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.
- 13.4 cm x 16.4 cm.
- England, July 1956.
- Excellent condition of conservation.
- 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 remiss, I fear; but I am a terribly married man, working full-time, and completing the whole of The Lord of the Rings has been exhausting."
He continues, "I have not yet done anything about the matter, as the publishers have been unwilling to consider any illustrated edition or any more luxurious and expensive edition than that just issued. I have been prevented, by illness at the beginning of the year and other difficulties, from going to London for a long time, and if you were obliged to send me your drawings (and I must return them) by post, I should 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; though most agree that the best way to make the hobbits is to make them absolutely human-like (with the exception of a goatee or a hair-boot), and not too childish, with round eyes, etc. I do not remember what remarks I mentioned (I have no secretary, and no copies, unless I type them). But I think you must have a copy of the book. I apologize for not having any to spare (I must save my own!); but I can, if you wish, send you some copies necessary for your work."
The author signs heavily in ink, 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 received none yet - I like your drawings so much that I should like to ask your permission to buy some for myself, also in case of any illustrated edition that may 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 finished in 1936, this book was published a year later, finding great 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 hard on the trilogy, writes this exceptional letter discussing suggestions for illustrations that the illustrator had sent 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's documents are extremely rare and regularly break records at international auctions.
