A Baltimore fan named Hal Haag went to Boston to attend his first Worldcon, Noreascon 3, in 1989. He had fun. He said, "I want one of these in Baltimore." In unison, the burnt-out crew of the wreck of the DISCON III chanted, "NO! NO! HAL, NO! NO!"
Hal didn’t listen. In February of 1990, he asked Lance Oszko to join thi new bid. Lance declined at this time, pointing out the obvious: 1. 1995 was too soon so 1998 was the next likely opportunity. This meant going up against the fannish powerhouse Boston bidding to hold Noreascon 4 in 1998. 2. Available local resources had been exhausted in DISCO III. All traces of a bid seemed to have been erased. 3. There was no consensus, let alone enthusiasm, in Baltimore for bidding. 4. Bidding is hard on your energy, money, and time with very little recognition at the end.
Hal persisted by putting a trial balloon ad in the 1990 Balticon progra book. He got a few responses including a $25 check from Irv Koch and a letter from Lance outlining a bid theme of "pirates" tied to Baltimore’s motto of being the Queen’s City. Since Hal was the 1991 Balticon chair, the burden of the first bid party fell heavily on Lance. The bid theme would be selected by popular vote. Ballot boxes were marked ConStellation 2, DISCON 2.9, The Pirates of Fenzance, and "none of the above." Th fen voted by placing money in their chosen ballot box. The bid year (1995, 1998, or 2001) was also to be selected by this method. The Pirates of Fenzance and 1998 won.
Through the latter half of 1990, Lance collected pirate decorations and supplies He had $25, Hal Haag, Mike Mannes, and Irv Koch for resources. They reserve a suite at Balticon in 1991, prepared flyers, and Alex Cauthen drew the smiley face pirate with eyepatch. While searching for Captain Morga posters, Lance was referred to the Captain Morgan Spiced Rum Sales Manager Steu Colevas. Steu graciously heard out this odd request for pirate decorations and said, "This sounds interesting. How would you guys like to do a tasting Would two or three cases of rum be enough?" Knowing the four fannish food groups, Lance said, "Sure." Besides rum, CM would provide mixers, cups, key chains, recipe books, t-shirts, Captain Morgan standup displays, and a bartender!
Windycon 1990 Chicago SMOFs vigorously tried to discourage Hal from bidding. Baen Book had three of the four Compton Crook Award nominees. They wished to honor the winner, but could not attend Balticon 1991. Therefore, they agreed to have the bid act in their stead.
Hal—being unsure of our bid’s popularity—decided not to incur any obligation to fandom by not taking pre-supports until after Chicon V, the 1991 Worldcon, so the bid could be stopped if necessary. We relied on ballot boxes and donation jars strategically placed at the party bar and information table for funding.
Balticon 1991 Captain Morgan and Baen Books came through. Compared with prior DISCON III bid parties costing $50, this was a veritable bacchanal. The Friday party featured various rum concoctions. Many fans came by to partake and wish us well (even though we did not stand a chance). It is usually a struggle to attract fans into a bid party. At our kickoff party, the complaint was that our party was too crowded. We reached a self-sustaining critical mass immediately. The suite overflowed with 30 fans in the hall. Erica Ginter sent couriers to the bar for the rum and fruit juice by asking for, "Another one of those Pink Thingies!" Thus, one of the great bid weapons was named.
Fans toasted us and flocked to sign our guest book and throw money at us. The Saturday Baen party had champagne and left-over Art Show wine, meats, cheese, and veggies. We honored author Michael Flynn for his new novel I the Country of the Blind. We were wildly successful and set a new standard in bid parties. We did not break even, we actually turned a profit after all expenses including the suite upgrade and some incidental expenses. Clearly, we had touched the child-like spirit of Fans.
Disclave 1991 A noteworthy convention. Our popularity was becomin apparent—we had drew the notice of SMOFs. The rumor mill had it that we were a hoax bid with no intention of hosting a Worldcon. However, some un-named SMOFs made us a proposition. If we were to drop out of the 1998 race against Boston, arrangements would be made for us to receive the 1995 NASFIC. Remember, this was more than a year before the 1992 site selection for 1995. We thought this machination to be hubris and rejected the offer after a short discussion. We gathered more volunteers and donations and continue to turn excess funds into parties. More parties than listed here.
Chicon V The 1991 Chicago Worldcon was willing to give us a ballroom for a party. Captain Morgan (Chicago) was willing to supply 10 cases of rum and a thomson machine (a soda fountain for mixed drinks).
Post-Chicon V We cursed our fortunes. It was time to fund raise aggressively. We received a $500 grant from the Baltimore Science Fiction Society. At Chicon V, one of our room mates was an artist from Poland. Our friend wondered why amber was so prized in America. He said "You can walk along a beach and pick it up." We said, "Oh, really?" Arrangements were made to get amber. Another friend introduced us to a Maryland jewelry wholesaler, Fantasy Beads, who gave us goods o consignment. CM supplied more Captain Morgan stuff. Pirates on the Chesapeake by Donald Shomette (Tidewater Press) was found to document the real history of the pirate ship Baltimore from 1700 to 1702—AMAZING but true.
Philcon 1991 We took first pre-support and collect contribution in exchange for premium gifts of amber, semi-precious necklaces, Soviet pins, raffle tickets, CM stuff, and any thing not nailed down. We are recovered from financial disaster.
Sci-Con 1991 Hal threw a well received party. The motorized helium-filled Pirate Blimp is a hit.
Armidillocon 1991 Joseph Fleischmann threw a pirate party.
November 1991 The convention center hears the phase "Baltimore Worl Science Fiction Convention" and freaks out. They did not want a repeat of ConStellation. Because of the convention center, the old fan boy network, the Noreascon 4 bid, and the difficulties of bidding, Hal decides to quit.
Rumors of the convention center problem spread and poisoned the atmosphere for a Baltimore bid. Pre-supports dried up. Against everyone’s better judgement (including Lance’s), parties and fund raising continue. The Baltimore in 1998 bid is without facilities and almost without a committee. Would amber and parties be enough to hold the skeleton of a bid together?