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Writing to his friend, Arthur Greaves, Lewis mentions among other matters, that he has been reading "a delightful... children's story Tolkien has just w...
Tolkien is asked by GA&U if he wishes to working on a revision to John R. Clark Hall's Modern English transaltion of Beowulf and The Fight at Finnesburg...
C. A. Furth writes to Tolkien on the matter of the Clark-Hall edition of Beowulf. GA&U are keen for Tolkien to edit a new edition, or suggest a likely c...
Writing to, Christopher, Tolkien says he misses his son but that he is glad Christopher’s little holiday has begun with fine weather. He discusses the...
Tolkien sends the completed typescipt for the Hobbit and one illustration, likely one of his maps. Allen and Unwin will receive them two days later on 5...
Stanley Unwin writes to Tolkien to acknowledge receipt of the typescripts for the Hobbit. He also asks Tolkien to see his translation of Pearl, which th...
Sir Stanley Unwin's son Rayner was paid to write a review of a book that was being considered for publication, The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
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 ...
Further to her visit to see Tolkien, Susan Dagnall sends Tolkien a revised specimen page of The Hobbit and asks him to write a short blurb for GA&U to u...
Tolkien replies to Susan Dagnall's letter. He includes the blurb for publicity on the Hobbit. He does not like the star ornament at the beginning of the...
Susan Dagnall writes again to Tolkien on the matter of the Hobbit. His maps will require redrawing as there are too many colours. She suggests red and b...
Tolkien details work he has recently completed on maps for The Hobbit, as well as other suggestions. Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull note that ther...
Tolkien returns a slip to GA&U, likely the publicity piece for The Hobbit.
C. A. Furth of GA&U writes to Tolkien on matters of his illustrations for The Hobbit. His drawings are admirable and blocks for them are being produced....
Tolkien discusses the details of, and placement within the text, some of his illustrations in The Hobbit, as well as potential changes to his illustrati...
Tolkien replies to Susan Dagnall of GA&U on matters of the reproductions of some of his illustrations in The Hobbit. In the 2023 revised edition of Lett...
GA&U sends to Tolkien the remaining proofs of The Hobbit and ask that he restricts any corrections to those unavoidable. They further ask that he try to...
C. A. Furth of GA&U writes to Tolkien to inform him that the 'fine lines' in The Trolls illustration have broken when reproduced, but that there is no r...
Tolkien writes to C. A. Furth of GA&U acknowledging the two drawings which were “safely received”, he has placed them in the correct positions among...
Tolkien returns to GA&U the remaining proofs, end-papers, and suggestions for them of The Hobbit.
Replying to Tolkien's letter, Furth confirms that Tolkien will receive proofs of the corrected portions for The Hobbit. Tolkien is warned that the corre...
Writing to C. A. Furth of GA&U, Tolkien hopes that the proofs for The Hobbit will arrive with him during his vacation. He also notes that he will attemp...
In reply to Tolkien's letter, C.A. Furth writes to say that the printers have decided to revise the whole of The Hobbit. Tolkien should receive some of ...
Concerning Tolkien's corrections to the text of The Hobbit, the cost of those corrections, and who would incur that cost, as well as details of his subm...
C.A. Furth writes to Tolkien. He makes mention that the margins around the Hobbit illustrations will be adjusted before the final printing and apologize...
Tolkien writes back to Furth in regards to the dustjacket design for The Hobbit. Furth wrote on April 15th that the pink hue that Tolkien put on the mou...
Furth writes to Tolkien to say that the red will have to be removed from The Hobbit jacket and the sun will have an outline to highlight it. This letter...
This two-page handwritten letter contains some of Tolkien's thoughts on the potential publication of The Hobbit in the USA. Tolkien can make illustratio...
In reply to Tolkien's letter asking about the US publisher interested in The Hobbit, C. A. Furth gives details. It is the Houghton Mifflin Company (HMC)...
In this three-page handwritten letter, Tolkien writes to his publisher about the release date for The Hobbit, going on at length about how it would be b...
Tolkien, writing to GA&U approves the dust-jacket for The Hobbit but feels the sun would be better with a finer outline. He prefers the green binding an...
Tolkien writes to Lionel Salt, the Bursar at Pembroke College, University of Cambridge to apologise that he must miss a play as Christopher, his son was...
Writing to Tolkien, C. A. Furth of GA&U asks him to return the approved binding for The Hobbit. He agrees that the 'wavy line' will be removed, but says...
C. A. writes, informing Tolkien that GA&U will send him a new binding for The Hobbit. It will have have different lettering without the lines under the ...
Tolkien writes to Furth of GA&U. He agrees that the revised binding would do. He had hoped that the 'wavy line' would be transformed into something and ...
Tolkien writes to GA&U and encloses the most recent photograph of himself as requested by Susan Dagnall. By letter or in person? He asks them again abou...
Tolkien sends the last two colour drawings for the American edition of The Hobbit and asks GA&U to send it on to Houghton Mifflin. he also asks about a ...
