Auctions
28 May - By Trotter
Hobbit 1st Impression
Bonhams Lot 195
Auction Ends Thu, 19 Jun 2025 11:00 AM GMT
TOLKIEN (J.R.R.)
The Hobbit or There and Back Again, FIRST EDITION, FIRST IMPRESSION, frontispiece and 9 plates or full-page illustrations, map endpapers in red and black by the author (slight soiling), publisher's green cloth, lettered and decorated in dark blue, spine ends slightly bumped, slight soiling along bottom edges, FIRST ISSUE DUST-JACKET after a design by Tolkien, with 'Dodgeson' on rear flap corrected in ink, priced 7s. 6d on front flap, corners slightly creased and chipped, spine ends chipped, small piece at foot of spine (with part of publisher's name) detached but preserved, soiling to top edges of flaps [Hammond A3(a)], 8vo, George Allen & Unwin, 1937
Footnotes
AN UNRESTORED COPY OF THE BOOK THAT INTRODUCED THE WORLD TO MIDDLE-EARTH - THE PIONEERING MISSIONARY GEORGINA GOLLOCK'S COPY, IN THE FIRST ISSUE DUST-JACKET.
The first printing of The Hobbit was issued on 21st September 1937 with a print run of only 1500 copies, and was sold out within months; its immediate success meant that most copies were well read, no doubt contributing to the scarcity on the market of good condition copies in the original dust-jacket.
Provenance: Georgina Anne Gollock (1861-1940), Irish born missionary and writer on Africa, education and womanhood, initialled "G.A.G." on front free endpaper; given by her to the present owner's mother in the year of publication.
Georgina Gollock has begun to receive much more recognition since the publication of a biography by Ian Randall entitled Georgina Gollock: Pioneering Female Missiologist (Cambridge Centre for Christianity Worldwide, 2023). Randall describes her as "one of the most influential women in the formative period of twentieth-century World Christianity... she was the first and often only woman in the room", and the CCCW website goes on to say that in the book Gollock "finally becomes visible. Hidden in plain sight, her life of service to the expanding Protestant mission put her in the centre of the major historical developments of the era through to the 1930s. She held major leadership roles in organizations dominated by men... In a colonial context of British imperialism, colonialism, and trusteeism, Georgina Gollock offered a counter-narrative by emphasizing the leadership of men and women in what we now call the Global South" (CCCW website).
Gollock was by family repute a friend of Tolkien. It's not known if she was given the present copy (by Tolkien or someone else) or purchased it, but she certainly wrote her name in it soon after publication since it was in turn given to the current owner's mother at Christmas in 1937, in recognition of some help she received. Gollock would have been 75 years old in 1937, and she died three years later.
Estimate GBP 25,000-35,000
https://www.bonhams.com/auction/30730/ ... rge-allen-and-unwin-1937/
Tolkien Letters
International Autograph Auctions Europe S.L. Lot 1179
TOLKIEN J. R. R.: (1892-1973) English writer, author of the classic fantasy works The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. T.L.S., J. R. R. Tolkien, one page, 4to, Headington, Oxford, 24th November 1967, to Miss. Karen C. Walker. Tolkien commences his letter by asking 'Am I right in thinking that your mother was Cecile Barbier?' and continues 'I have recently met her sister Marie (who married her cousin and remains Barbier), and one of her daughters'. The author further writes 'I remember your grandfather, Paul Barbier, very well. He was extremely kind to me as a very young man on my first university job. He was a great scholar and a great character, and I remember a good deal about him' and informs his correspondent 'I have been ill for some time and am now very heavily engaged with work of my own, and putting memories of this kind in order actually takes up a good deal of time, and I haven't any to spare at present' although concludes 'But I will jot down things that I remember from time to time and perhaps you would like to jog my memory early next year to see what I have got for you' . Accompanied by the original envelope. Together with a T.L.S. by Tolkien's assistant, Phyllis M. Jenkinson, with her initials ('P.M.J.'), on behalf of the writer, one page, 8vo, Headington, Oxford, 29th February 1968, also to Miss. Karen Walker. Tolkien writes, in part, 'I am afraid I haven't had any time to jot any memories of your grandfather down, as I have had a very disturbing and troubling time.....I cannot see any relief from pressure for some time ahead and I am afraid it is no good my asking you to jog my memory again .but I will keep you in mind.....in case I find some moment'. Accompanied by the original envelope. VG to about EX, 2
Paul Barbier (1873-1947) Professor of French at Leeds University 1903-38 who has been described as 'an exceptional scholar and inspiring teacher as well as an efficient adminstrator'. Barbier was a keen linguist and took a particular interest in words and names which led him to focus on lexicographical studies.
