1936

2 December 1936

Stanley Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien

#1839

Stanley Unwin sends to Tolkien the contract duplicate. This is noted by Hammond/Scull as the final step for accepting the Hobbit for publication and on ...

1937

2 March 1937

George Allen & Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien

#1853

GA&U return to Tolkien the typescripts of Farmer Giles of Ham and Roverandom.

16 November 1937

Stanley Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien

#2104

Stanley writes to Tolkien and includes his manuscript of Farmer Giles of Ham which GA&U had previously viewed. He tells Tolkien that if he has a similar...

17 November 1937

J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin

#1009

Tolkien writes to Stanley Unwin, including a letter he received from a Mlle Tardivel who had written asking about a possible French translation of The H...

1938

24 July 1938

J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth

#35

 Carpenter #31

Tolkien bemoans The Hobbit being published in 1937 over 1938. His work pressure has left him hard-pressed to get into actions on the sequel. Tolkien has...

31 August 1938

J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth

#37

 Carpenter #33

Tolkien writes to Mr. Furth, expressing his current state of being oppressed and unwell due to recent troubles. He submits Farmer Giles for consideratio...

1939

2 February 1939

J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth

#39

 Carpenter #35

Writing to C.A. Furth, Tolkien offers an update with his work on The Lord of the Rings. He has not worked on since December but feels it is a better wor...

8 February 1939

C.A. Furth to J.R.R. Tolkien

#2175

In reply to Tolkien's letter of 2 February, Furth tells Tolkien that the middle of June will be the latest date that GA&U can receive and have ready a w...

10 February 1939

J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth

#51

 Carpenter #36

Writing to C.A. Furth, Tolkien expresses gratitude for the enclosed cheque for royalities for 1938 and an advance of the royalties from Houghton Mifflin...

11 February 1939

C.A. Furth to J.R.R. Tolkien

#2176

Furth informs Tolkien that he has told the German publisher that he (Tolkien) wishes to see a proof of the translation of The Hobbit before going to pri...

19 December 1939

J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin

#52

 Carpenter #37

Tolkien, writing to Stanley Unwin, expresses gratitude for the kind note and apologizes for his neglectful correspondence due to personal and health iss...

28 December 1939

Stanley Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien

#2191

Stanley Unwin replies to Tolkien's letter of 19 December. He says that it would be a relief to receive Tolkien's work on the Clark Hall Beowulf, remarki...

1942

7 December 1942

J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin

#62

 Carpenter #47

Tolkien expresses gratitude for the note from Stanley Unwin and discusses the progress of the sequel to The Hobbit that he has been working on since 193...

1946

21 July 1946

J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin

#251

 Carpenter #105

Tolkien writes to Sir Stanley Unwin, who had just been knighted. He asked about Farmer Giles. And remarks on his progress to The Hobbit sequel among oth...

30 September 1946

J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin

#252

 Carpenter #106

Tolkien expresses delight at the prospect of publishing "Farmer Giles of Ham" but cites academic commitments as a hindrance to providing more material p...

1947

5 May 1947

J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin

#1412

 Carpenter #107a

Tolkien notes to Stanley Unwin that he has received the agreement for Farmer Giles of Ham, he would also send revised manuscripts for it in July and he ...

5 July 1947

J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.

#254

 Carpenter #108

Tolkien sends back the revised manuscript of Farmer Giles of Ham for publication. He has carefully gone through it, making alterations to improve both s...

30 September 1947

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rosemary

#129

Writing to a young fan, Rosemary, Tolkien says he is yet to finish his new book about Bilbo and his nephew. . He worries that it is so long that the pub...

1948

18 January 1948

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rosemary

#149

Tolkien writes a two page letter to Rosemary, telling her about him, being busy and unwell, hence the delay in reply. Wishes her the best for 1948 and m...

7 April 1948

J.R.R. Tolkien to Hugh Brogan

#266

 Carpenter #114

Tolkien expresses pleasure that Brogan enjoyed "The Hobbit" and mentions his ongoing work on a longer piece set in the same world, providing details abo...

5 August 1948

J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.

#268

 Carpenter #116

GA&U had decided that Milein Cosman would illustrate Farmer Giles of Ham, a point that Tolkien did not approve of. He likened her artwork to that of Top...

10 August 1948

George Allen & Unwin (Ronald Eames) to J.R.R. Tolkien

#1236

In reply to Tolkien's letter of 5 August (see #TCGLetter268) Ronald Eames says that George Allen & Unwin have decided to not use the illustrations of Mi...

