Your historian, not wishing to take credit which is not rightfully
his, wishes to say here that without the fine co-operation of many
persons and entities this history must have been of much less value and
importance than it now is.
First, of course, there were the Lensmen. It is unfortunate that
Nadreck of Palain VII could not be induced either to release his spool
of the Fall of Onlo or to enlarge upon his other undertakings.
Co-ordinator Kinnison, Worsel of Velantia, and Tregonsee of Rigel
IV, however, were splendidly co-operative, giving in personal
conversations much highly useful material which is not heretofore of
public record. The gracious and queenly Red Lensman also was of great
assistance.
Dr. James R. Enright was both prolific and masterly in deducing that
certain otherwise necessarily obscure events and sequences must have in
fact occurred, and it is gratefully admitted here that the author has
drawn heavily upon "Dr. Jim's" profound knowledge of the mind.
The Galactic Roamers, those intrepid spacemen, assisted no little: E.
Everett Evans, their chief communications officer, Paul Leavy, Jr.,
Alfred Ashley, F. Edwin Counts; to name only a few who aided in the
selection, arrangement, and presentation of material.
Verna Trestrail, the exquisite connoisseuse, was of help, not only
by virtue of her knowledge of the jewels of Lonabar, but also in her
interpretations of many things concerning Illona Potter of which Illona
Henderson--characteristically--will not speak.
To all these, and to many others whose help was only slightly less, the
writer extends his sincere thanks.
Edward E. Smith.