Writing to C.A. Furth, and apologizes for his lengthy letter regarding the dustcover blurb. Tolkien believes he is still waiting on five copies of The H...
Tolkien writes to C.A. Furth of GA&U. He needs five outstanding author's copies and seven copies for giving to a few people who cannot buy a of The Hobb...
Tolkien, writing to Stanley Unwin, apologizes for sounding ungrateful to him. Unwin had sent Tolkien a much welcomed cheque. He hopes that the Hobbit ea...
A short note enclosed with a copy of The Hobbit which was published on the same day. It was sent to Simonne d'Ardenne as a gift. This letter is held amo...
Tolkien wrote to his Aunt, Jane Neave enclosing a signed copy of The Hobbit. This letter and the book were described with some short quotes and an image...
Writing to his son Christopher, Tolkien says how delighted he is to have received his letter, although he doesn't expect them. He, Edith, and Priscilla ...
Tolkien was pleased that The Hobbit was being well received, though he knows that the two glowing, unsigned reviews in The Times and the Times Literary ...
Originally published as just a fragment of a thank you letter to Stanley Unwin who had written that Tolkien was "one of those rare people with genius." ...
Writing to Tolkien, Stanley Unwin suggests 17 November for their next meeting. Tolkien had written earlier that day suggesting other dates but writes an...
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...
Arthur Ransome, best known for his Swallows and Amazons series of childrens books wrote to Tolkien in 1937 after The Hobbit had been published, firstly ...
Tolkien apologizes for the delay in replying to Selby's November letter due to his poor health. He remarks that he prefers his own mythology which The H...
Replying to Arthur Ransome's letter of 13th December Tolkien opens with exclamations of honour at receiving a letter from Ransome. Tolkien apologizes fo...
Stanley writes to Tolkien with news that the first edition of The Hobbit has sold and a new printing will be issued almost immediately. He notes that To...
Tolkien has received a letter from Arthur Ransome, who wonders about the use of the word "man" in The Hobbit, as well as a few other letters from reader...
Arthur Ransome writes to Tolkien with further thoughts about The Hobbit. He says that he had recently had an operation and the book had turned that time...
"I have written the first chapter of a new story about Hobbits – 'A long expected party'" remarks Tolkien in this letter to C.A. Furth of GA&U. This i...
A reader had written to the Observer newspaper asking various questions on The Hobbit and Beowulf. White sends a clipping of that letter to Tolkien and ...
Originally published as just a fragment of a letter, asking if Rayner Unwin was interested to read the "sequel to The Hobbit". In the revised 2023 editi...
Tolkien sends to his publisher, the first chapter of a new book, the sequel to The Hobbit. ‘A Long-expected Party’, the first chapter of this book, ...
Stanley Unwin writes that his son Rayner is delighted with the sample chapter from the new book about hobbits. Rayner does wonder if a child who hasn't ...
Tolkien informs his publisher that Houghton Mifflin are yet to return to him the five orginal watercolour paintings for The Hobbit.
In this two page handwritten letter, Tolkien thanks Unwin's son Rayner for his positive feedback on the first chapter of the new book, "A Long-Expected ...
Tolkien responds to a request, likely from a researcher or enthusiast, regarding the origins and inspirations behind his work, particularly The Hobbit. ...
Tolkien writes to Stanley Unwin about C.S. Lewis's Out of the Silent Planet and gives him an update on progress with the sequel to The Hobbit. He also m...
Tolkien expresses reluctance to create drawings of hobbits and suggests leaving such tasks to someone with artistic skills. He provides a description of...
Rayner "scribbles" a book report on the first three chapters of the Hobbit sequel. His father Stanley sends this review to Tolkien along with a cover le...
Tolkien thanks Stanley Unwin for the excellent news from America, where The Hobbit is selling well and it has won a prize of $250. Rayner's review of th...
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...
Tolkien wrote to Stanley Unwin in response to a letter from a German publisher, Rütten & Loening Verlag. They wanted to publish a German translation of...
Rütten & Loening Verlag, the German publisher enquired about publishing a German translation of The Hobbit. As part of their conditions they wanted to ...
Tolkien writes to Mr. Furth, expressing his current state of being oppressed and unwell due to recent troubles. He submits Farmer Giles for consideratio...
In this letter to Stanley Unwin, J.R.R. Tolkien discusses his recent intense work on a sequel to The Hobbit, which has reached Chapter XI. He expresses ...
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...
Tolkien, writing to Stanley Unwin, expresses gratitude for the kind note and apologizes for his neglectful correspondence due to personal and health iss...
After addressing overdue correspondence, Tolkien mentions resuming work on his sequel to The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, but anticipates the impendin...
Writing to Christopher, Tolkien remarks on the work of typing up "Hobbit" and how Edith and Priscilla are getting along. He then promises to write more.
Tolkien notes his pleasure at receiveing letters from readers. He mentions his mythology and remarks that he has nearly finished a second book on hobbit...
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...
