JRR Tolkien's handwritten letter (1956)
JRR Tolkien's handwritten letter (1956)
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Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Digital Warranty ©
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J.R.R. 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 J.R.R. Tolkien to an illustrator, Miss Skyes.
- In English.
- 2 leaves.
- 13.4 cm x 16.4 cm.
- England, July 1956.
- Excellent condition.
- Unique piece.
Tolkien (1892 - 1973) opens, "you are more than justified in writing, and I beg 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 it, as the publishers were unwilling to consider any illustrated edition or one more luxurious and expensive than the one just issued. I have avoided, having been ill earlier in the year and due to other difficulties, 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 manner, 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 like human beings (with the exception of a goatee or a hair boot) and not too childish, with round eyes, etc. I don't remember what observations I mentioned (I have no secretary, I have no copies, unless I type). But I think you need a copy of the book. 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 strongly with 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 haven't 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 any illustrated edition might be made."
In 1933, he began telling his children the story of a friendly creature named Bilbo. It was based on this character that Tolkien wrote "The Hobbit". Having been finished in 1936, this book was published a year later, finding enormous success. In 1948, he completed the sequence 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 from working so much on the trilogy, wrote this letter - exceptional - discussing illustration suggestions that the illustrator had sent him to be included in the next edition of The Lord of the Rings.
The letter sheds new light on the greatest fantasy writer of all time, his daily life, and how he imagined his famous characters... Tolkien documents are extremely rare and regularly break records at international auctions.

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