JRR Tolkien's handwritten letter (1956)

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JRR Tolkien, the creator of the Lord Of The Rings trilogy, describes his vision of the Hobbit to an illustrator.

• Three and a half page handwritten letter, written and signed by JRR Tolkien to an illustrator, Miss Skyes.
• In English.
• 2 sheets.
• 13.4cm x 16.4cm.
• England, July 1956.
• Excellent condition.
• Unique piece.

Tolkien (1892 - 1973) opens, "You are more than justified in writing, and I ask your pardon for causing you anxiety. I have been negligent, I fear; but I am a terribly married man, working full time and completing The whole Lord of the Rings has been exhausting."

He continues, "I have not yet done anything about the matter, as the publishers have not been willing to consider any illustrated or more luxurious and expensive edition than that which has just been issued. I have avoided it, having been ill at the beginning of the year. and other difficulties, of going to London for a long period of time, and if you were obliged to send me your drawings (and I must return them) by post, I would be reluctant to send them to an office in that way , under my care. I have shown your drawings to other readers and the reactions have been positive; although most agree that the best way to make hobbits is to make them absolutely human-like (with the exception of a goatee or a goatee). hair boots) and not very childish, with round eyes, etc. I don't remember which observations I mentioned (I don't have a secretary, I don't have copies unless I type). I'm sorry I don't have any left (I need to save my own!); but I can, if you wish, send you some copies necessary for your work.”

The author signs heavily in ink pen and then adds a note with his initials, "only that - if and when I receive any money from the book after paying its costs: I have not received any yet - I like your drawings so much that I would like to ask your permission to buy some for myself, also in case of any illustrated editions that can be made."

In 1933, he began telling his children the story of a friendly creature called Bilbo. It was based on this character that Tolkien wrote "The Hobbit". Having been completed in 1936, this book was published a year later, meeting with enormous success. In 1948, he completed the sequel to "The Hobbit", "The Lord of the Rings". The first two parts "The Fellowship of the Ring" and "The Two Towers" were published in 1954 and, in 1955, the third and final part "The Return of the King" was published.

Tolkien, tired of working so much on the trilogy, writes this letter - exceptional - discussing suggestions for illustrations that the illustrator had sent to him to be included in the next edition of Lord of the Rings.

The letter sheds unprecedented light on the greatest fantasy writer of all time, his day-to-day life and how he imagined his famous characters... Tolkien documents are extremely rare and regularly break records at international auctions.