THE VERY FIRST HUGO EVER AWARDED.

Overall dimensions 15 x 6 1/4 x 6 1/4". Metal award on wooden base with engraved plaque (slight separation in wood at base, some scratches and gouges, one rocket flap missing). Engraved on plaque: "11th / World / Science-Fiction / Convention / Award / 1953." Later mounted onto elevated wooden platform. Provenance: Forrest J. Ackerman (1916-2008), American editor, magazine publisher, and science fiction author; acquired by the present owner directly from Ackerman.

The 11th World Science Fiction Convention (WorldCon) took place at the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia on 5-7 September 1953. Though the Hugo Awards were originally conceived as a one-off event, they proved so popular that organizers, having skipped handing them out during the 12th WorldCon, reinstated them in 1955 and thereafter made them a tradition. This award was issued to Forrest J. Ackerman for being the #1 Fan Personality. Accompanied by photograph of Ackerman receiving award.