Letter from Phyllis M. Jenkinson (secretary) to Miss Walker • 29 February 1968 (#734)
Letter from J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss [Karen C.] Walker • 24 November 1967 (#758)
Auction ends Thu, 19 Jun 2025 11:00 AM GMT
Estimate EUR 2,500-3,500
https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auc ... a4aa1f88b694025e2c677719a
"Musical Chapters from The Lord of the Rings" by Paul Corfield Godfrey PRE-ORDER
5 May - By onthetrail
All of us from Zarathustra: The Paul Corfield Godfrey Trust and Volante Opera Productions are very proud to announce that Paul Corfield Godfrey's Musical Chapters from The Lord of the Rings after the Mythology of J.R.R. Tolkien is ready to pre-order.
As Tolkien himself famously said, "Hardly a word in its 600,000 or more has been unconsidered. And the placing, size, style, and contribution to the whole of all the features, incidents, and chapters has been laboriously pondered... the labour has been colossal"Carpenter's Letter #131 (J.R.R. Tolkien to Milton Waldman, 1951 (late))[1] and we can say very much the same. Every word has to be considered when writing an opera, and Paul has considered all of them. We as a team have poured thousands of hours into making the best product we can and we are very proud of it.
We send our thanks to theonering.net who have looked after the official announcement for us.
Pre-orders are available at the VOLANTE STORE.
The 15CD digibook will ship in early September and is officially released on 5th September. Those attending OxonMoot 2025 will be able to meet Paul there and purchase copies. The cycle will also be available for digital purchase on release day.
The press release reads:
MUSICAL CHAPTERS FROM THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE CYCLE COMPLETED
The agreement by the estate of the late J. R. R. Tolkien last year to sanction the recording of Paul Corfield Godfrey’s “musical chapters from The Lord of the Rings” was hailed by listeners throughout the world as a milestone in the field of Tolkien adaptations.
For many years the Tolkien Estate has refused to allow any musical treatment of the works of the author which employed his own words. Now they have agreed to make a concession in respect of the music of Paul Corfield Godfrey, whose acclaimed cycle of “epic scenes from The Silmarillion” was finally completed in 2023 with the issue of a ten-CD series of recordings from Volante Opera and Prima Facie Records.
Ever since the 1960s the composer had been working on sketches, fragments and episodes of what was originally envisaged as a cycle of musical works based upon The Lord of the Rings. Following on from the success of the recordings of The Silmarillion he was persuaded to go back to these beginnings and fully explore, expand and complete the work which has now evolved as “musical chapters from The Lord of the Rings”. This fully operatic setting has now become a companion work on the same scale as The Silmarillion. The adaptation extends to thirty “chapters” designed for performance over six evenings – more than fifteen hours of music.
This recording of the complete work by Volante Opera has now finally been completed and Prima Facie will release a demo set of the complete cycle, in the same manner as their Silmarillion recordings, in a single volume on 5 September 2025. The professional singers, some thirty-five in number, come mainly from Welsh National Opera. Returning artists from The Silmarillion include: Simon Crosby Buttle as Frodo, Julian Boyce as Sam, Philip Lloyd-Evans as Gandalf, Stephen Wells as Aragorn, Michael Clifton-Thompson as Gollum, Helen Jarmany as Éowyn, Huw Llywelyn as Bilbo and Éomer, Emma Mary Llewellyn as Arwen and Goldberry, Laurence Cole as Boromir and Denethor, Martin Lloyd as Treebeard and the Herb Master, Helen Greenaway as Lobelia and Ioreth, Rosie Hay as Gwaihir, Sophie Yelland as the Barrow-Wight and Louise Ratcliffe as Lindir, with George Newton-Fitzgerald and Jasey Hall taking on a plethora of parts. Angharad Morgan is also reprising her role as Galadriel from The War of Wrath. Other new cast members include Rhodri Prys Jones as Legolas, Gareth Long as Gimli, David Fortey as Pippin, Dyfed Wyn Evans as Merry, James Schouten as Faramir and Elrond, Gavin Davies as Thëoden, Gareth Lloyd as Saruman, Peter Wilman, Owen Webb, Alastair Moore, Francesca Saracino and Steffan Lloyd-Evans in various other solo roles and Howard Kirk as Tom Bombadil and Quickbeam.
