Van Vogt... or just Vogt?

A. E. Van Vogt has been a topic of recent conversation in one of the groups I'm a member of and, in passing, someone mentioned an interview with author Karl Schroeder in which he discussed growing up in Manitoba. The interview includes the following:

Schroeder learned only a few years ago that that the great "golden age" SF writer A.E. van Vogt grew up in southern Manitoba in the same town as his mother. "His family were Mennonites, too, and my mother remembers the Vogts (he added the "van" later in life)," says Schroeder, "So I'm actually the second SF writer to come out of the area." 

With birth, death and census records for Canada now more widely available, I thought it worth checking and, indeed, it seems that the man we commonly call Alfred Elton van Vogt was actually born Alfred Vogt.

This was made clear in his naturalization papers, submitted in 1952, which give his name as "formerly" Alfred Vogt.

His family were Russian, census records recording his family as living in Saskatchewan at the time of the 1916 Canadian census. His father was Henry Vogt, a 30-year-old merchant, and his mother, 29-year-old Agnes; together with their three sons Arthur, Alfred and Edmund, they lived in the village of Neville, in the municipality of Whiska Creek. By 1921, the family had expanded to include Edna and Ira, and Henry was working as a barrister.

In earlier census returns, Henry gives his name as Heinrich, reflecting his ancestry. Heinrich Vogt was born in Manitoba on 9 May 1886, the son of Henry and Ida (or Eda) Vogt, who had emigrated from Russia. Ida was widowed by 1901 and had married again, to Abraham Schmiet, a year or so later. By 1906, they had a combined family of 14 children aged between 1 and 20.

Voter lists show Henry and Agnes Vogt in 1949; by 1962, the two are listed as van Vogt, living at 374 Arlington Street, Winnipeg. Agnes was widowed in the 1960s.

A E Van Vogt Cover Gallery part 2

COLLECTIONS

Out of the Unknown, with E. Mayne Hull.
New English Library 2793 (0450-00615-8), Oct 1970, 126pp, 5/-. Cover by Richard Cliften-Day?

Masters of Time.
(no UK paperback)

Away and Beyond.
Panther Books 1569, Sep 1963, 219pp, 3/6. Cover by Charles Binger
Panther Books 0586-02437-9, Apr 1968, 218pp, 5/-.
Panther Books 0586-02437-9, 1970, 218pp, 5/-.
Panther Books 0586-02437-9-2, 1973, 218pp, 35p. Cover by Chris Foss
----, 1973
abridged, Panther/Granada 0586-02437-9, Oct 1978.

Destination: Universe!.
Panther Books 1063, Jun 1960, 158pp, 2/6. Cover by Richard Powers (rpt Crest)
---- [2nd imp.] Oct 1963, 144pp, 2/6.
Panther Books 2484 [3rd imp.] 1968, 172pp, 5/-.
Panther Books 0586-02484-0-2 [4th imp], Apr 1972, 172pp, 30p.
----, 1973, 30p.
----, Nov 1978, 75p. Cover by Tony Roberts
---- 1980, 95p.
----, 1980, £1.50.

The Twisted Men.
(no UK paperback)

Monsters, ed. Forest J. Ackerman.
Corgi Books 0552-08570-7, Nov 1970, 190pp, 25p. Cover photo.
Corgi Books 0552-10605-4, Nov 1977, 190pp, 80p.

The Far-Out Worlds of A.E. Van Vogt.
New English Library 0450-01735-4, Feb 1974, 222pp, 40p. Cover by Ray Feibush
New English Library 0450-02747-3 [2nd imp.], May 1975, 222pp, 50p. Cover by Ray Feibush

The Proxy Intelligence, and other mind benders.
(no UK paperback)

M-33 in Andromeda.
(no UK paperback)

More Than Superhuman.
New English Library 0450-02571-3, Sep 1975, 220pp, 50p. Cover by David Hardy
----, Dec 1976, 220pp, 50p.
New English Library0450-04561-7, Apr 1980, 220pp, £1.00. Cover by Gerald Grace


The Book of Van Vogt.
as Lost: Fifty Suns, New English Library 0450-04949-3, Dec 1980, 189pp, £1.25. Cover by Gerry Grace

The Best of A.E. Van Vogt, edited by Angus Wells.
London, Sphere 0722-18774-2, May 1974, 437pp, 60p. Cover by Tony Roberts

