Loved Revisited by Michelle L. Carter (BEAUTY & THE BEAST) (2 pages)
- Still Lost by William Albert (DR WHO) (2 pages)
- Filksongs by Susan Landerman, Wendy D. Atkinson, and DW Cong (1 page)
- Command Decision by Lori Johnson (STAR TREK THE NEXT GENERATION) (18 pages)
- The Tour by Karen Emerson (STAR TREK THE NEXT GENERATION) (5 pages)
- The Cargo Hold (ads)
Interior art:
- J. Alan Tyler
- Karen Kling
- Diana Ablard
- Clayton George
- Jack Kusler
- Pegasus Hogan
- Richard Parks
- Gennie Summers
- Lyne Masamitsu
- Nola Frame-Gray
- Lorie A. Johnson
Issue 73
The Clipper Trade Ship 73 was published in December 1991 and is 36 pages long.
- CarolMel Ambassador, "A Little Christmas Cheer" (Blake's 7)
- Star Trek: TOS
Issue 74
The Clipper Trade Ship 74 was published in January 1992 and is 36 pages long.
- Wendy D. Atkinson, "Suffered for Your Sanity" (Blake's 7) filk
- Wendy D. Atkinson, "Don't Put Me On" (Blake's 7) filk
- Romana A. Solo, "Vila's Lament" (Blake's 7) filk
- Future Tense (STAR TREK THE NEXT GENERATION) (7 pages)
- Replication (STAR TREK THE NEXT GENERATION) (2 pages)
- Pioneer (Science Fiction) (9 pages)
- Filksongs (2 pages)
- Eye Of The Sulator (STAR TREK THE NEXT GENERATION) (11 pages)
- other fandoms: Star Wars, Doctor Who, V
Issue 75
The Clipper Trade Ship 75 was published in January 1994 and is 37 pages long.
- Go West, Young Man (QUANTUM LEAP/HIGH CHAPARRAL) (12 pages)
- Filksongs (filk) (2 pages)
- Final Farewells (STAR TREK THE NEXT GENERATION) (14 pages)
Issue 76
The Clipper Trade Ship 76 was published in October 1994 and is 36 pages long. It has a a Kor (Klingon) cover by Sue Frank.
- Mansion In The Sky (Doctor Who) (2 pages)
- Rank Hath Its… (Star Trek: TNG) (8 pages)
- Bird Of Prey (Buck Rogers) (10 pages)
- Little Sister by Christina Mavroudis (Blake's 7) (3 pages)
- Filksongs (3 pages)
- Operation Stellar Storm (Star Trek: TOS) (6 pages)
Issue 77
The Clipper Trade Ship 77 was published in January 1995 and is 36 pages long.
- Just Another Day at the Rebellion by Wendy D. Atkinson (Blake's 7, multiple crossover incl. Bill & Ted)
- Tear, Rant, and Rave by Christina Mavroudis (Blake's 7) (1 page)
- Happy Birthday, Dr. McCoy (Star Trek: TOS) (4 pages)
- Just Another Day At The Rebellion (Blake's 7) (2 pages)
- The Fiendish Plot (Doctor Who) (1 page)
- Souswap (Red Dwarf) (7 pages)
- The 12th Elfl Tale (6 pages)
- Down In Forward (Star Trek: TNG) (1 page)
- Numbers (The Prisoner) (1 page)
- Never and Always, Touching and Touched (Star Trek: TOS) (7 pages)
- Filksongs (2 pages)
- perhaps something from Battlestar Galactica
Issue 78
The Clipper Trade Ship 78/79 was published in December 1997 and is 69 pages long. Art by Anja Gruber.
