Behold the Gavel of WSFS!

[kevin_standlee]

Back in 1994, recognizing that there was no ongoing symbol of continuity of authority between Worldcon committees, I went to Feather River Office Machines, a small office-supply store in Yuba City, California, and spent a small amount of ConAdian (1994 Worldcon) money to buy a gavel. (I was lucky; I don't recall ever seeing a gavel ever again in an office-supply store.) This gavel passed from Worldcon to Worldcon for years, although for a long time it actually lived with me between Worldcons themselves because we kept putting off getting it engraved. In 2002, we finally got around to getting it engraved, and it could then live with the individual Worldcon committees after its ceremonial hand-off at the Closing Ceremonies. Then, somehow, between the 2012 and 2013 Worldcons, it got lost. It may actually be buried in a box of Worldcon stuff somewhere, but it's not currently accounted for. LoneStarCon 3 agreed when I asked to fund the purchase of a new one, and a few days ago I finally got around to ordering it from The Gavel Store. No, we didn't get the New York Stock Exchange Gavel, the 24-inch Great Gavel, or The Mallet of Loving Correction.


It's a fairly standard 11-inch gavel with sounding board and engraving.


It does make a very satisfying clunk when struck upon the sounding board.

There's an "all hands" meeting of the Sasquan Committee in Spokane the last weekend of May, and I'll carry it up there and deliver it to Sally Worhle, the chair of the 2015 Worldcon. I'll have to get it back from her after the Sasquan opening ceremony for my use during the Business Meeting, then return it to her for her to deliver to next year's Chairs at the closing ceremony.

Comments

[kalimac.livejournal.com]

Gee, if I had custody of the Worldcon gavel between conventions, I'd keep it proudly displayed, not buried in a box. During the period before ConFrancisco when I had custody of the Hugo rockets, I kept one of those propped up on my fireplace mantle. (Of course it went back in the box when I left for the con.) I should have taken a photo, because one thing I have in common with Larry Correia is I'm unlikely ever to win one on my own. I do have a Mythopoeic Scholarship Award, though.

[adriennef.livejournal.com]

"I have a bad feeling" that this gavel will see a lot of use this year.

[adriennef.livejournal.com]

You may have to take their attention a lot at that meeting. I'd even consider getting a bouncer or two for the door.

[frostfox.livejournal.com]

You do know the original one will now turn up again?

FF

[yourbob.livejournal.com]

That's a rather pretty piece of equipment.

[(Anonymous)]

I would not have previously guessed that there might be a business called The Gavel Store.

I liked the following quote from an article found on its web site:

"About eight years ago he installed a 14-foot long gavel on the building. This helped cut down on the number of confused people who came looking for gravel."

--J. Kreitzer

[beamjockey.livejournal.com]

It does make a very satisfying clunk when struck upon the sounding board.

MP3!

[crookedfeet.livejournal.com]

I want to touch it!

Also, an Mp3 of that would make a brilliant ringtone for you.

[stephiny.livejournal.com]

But, you could have so much fun with The Mallet of Loving Correction!

Okay, it wouldn't help the situation at all, but I suspect that it would be very satisfying to wield.

[rinolj.livejournal.com]

The inscription 'Grabthar's Hammer' would be funny for a while.

Would sound dated eventually, but then there's an upcoming Galaxy Quest television series to extend its topicality.