The Best of A.E. Van Vogt 1940-1948.
Sphere 0722-18726- 2, Mar 1979, 219pp, £1.10. Cover by Peter Elson

The Best of A.E. Van Vogt 1949-1968.
Sphere 0722-18726-2, Mar 1979, 235pp, £1.10. Cover by Peter Elson

The Gryb.
New English Library 0450-04580-3, Apr 1980, 172pp, 90p. Cover by Paul Monteagle

The Best of A.E. Van Vogt.
(no UK paperback)

Pendulum.
New English Library 0450-05477-2, Jul 1982, 223pp, £1.25. Cover by Peter Elson

The Enchanted Village.
(no UK paperback)

Ghor, Kin-Slayer: The Saga of Gensenc’s Fifth-Born Son, with others, edited by Jonathan Bacon.
(no UK paperback)

Futures Past.
(no UK paperback)

Transfinite: The Essential A. E. Van Vogt, ed. Joe Rico & Rick Katze.
(no UK paperback)

Transgalactic, ed. Eric Flint & David Drake.
(no UK paperback)

OMNIBUS

Triad: Three Complete Science Fiction Novels
(no UK paperback)

L’Assaut de l’Invisible, translated by Alain Doremieux.
as Earth’s Last Fortress and The Three Eyes of Evil, Sphere 0722-18732-7, Nov 1977, 173pp, 85p. Cover by Chris Foss

A Van Vogt Omnibus
(no UK paperback)

Van Vogt Omnibus
(no UK paperback)

The Universe Maker; and, The Proxy Intelligence.
as The Universe Maker, Sphere 0772-18733-5, Aug 1977, 189pp, 75p. Cover by Peter Elson
Sphere 0722-18815-3, 1981, 189pp, £1.25.
----, 1984, £1.25.

Empire of the Atom and The Wizard of Linn.
New English Library 0450-05340-7, Oct 1981, 155+174pp, £1.25. Cover by Joe Petagno

The Weapon Shops of Isher and The Weapon Makers.
New English Library 0450-42270-4, Apr 1988, 265pp, £2.50.

A E Van Vogt Cover Gallery part 1

NOVELS

Slan.
Panther Books 1132, Nov 1960, 156pp, 2/6. Cover by A.S. (Art Sussman?)
----, Oct 1962, 156pp, 2/6.
Panther Books 0586-02438-7, Apr 1968, 156pp, 5/-.
----, 1970, 156pp, 5/-.
----, Jul 1971, 156pp. 25p.
Panther Books 0586-02438-7-2, Jan 1974, 156pp, 30p. Cover by Chris Foss
----, Sep 1975, 40p.
----, Sep 1978, 75p.
----, 1985, £1.95.

The Weapon Makers.
Digit R454, 1961, 156pp, 2/6. Cover by Ed Valigursky
New English Library 2536, Feb 1970, 141pp, 5/-. Cover by Bruce Pennington
---- [2nd imp.] Jun 1970, 5/-.
New English Library 0450-01527-0, Feb 1973, 141pp, 30p.
----, Apr 1974, 30p.
New English Library 0450-04515-3, Aug 1979, 141pp, 80p. Cover by Paul Monteagle

The Book of Ptath.
Panther Books 0596-02753-X, Apr 1969, 157pp, 5/-.
Panther Books 0596-02753-X, 1973, 157pp, 30p.
Panther Books 0596-02753-X-2, Jul 1975, 157pp, 40p.
Panther/Granada 0596-02753-X, 1979, 75p.
----, (date?), £1.50.
----, 1984, £1.95. Cover by Peter Elson

The World of Null-A. 
Sphere 0772-18765-3, Jul 1971, 221pp, 30p. Cover by Eddie Jones
Sphere 0772-18763-7, Jul 1972, 221pp, 30p.
Sphere 0772-18757-2, Nov 1974, 221pp, 45p. Cover by Eddie Jones
Sphere 0722-18746-7, Aug 1976, 221pp, 65p. Cover by Bruce Pennington
Sphere 0722-18769-6, 1980, 221pp, 95p. Cover by Bruce Pennington
Sphere 0722-18816-1, Sep 1981, 221pp, £1.35. Cover by Bruce Pennington
----, 1985, 221pp, £1.95. Cover by Bruce Pennington
----, Mar 1986, 221pp, £1.95. Cover by Bruce Pennington

The House That Stood Still.
Digit Books D361, Jun 1960, 159pp, 2/-. Cover by Ed Valigursky (Ace D-413)
Digit Books R623, Oct 1962, 160pp, 2/6. Cover by R. A. Osborne
as The Undercover Aliens, Panther 0586-04324-1, Jun 1976, 173pp, 50p. Cover by Peter Jones
----, 1980, 95p.