Although the text is inevitably abridged, it adheres without any but the most minor alterations to the author’s original words, and the original plot development remains unchanged – including such elements as Tom Bombadil and the Barrow-wight, the love story of Éowyn and Faramir and the ‘scouring of the Shire’. And some other passages, such as the coronation and wedding of Aragorn, are given expanded musical treatment. The issue includes not only the complete musical score, but also a substantial booklet containing full details of the recording (including the text as set) and a supplementary appendix disc giving more extended versions of some of the more substantial narrative poems. As with the earlier issues of The Silmarillion the cover art has been furnished by Ted Nasmith.
For more information about the recordings by Volante Opera Productions please visit:
www.volanteopera.wales
The Music of Paul Corfield Godfrey
www.paulcorfieldgodfrey.co.uk
The Bovadium Fragments: Together with ‘The Origin of Bovadium’
3 May - By Trotter
The Bovadium Fragments: Together with ‘The Origin of Bovadium’ by Richard Ovenden O.B.E. Hardcover – 9 Oct. 2025
by J. R. R. Tolkien (Author), Christopher Tolkien (Editor)
World first publication of a previously unknown short satirical fantasy by J.R.R. Tolkien, edited by his son, Christopher Tolkien, and accompanied by illustrations from the author together with an essay, The Origin of Bovadium, by Richard Ovenden OBE.
UK
Publisher : HarperCollins (9 Oct. 2025)
Language : English
Hardcover : 144 pages
ISBN-13 : 978-0008737764
Dimensions : 14.9 x 1.2 x 22.8 cm
eBook
US
Publisher : William Morrow (18 Nov. 2025)
Language : English
Hardcover : 144 pages
ISBN-13 : 978-0063479081
The story in referenced in J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography by Humphrey Carpenter
‘Mr Bliss’ was not the only composition by Tolkien owing its inspiration to motor transport. ‘The Bovadium Fragments’ (perhaps composed early in the nineteen-sixties) is a parable of the destruction of Oxford (Bovadium) by the motores manufactured by the Daemon of Vaccipratum (a reference to Lord Nuffield and his motor-works at Cowley) which block the streets, asphyxiate the inhabitants, and finally explode.
TolkienShop Video
1 May - By Trotter
onthetrail and myself sat down for a lovely chat with the fabulous René van Rossenberg, owner of https://www.tolkienshop.com/ and long-time fan and collector.
Book Release Day for Miriam Ellis - The Art of Mercy in Middle-earth
30 April - By Urulókë
J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium provides twenty-first century readers with a much-needed haven from the busy world around them. In his mercy, Tolkien generously balances scenes of high drama with unforgettable pauses for the refreshment of both characters and readers. His work remains true to the themes of “recovery, escape, and consolation” described in his seminal lecture and essay, “On Fairy-Stories.”
This book offers a visual portal to these three merciful themes, which form the central subject of Miriam Ellis’s body of Tolkien paintings. Ellis’s artwork strives for faithful accuracy to the texts which she has been reading since childhood. The quieter moments in Tolkien are sometimes neglected in portrayals, but in them resides the beauty of Middle-earth. Focusing on those moments, this book is a treasury with which readers can relax and enjoying both the paintings and the brief but evocative essays drawn from the artist’s contemplation of memorable scenes in the legendarium and the many details of the paintings. Like The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion, this book should be a source of recovery, escape, and consolation for the reader.
Miriam Ellis is a lifelong Tolkien reader, award-winning fine artist, and published illustrator whose art has appeared in magazines, major fandom YouTube channels, calendars, and the Tolkien Society’s publications.
Paperback:
Hardcover:
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