- Ron Murillo, "The Mines of Zor" (Blake's 7) (17 pages)
- The 13th Elfl Tale (9 pages)
- Wendy D. Atkinson, "Lost Cause" (Blake's 7) poem
- Filksongs (10 pages)
- The Other Obsession (STAR TREK TOS) (7 pages)
- Second Thoughts (STAR TREK THE NEXT GENERATION) (7 pages)
- Someday My Transmute Will Come (QUARK) (8 pages)
- A Christmas Carol: The Next Generation (STAR TREK THE NEXT GENERATION) (5 pages)
- other fandoms: V, Batman, War of the Worlds, Doctor Who, Beauty and the Beast
- ↑ Spectrum #39 01/1979
- ↑ The Fourth Season That Hight Have Been, , by Don Harden Accessed April 17, 2016
- ↑ Judith Proctor's Site, a mini review by Sarah Thompson, accessed 12.17.2010
- ↑ Scuttlebutt #4 12/1977
- ↑ Liz Vogel's LJ site, accessed 12.17.2010
- ↑ Main Computer, Vol 1, issue 5, March 1979
- ↑ The Trekzine Times v.2 n.2/3 09/1992
- ↑ In the second issue, the editor reported he received this comment from a fan
- ↑ LoC in The Clipper Trade Ship #3 07/1974
- ↑ from an LoC by Signe Landon in "The Clipper Trade Ship" #3
- ↑ LoC in "The Clipper Trade Ship" #3
- ↑ from an LoC in The Clipper Trade Ship #4
- ↑ Genesis II
- ↑ from an LoC in The Clipper Trade Ship #4
- ↑ from a LoC in "The Clipper Trade Ship" #4
- ↑ from a LoC by the editor, a reply to another letter in "The Clipper Trade Ship" #4
- ↑ from an LoC in "The Clipper Trade Ship" #4
- ↑ from an LoC in "The Clipper Trade Ship" #6
- ↑ from an LoC by Shirley Mawiewski in "The Clipper Trade Ship" #6
- ↑ from an LoC in "The Clipper Trade Ship" #6
- ↑ from The Halkan Council #10 (September 1975)
- ↑ from an LoC in "The Clipper Trade Ship" #8
- ↑ from an LoC in "The Clipper Trade Ship" #8
- ↑ A reference to the STW's stand on... not taking stands... political or otherwise.
- ↑ from an LoC in "The Clipper Trade Ship" #11
- ↑ from an LoC in "The Clipper Trade Ship" #11
- ↑ from an LoC in "The Clipper Trade Ship" #11
- ↑ from an LoC in "The Clipper Trade Ship" #16
- ↑ from an LoC in "The Clipper Trade Ship" #16, the editor responds at length: he doesn't like zine and book reviews, he doesn't have enough subscribers or material to go bi-monthly, he prints what he is sent...
- ↑ from Spectrum #33
- ↑ from an LoC in "The Clipper Trade Ship" #16
- ↑ from an LoC in "The Clipper Trade Ship" #16
- ↑ from an LoC in "The Clipper Trade Ship" #16
- ↑ a Creation Con?
- ↑ the reply by the editor of "The Clipper Trade Ship to an LoC in "The Clipper Trade Ship" #16
- ↑ from Gennie Summers, a LoC in "The Clipper Trade Ship" #17
- ↑ from a review in The Clipper Trade Ship #17, (the scale: Layout is from 1-5, Overall Effect is from 1-10)
- ↑ from an LoC in "The Clipper Trade Ship" #17
- ↑ from an LoC in "The Clipper Trade Ship" #17
- ↑ from an LoC in "The Clipper Trade Ship" #17
- ↑ from an LoC in "The Clipper Trade Ship" #17
- ↑ from an LoC in "The Clipper Trade Ship" #18
- ↑ from an LoC in "The Clipper Trade Ship" #18
- ↑ from an LoC in "The Clipper Trade Ship" #18
- ↑ from an LoC in "The Clipper Trade Ship" #20
- ↑ from an LoC in "The Clipper Trade Ship" #20
- ↑ from an LoC in "The Clipper Trade Ship" #20
- ↑ from an LoC in "The Clipper Trade Ship" #20
- ↑ from an LoC in "The Clipper Trade Ship" #20
- ↑ from an LoC in "The Clipper Trade Ship" #20
- ↑ from an LoC in "The Clipper Trade Ship" #20
- ↑ from an LoC in "The Clipper Trade Ship" #20
- ↑ from an LoC in "The Clipper Trade Ship" #22
- ↑ from an LoC in "The Clipper Trade Ship" #22
- ↑ from an LoC by Nancy Duncan in "The Clipper Trade Ship" #24
- ↑ from Scuttlebutt #12
- ↑ from an LoC in "The Clipper Trade Ship" #24
- ↑ from an LoC in "The Clipper Trade Ship" #24
- ↑ from an LoC in "The Clipper Trade Ship" #24
- ↑ from an LoC in "The Clipper Trade Ship" #24
- ↑ from TREKisM #17
- ↑ A Wold Newton Extravaganza from Jeffrey Diehl
- ↑ from Treklink #13