The Voyage of the Space Beagle.
Panther Books 990, Nov 1959, 192pp, 2/6. Cover by John Richards
----, Oct 1963, 189pp, 3/6.
Panther Books 2439, 1968, 191pp, 5/-. Cover photo
----, 1970, 191pp, 5/-.
Panther Books 0586-02439-5, Nov 1973, 191pp, 35p. Cover by Chris Foss
----, Sep 1975, 50p.
----, Feb 1977, 50p.
----, 1979, 75p.

The Weapon Shops of Isher.
Nova, 1954, 159pp, 2/-. Cover by Gerard Quinn.
New English Library 0450-00387-6, Oct 1969, 127pp, 5/-. Cover by Bruce Pennington
----, Jul 1970, 127pp, 5/-.
New English Library 0450-01463-0, Feb 1973, 127pp, 30p. Cover by Bruce Pennington
----, Apr 1974, 30p.
New English Library 0450-04516-1, Aug 1979 , 127pp, 75p. Cover by Paul Monteagle


The Mixed Men.
as Mission to the Stars, Digit Books D343, Mar 1960, 160pp, 2/6. Cover by Ed Valigursky (Ace D-283)
as Mission to the Stars, Digit Books R637, Nov 1962.
as Mission to the Stars, Sphere 0772-18775-0, 1976, 159pp, 60p. Cover by Chris Foss
---- [2nd imp.] Aug 1976, 60p.
as Mission to the Stars, Sphere 0722-18728-9 [3rd imp.] 1977, 159pp, 75p.

The Universe Maker.
(see The Universe Maker & The Proxy Intelligence in OMNIBUS)

Planets for Sale, by E. Mayne Hull.
as by A.E. Van Vogt (with E. Mayne Hull), Panther/Granada 0586-04760-3, Apr 1978, 191pp, 75p. Cover by Chris Foss
---- [2nd imp.], 1979, 85p. Cover by Chris Foss.

The Pawns of Null-A.
Digit Books D377, Aug 1960, 190pp, 2/6. Cover by Ed Emshwiller (rpts Ace D385)
Sphere 0722-18766-1, Feb 1972, 223pp, 30p. Cover by Eddie Jones
Sphere 0722-18771-8, Mar 1972 , 223pp, 30p. Cover by Eddie Jones
Sphere 0722-18772-6 [SF Classic 5], Nov 1974, 224pp, 45p. Cover by Bruce Pennington
Sphere 0722-18747-5, Aug 1976, 224pp, 65p. Cover by Bruce Pennington
Sphere 0722-18773-4, 1985, 224pp, £1.95. Cover by Bruce Pennington

Empire of the Atom.
New English Library 0450-02326-5, Mar 1975, 155pp, 40p. Cover by Ray Feibush
New English Library 0450-03698-7 [2nd imp.] Jul 1978, 155pp, 75p. Cover by Joe Petagno
----, Dec 1978, 155pp, 75p.

The Mind Cage.
Panther Books 1112, Sep 1960, 191pp, 2/6. Cover by (US reprint?)
Panther Books 1112, Oct 1963, 190pp, 3/6. Cover by (US reprint?)
Panther Books 0566-01112-9, 1968, 171pp, 5/-.
Panther Books 0566-01112-9-2, Aug 1975, 174pp, 50p. Cover by Peter Jones
----, 1978, 174pp, 75p.

The War Against the Rull.
Panther Books 1168, Feb 1961, 156pp, 2/6. Cover by Stanley Meltzoff
----, Oct 1962, 156pp, 2/6. Cover by Stanley Meltzoff
Panther Books 0586-02800-5, May 1969. 156pp, 5/-.
----, 1970, 156pp, 25p.
Panther Books 0586-02800-5, Sep 1973, 155pp, 30p. Cover by Colin Hay
Panther Books 0586-02800-5-2, Sep 1975, 155pp, 40p.
----, Jun 1978, 156pp, 70p.

