Philadelphia Science Fiction Society
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The Philadelphia Science Fiction Society (PSFS) is a science fiction club in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The PSFS is the second oldest group in science fiction fandom.
PSFS was formed in October 1935 as a merger of the 11th chapter (chartered the previous January by Milton A. Rothman) of the Science Fiction League, and the Boy's Science Fiction Club, founded at about the same time. It adopted its present name in early 1936. According to John Baltadonis (one of its founders), the name was inspired by an illuminated sign saying "PSFS" on the Philadelphia Savings Fund Society's building. The idea was that the science fiction group could then claim that the building was its clubhouse.
PSFS meets monthly, usually on the evening of each month's second Friday. There is usually a guest speaker.
PSFS hosts an annual science fiction convention, Philcon, in or near Philadelphia, usually in November. In 2006, the 70th anniversary Philcon was held at the Sheraton Philadelphia Center City Hotel.
Since 1982, it has awarded the Philip K. Dick Memorial Award for "Best Original SF Paperback" every year at Norwescon.
PSFS is incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
[edit] References
- 2005 Philcon souvenir book, section on history of PSFS