Swanson, Carl, 1902-1974

North Dakota, where I have lived for many years, is an under-represented state in the history of weird fiction. So one of my favorite footnotes is the elusive Carl Swanson (May 25, 1902 — November 16, 1974), who corresponded with Lovecraft, inspired The Fantasy Fan fanzine, and collaborated with Jerry Siegel, all while living in Washburn, ND. One of his best-known ventures is an attempt to start a magazine called Galaxy, although, judging by references in the letters of Robert E. Howard and H.P. Lovecraft, the idea swiftly rose and fell.

Lovecraft commented on Swanson in several of his letters to Robert Barlow, starting in January 1932: “I am told that a new weird magazine is about to be started by one Carl Swanson of Washburn, North Dakota. I’ve sent in ‘The Nameless City’ & ‘Beyond the Wall of Sleep,’ but am doubtful about their acceptance”. Later that month, he added that he had “just heard from Swanson—the new magazine man. He has accepted both ‘The Nameless City’ & ‘Beyond the Wall of Sleep’”.

Mike Ashley provides more substantial information about Swanson, in the context of early attempts to publish what we would now call fanzines. “The first plans in this direction had been explored by Carl Swanson, a bookdealer in Washburn, North Dakota. In December 1931 he circulated a number of writers with a proposal to issue a magazine of weird-science fiction to be called Galaxy. Swanson was after new fiction if he could acquire it, but otherwise sought the option of reprinting stories. Swanson was unable to raise the necessary finances, however, and by May 1932 had dropped the idea.

Multiple Carl Swansons lived in western North Dakota during his lifetime, but the online Fancyclopedia seems to have pinpointed the correct one, identifying him as Carl Swanson: May 25, 1902 — November 15 (sic), 1974. Later research shows his date of death as November 16, 1974. This entry includes the information about introducing Hornig to fanzines, and his publication of The Metal Giants, again stressing its “poor mimeography.” It also contains more biographical detail. “Carl W. Swanson of Washburn and Velva, ND, was one of the earliest fans, his interest in SF dating to 1910 … He hoped to publish SF, and he contacted a number of writers with a proposal to issue a magazine of weird-science fiction to be called Galaxy. He wanted new fiction if he could acquire it, but would also take the option of reprinting stories. He was unable to raise the necessary finances, however, and by May 1932 had dropped the idea.”

This source also conclusively identifies his business as the Swanson Book Co., “which advertised in fanzines. It was probably a very small mail-order operation. He was to some extent still active in the 40s.

Swanson was in business by 1933, when this ad was printed in Fantasy Fan: “SCIENTIFIC and weird fiction (books and magazines) bought, sold, exchanged. Send want list and stamp for prices.

"The Metal Giants," by Edmond Hamilton,

10 cents postpaid.

Swanson Book Company

Dept. FF, Washburn, N.D.”

A 1934 issue of Amazing Stories contains an ad for “Back Numbers of Amazing Stories for Sale. Many of the Monthly issues and Quarterlies as well as the Annual can be supplied by the Swanson Book Company, Washburn, North Dakota.”

As late as 1952, Swanson was listed in the American Book Trade Directory. In addition to “used” and “per.” (periodicals), the company is also said to deal in autos, tractors, and other farm equipment; logical, given his rural environment, but not something usually associated with weird fiction and the Weird Tales circle.

The full entry reads:

“Swanson Book Co. Box 141

Carl W. Swanson, owner

Mail Order

1st eds, gen, early autos, tractors, steam traction engines, threshers, per, rpt, used” (384)

With dates of birth and death, and a middle initial, Swanson can be identified in Ancestry.com. The W. in his name stood for “Wilhelm.” His father was Frank Elof Swanson, born in Sweden; his mother, Josephine Mahalia Swanson, was born in Kentucky. He would eventually marry Evelyn Viola Jenson. He served in the Army, with an enlistment date of September 1, 1942, and a release date of May 28, 1945.

According to the US Census, Swanson was still single and living at home in “Township 146, McLean, North Dakota, USA” in 1930, and his record contains the following information:

Attended School: No

Able to Read and Write: Yes

Able to Speak English: Yes

Occupation: Farm Labor

Industry: Farm

Class of Worker: Wage or salary worker

Household members:

Frank E Swanson 75

Josephine M Swanson 65

John Swanson 39

Carl Swanson 28

Emma Swanson 23

The following text is from Swanson’s obituary in the McHenry County Journal-Register, November 21, 1974: “Carl W. Swanson

VELVA – Carl W. Swanosn, 72, Velva, died Saturday, Nov. 16, 1974. Funeral was Tuesday at 11 at Oak Valley Lutheran Church, Vlva (sic). Vela Cemetery.

Born May 25, 1902, at Washburn and reared there. Worked on farms in Washburn area until World War II. Served in the war for three years. Married Evelyn Jenson Aug. 15, 1944, at Seattle. They returned to Velva and had since lived there. Mr. Swanson was an antique dealer and interested in antique cars.

Survivors: wife, a brother, Frank, San Diego, Calif., and four sisters, Mrs. Helen Ryan, Minneapolis, and Mrs. Esther Isaacson, Mrs. Hilda Janke, and Emma Swanson, all of Velva.”

Swanson was buried in the Velva Cemetery, in Velva, McHenry County, North Dakota.