Siege of the Unseen.
(as The Three Eyes of Evil, see Earth's Last Fortress in OMNIBUS)

The Wizard of Linn.
New English Library 0450-02339-7, Jul 1975, 174pp, 40p. Cover by Ray Feibush
New English Library 0450-03825-4 [2nd imp.], Sep 1978, 174pp, 90p. Cover by Joe Petagno
----, Feb 1979.

The Violent Man.
(no UK paperback; pictured is the Pocket Books edition from 1978)

The Beast.
as Moonbeast, Panther Books 0586-02937-0, Dec 1969, 187pp, 5/-.
---- , 1970, 5/-.
----, Dec 1973, 35p. Cover by Chris Foss
----, Jun 1975, 40p. Cover by Chris Foss
----, Nov 1978, 85p. Cover by Chris Foss
----, 1984, £1.95. Cover by Chris Foss

Rogue Ship.
Panther Books 0586-04283-0, Oct 1975, 205pp, 50p. Cover by Peter Jones
Panther/Granada 0586-04283-0, Aug 1978, 205pp, 75p. Cover by Peter Jones
Panther 0586-04283-0, 1980, 205pp, £1.50. Cover by Peter Jones

The Winged Man, with E. Mayne Hull.
Sphere 0772-18764-5, 1970, 158pp, 5/-.
Sphere 0772-18731-9 [2nd imp.], Nov 1977, 158pp, 85p. Cover by Peter Elson
----, 1979, 158pp, 85p.

The Silkie.
New English Library 0450-01209-3, Feb 1973, 156pp, 30p. Cover by Bruce Pennington
----, Jun 1973, 30p.
New English Library 0450-03549-2, 156pp, 70p. Cover by Bruce Pennington

Quest for the Future.
New English Library 0450-01285-9, Nov 1972, 188pp, 35p. Cover by Bruce Pennington
----, Apr 1973, 188pp, 35p.
----, Jun 1973, 188pp, 35p.
----, Dec 1973, 188pp, 35p.
----, Mar 1974, 188pp, 35p.
New English Library 0450-04599-4 [2nd imp.], Apr 1980, 188pp, 90p. Cover by Bruce Pennington

Children of Tomorrow.
New English Library 0450-01446-0, May 1973, 192pp, 35p. Cover by Bruce Pennington
---- [2nd imp.], Jul 1973, 192pp, 35p. Cover by Bruce Pennington
New English Library 0450-04598-6 [3rd imp.], Apr 1980, 192pp, 90p. Cover by Bruce Pennington

The Battle of Forever.
New English Library 0450-01652-8, Dec 1973, 173pp, 30p. Cover by Bruce Pennington
New English Library 02778, Nov 1974, 173pp, 35p. Cover by Bruce Pennington
----, Aug 1976, 173pp, 50p.
New English Library, Apr 1980, 173pp, 90p. Cover by Gerald Grace

The Darkness on Diamondia.
Sidgwick & Jackson 0283-98228-4, Dec 1975, 188pp, 60p. Cover by Tim White
New English Library 0283-98651-4, Jul 1980, 188pp, 90p. Cover by Tim White (front only)

Future Glitter.
as Tyranopolis, Sphere 0722-18734-3, Oct 1977, 170pp, 85p. Cover by Peter Elson
as Tyranopolis, Sphere 0722-18723-8, 170pp, 95p. Cover by Peter Elson
----, Dec 1987, £2.50.

The Secret Galactics.
Sphere 0722-18735-1, Jun 1977, 189pp, 75p. Cover by Angus McKie
----, 1979, 85p.

The Man with a Thousand Names.
Sidgwick & Jackson 0283-98229-2, Dec 1975, 141pp, 50p. Cover by Tim White
New English Library 0283-98652-2 [2nd imp.], Jul 1980, 141pp, 85p. Cover by Tim White (front only)

Supermind.
New English Library, Feb 1979, 173pp, 80p. Cover by Tim White

The Anarchistic Colossus.
Pan Books 0330-25730-7, Apr 1979, 176pp, 85p. 

Renaissance.
New English Library 0450-04969-8, Oct 1980, 159pp, £1.00. Cover by Gerry Grace

Cosmic Encounter.
New English Library 0450-05354-7, Dec 1981, 212pp, £1.50. Cover by Gerald Grace

Computerworld.
New English Library 0450-05904-9, Feb 1986, 203pp, £2.25.

Null-A Three.
Sphere 0722-18841-2, Feb 1985, 215pp, £1.95. Cover by Bruce Pennington

Slan Hunter
(no UK paperback)