10 August 1948

George Allen & Unwin (Ronald Eames) to Pauline Baynes

#1237

Ronald Eames writes various artists, among them is Pauline Baynes, a young artist who will go on to illustrate many Tolkien books and become a life-long...

1949

28 February 1949

J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.

#271

 Carpenter #119

Tolkien declares to GA&U that he does not have the time to retype Farmer Giles of Ham, nor does he feel that it is required. He remarks that the typing ...

11 March 1949

J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Turnbull

#133

Tolkien notes that he has a shory story to be published shortly, Farmer Giles of Ham and says that he has completed The Lord of the Rings.

16 March 1949

J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.

#272

 Carpenter #120

It has been decided that Pauline Baynes will now illustrate Farmer Giles of Ham. Tolkien is delighted with this news.

4 June 1949

J.R.R. Tolkien to Pauline Baynes

#134

Tolkien replies stating he is very pleased at the illustrations for Farmer Giles of Ham. He says that after seeing the images, his friends, "very justly...

13 July 1949

J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.

#273

 Carpenter #121

Tolkien discusses the progress of Farmer Giles and hints that the final draft of Lord of the Rings could be done something with.

30 October 1949

J.R.R. Tolkien to Cyril Hackett Wilkinson

#2213

Tolkien writes to Mr Wilkinson and sends an inscribed copy of Farmer Giles of Ham. The book is dedicated to Mr Wilkinson who urged Tolkien to publish it.

12 November 1949

J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss R.W. How

#135

Tolkien notes the progress with having two large books, one being The Lord of the Rings, published. It has been accepted and is almost finished. Hammond...

18 December 1949

J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs. Naomi Mitchison

#136

 Carpenter #122

A two page letter (single 5.5 x 7 inch sheet, both sides) in response to Mrs. Mitchison's praise of Farmer Giles of Ham. Tolkien mentions that FG was re...

20 December 1949

J.R.R. Tolkien to Pauline Baynes

#1162

 Carpenter #122a

Tolkien writes to Baynes making mention that Lewis had been in touch and wishes her a Happy Christmas. She (Baynes) is illustrating Lewis's Lion, Witch ...

1950

5 February 1950

J.R.R. Tolkien to Milton Waldman

#275

 Carpenter #123

Tolkien had "dumped" the manuscript of The Lord of the Rings on Milton Waldman just as he was going on holiday, and Tolkien felt bad burdoning him with ...

10 March 1950

J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin

#277

 Carpenter #125

Tolkien compares his two great stories the War of the Ring and the War of the Jewels and remarks on the Farmer Giles sales figures.

10 March 1950

J.R.R. Tolkien to Milton Waldman

#293

 Carpenter #126

Unwin wants to break up Tolkien's "monstrous Saga", and Tolkien hopes Unwin will let the project go so Tolkien can publish The Lord of the Rings and The...

1956

22 November 1956

J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Stanley-Smith

#280

Tolkien replies to Miss Stanley-Smith of the Deddington Library and confirms he can attend and give a speech at the opening of the new library. He follo...

1957

9 June 1957

J.R.R. Tolkien to William Ready

#322

Tolkien apologises for not replying earlier. He has been overworked, noting that he has not the aid of an assistant in his role. He would be delighted t...

1961

1961

George Allen & Unwin to Thomas Nelson & Sons Publishers

#1728

A series of letters found at the University of Reading GA&U archives. Consisting of 28 items. Among the subjects of these letters concerns the export of...

28 December 1961

J.R.R. Tolkien to Pauline Baynes

#490

Tolkien writes to Pauline Baynes about Farmer Giles of Ham translations.

1963

12 February 1963

J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Elliot-Howard

#501

Mr. Elliot-Howard had written to Tolkien telling him of his adventures travelling around the world with his copy of The Lord of the Rings.

1964

17 January 1964

J.R.R. Tolkien to Master Clements* (see note)

#541

Tolkien thanks 'Master' Clements for his appreciation of The Hobbit and suggests that "the other books I have written which you might enjoy, Farmer Gile...

31 July 1964

J.R.R. Tolkien to Elizabeth "Lisa" Gell-Mann

#2115

Tolkien is pleased that 'Lisa' likes his books and makes some suggestions for further reading. Namely Farmer Giles of Ham and The Adventures of Tom Bomb...

1967

22 November 1967

Terry Pratchett to J.R.R. Tolkien

#986

The famed writer Terry Pratchett writes to Tolkien offering his appreciation for his writing. He notes he has "just read Smith of Wootton Major" and goe...