JG Huckenpohler Comments ERB-APA #50: A Reply

J.G. Huckenpohler - There is nothing wrong with viewing Tarzan as a dimension hopper. That is what Edgar Rice Burroughs, the author, at ends time, wanted you to see. As mentioned before, though, this was not the case at the very beginning of the series. Some of us still like to imagine Tarzan as a real human living on the Earth as we know it. This is our game. Your vision is definitely in line with Edgar Rice Burroughs' storyline.

ERB-APA #50

Now, as far as the five punches in the nose for the 1872 chronology. That may be a knockout to you, but I don't see how. All five of these punches were things that had to do with deliberate time distortions. Not one had anything to do with altering Edgar Rice Burroughs' storyline.

Tarzan Alive

When you read Alan Hanson's, Phil Farmer's, and Joe Ferrier's 1888 chronologies they directly change Edgar Rice Burroughs, the author's, presented storyline. If you count their punches up to this point in time, they will have thirty or so, some major, instead of five minor ones. Take your pick. Your choice.

A Chrono-log Of ERB's Tarzan Series

I firmly disagree with you that Edgar Rice Burroughs, the author, had two meetings with John Carter's great-nephew. The two most likely met once in 1911 and a second time in 1912 during which the younger Carter got the story for The Return Of Tarzan. From the information presented in the article, Edgar Rice Burroughs: The Narrator, it is clear the younger Carter and Edgar Rice Burroughs, the author was much closer than that.

N.C. Wyeth

When Edgar Rice Burroughs, the author, left Chicago and moved to California, the younger Carter did so too. Both Edgar Rice Burroughs, the author, and the younger Carter moved into the Santa Monica Valley at the same exact time. Both began dabbling in real estate in the same area at the exact same time. When Edgar Rice Burroughs, the author, moved to Hawaii so did John Carter's great-nephew. Way too much to be a coincidence.

Edgar Rice Burroughs

Now, on the subject of Tarzan's birthplace. I personally believe it is possible that Tarzan could have been born in the Congo or Gabon if you are looking for a real place, as described in the books. There is no place in true life Angola as Burroughs' describes. In my 1872 chronology, I used Portuguese Angola as Tarzan's birthplace because this is where Edgar Rice Burroughs repeatedly told us many times, and I wanted to remain true to his storyline. I am forming a calendar time frame, not trying to expose Tarzan's identity or to find certain landmarks. 

Rafael Palacious

Another reason I have to side with William Cecil's calculations is that two other passages unassociated with him, back his deductions. Also, as you pointed out, Clayton wasn't a sailor, anyway. That was Lord Tennington. Common sense would tell you Clayton formed his location theory with obtained information from Lord Tennington, the Lady Alice's captain, the other sailors, and Professor Porter. Not just a whim of his own.

Tarzan's Africa

About The Author

James Michael Moody is a lifelong fan and collector of Edger Rice Burroughs. Moody has contributed over two hundred articles to various ERB-related fanzines, over a span of forty-five years. He also manages an unauthorized Tarzan blog titled, Greystoke Chronologist: James Michael Moody. There the researcher chronologies the Tarzan books starting in May 1872 (known as the pushback theory).instead of the more excepted date May 1888.

James Michael Moody is also the author of the action-packed Sci-Fi fantasy adventure Unium series. Pioneers On Unium, published December 31, 2019, and Exiled On Unium, published August 25, 2022. Swordsman On Unium is going through the publishing process.