Sci-Fi Sundays: Worlds Of If, January 1964
April '67 issue[/caption]This issue of Worlds of IF, Science Fiction, commonly just referred to as IF Magazine has a peculiar cover. The white space almost makes this look like a reprint of some kind, however, it isn't. This is how they chose to deliver this one issue. Most issues during the 60's have a simple white band across the top, with full width art. I haven't been able to find any explanation as to why this cover has peculiar use of the white space. Here is an image of a typical cover from the 60's for comparison.
IF Magazine has a tendency to list only the last name of their illustrators. This can cause quite a bit of confusion if you're researching. For example, the cover for this issue is simply labelled as McKenna. As it turns out, that is Richard McKenna. That same year another Richard McKenna, the author Richard (M) McKenna, illustrated one of his own stories: When the Stars Answer, in another publication. This is confusing!
Virgil Finlay is an easy one to sort out, but what about Nodel? Is that Norman Nodel the comic book artist? I don't see this publication listed anywhere in his works, and I did manage to find one of his signatures somewhere and it doesn't quite match up to the ones in the illustrations below. Then again, that N does look quite similar. I have no idea.
Publication: Worlds of IF Science Fiction
Issue: January 1964, Volume 13, Number 6
cover: McKenna
[caption id="attachment_508396" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
by Nodel for The Competitors[/caption][caption id="attachment_508398" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
by Finlay for Waterspider[/caption]Every time I look at this one, my mind immediately sees Atlas, holding the earth on his shoulders. It takes a moment for me to register that the scenario is nothing like that.
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by Nodel for The Competitors[/caption][caption id="attachment_508399" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
by Finlay for Waterspider[/caption]This looks like a scene right out of Men in Black. I love these illustrations where the artist gets to go wild thinking of creatures. I can just imagine how much fun that would be. 
Here's an advertisement that is a true sign of the times. Custom book plates to place on the inside cover of your prized possessions. This way when someone borrows it, they won't forget who owns it. I stumbled for a moment on BEM. For those of you who aren't aware, those are "Bug Eyed Monsters". Most advertisements don't typically acknowledge the illustrators, however, you can see the names listed here clearly. 
Inside this issue, I saw something that was pretty neat. Here is an advertisement for a free copy of The Unpublished Facts of Life. These are the teachings of the Rosicrucians, which are a world-wide order of mysics. They're still around and you can learn more about them in this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOCdFDXe5jQ[caption id="attachment_508402" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
by McKenna for Three Worlds To Conquer[/caption][caption id="attachment_508403" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
by McKenna for Three Worlds To Conquer[/caption][caption id="attachment_508404" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
by McKenna for Three Worlds To Conquer[/caption][caption id="attachment_508405" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
by McKenna for Three Worlds To Conquer[/caption][caption id="attachment_508406" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
by Morrow for Mack[/caption]
This was the tear-out from the middle of the issue. You would fill our your subscription and use this envelope to mail it in, to renew your account. I just thought that the little Santa in the UFO was delightful, and thought you might enjoy it.