Avon Fantasy Reader No. 1
Edited by Donald A. Wollheim
Avon Book Company
February, 1947
1st Printing
Larger than a paperback, smaller than a pulp, with squareback binding and laminated covers: this is a physical description of Avon Fantasy Reader. The purpose of the publication, however, is revealed in the introductory remarks by editor Donald A. Wollheim:
In establishing Avon Fantasy Reader we seek to set up a periodic anthology at a price available to all wherein may be found, volume after volume, the outstanding creations of fantastic imagination by the leading fantasy writers. No type of imaginative romancing will be neglected.
To this end, this first issue succeeds admirably, mixing science fiction (Leinster's "Power Planet") with fantasy (Merritt's "The Woman in the Wood"), with horror (the Derleth, Hodgson, and C. A. Smith offerings, the Smith story, "The Vaults of Yoh-Vombis", is particularly grisly and much better than his norm). Along the way there is also a bit of whimsy from H. G. Wells. All in all, a good mix.One oddity is that Robert E. Howard is mentioned on both the back cover and introduction, yet doesn't appear anywhere within the magazine. A last minute editorial decision, or did Wollheim want Howard's name recognition?
Just to put this issue into perspective in terms of history, the H. G. Wells piece is listed on the copyright page as being "reprinted by the permission of H. G. Wells."