Tolkien wrote this long letter to two schoolgirls, Leila Keane and Patricia Kirke who were both very enthusiastic about hobbits, in reply to their quest...
Christopher had apparently been having a bad week, and Tolkien writes with his sympathies. He says to not spend “precious time” on letter writing, t...
No details of this letter are known except for the note in #TCGLetter1033 that says Tolkien now knows that Christopher had received the "fotobriefs" in ...
Tolkien had an outing, seeing the two Lewis brothers and having lunch with C.S. Lewis. During the meeting, Lewis read part of a new story.
Tolkien recounts recent events, including a cycle ride to Pembroke, a train journey to Birmingham, and a visit to his hometown. During the train journey...
Tolkien shares his commitment to completing The Lord of the Rings, expressing the challenges of re-reading and researching while working on the adventur...
Tolkien writes to Christopher and mentions him sitting in his garden on a beautiful night around 2 a.m. Tolkien had struggled that day with a chapter an...
Tolkien expresses gratitude for a recently received airletter, shares updates about writing progress on The Lord of the Rings and mentions spending time...
Tolkien expresses joy at receiving a batch of letters and, discusses the distressing but unsurprising uncensored accounts of Christopher's experiences, ...
Tolkien gives Christopher an update on his progess on The Two Towers, the second book of The Lord of the Rings. He has read the second chapter, "Passage...
Tolkien had received an airletter from Christopher that morning and he read it while enjoying breakfast in bed. He describes the events of St. George's ...
Tolkien writes of his longing and concern for Christopher in the midst of war, reflecting on human suffering and the senselessness of conflict. Despite ...
Having read another chapter to C.S. Lewis, Tolkien is now writing the next, and will send Christopher copies as soon as possible.
Tolkien responds to Christopher's letters and acknowledges the challenges and frustrations of life in the military camp during the war. He empathizes wi...
Tolkien completed a fourth new chapter titled 'Faramir,' which received approval from C.S. Lewis and Charles Williams. He notes that he attended church ...
Tolkien spent a morning writing The Lord of the Rings and is now in sight of Minas Morghul. He has been gardening in the midday heat. he expresses his r...
Writing to Christopher, Tolkien updates him on his progress writing The Lord of the Rings. He had needed to sort the study, and "attend to business". He...
Tolkien apologizes for the lapse in correspondence. He gives an update on writing of The Lord of the Rings. He reads for Lewis and Williams and both men...
Tolkien expresses gratitude for the letters he has received from Christopher and briefly mentions an inclination to envy his time in the hills. Tolkien ...
Writing to Christopher with an update on recent happenings. He had dinner in college and notes that "the three old gents" were very easy to talk to. Lew...
Tolkien acknowledges receiving Christopher's air letter and briefly mentions the weather. He provide updates on recent activities, including efforts in ...
Stanley Unwin writes to Tolkien asking of he could meet his son Rayner who is serving as a Cadet in the Navy at Oxford. He also encloses a cheque for £...
Tolkien had gone to bed early, and stayed there for nearly 10 hours, which he says has made him feel “worn out”. He mentions that he had received a ...
Stanley Unwin had sent Tolkien a large cheque as payment of royalties on The Hobbit, and mentions that Rayner is now at Oxford reading English. Tolkien ...
Tolkien opens this letter by mentioning that he is writing this letter using his new "midget type" typewriter cartridges. These could be interchanged an...
Writing to Christopher, Tolkien gives news of C.S. Lewis and his need for an operation to remove some shrapnel, which he says must have been in his arm ...
Tolkien discusses the name Sam Gamgee, agreeing with Christopher's opinion and explaining the choice to emphasize the character's comic, peasantry, and ...
Tolkien reports in a newly published portion that he had received Christopher's airletter of 24 July. He says that his day on Friday was “grim”, as ...
Tolkien responds to Christopher's letters, encouraging openness about details of his life. He offers support for navigating challenges and express the n...
Tolkien sends a postcard with greetings to Selby. He also notes that Priscilla, his daughter, is typing early chapters of The Lord of the Rings, which h...
Tolkien writes to G.E. Selby, a family friend agreeing to act as a referee for his application to a post. In a newly published extract, of this previous...
Tolkien expresses joy at receiving an airgraph before Christopher's departure to Standerton. He discusses the progress of the chapters and promises to s...
Engaged in revision, Tolkien reflects on the chapter "King of the Golden Hall" and finds it to be rather good with the perspective of time.
Tolkien has discovered a severe problem in timing for events in The Lord of the Rings, and will require much work to fix. He has sent a copy of Leaf by ...
The timeline for The Lord of the Rings is giving Tolkien trouble, but with some small changes to the map and a few extra days here and there seem to hav...
Tolkien sends the last two chapters of the fourth book of The Lord of the Rings, and quotes from a letter he has received from a fan who has read The Ho...
Writing to Charles Brady, C. S. Lewis makes mention of Tolkien and his Hobbit books. He mentions that a sequel to the Hobbit will soon be finished. He d...
Tolkien sends a small consignment of "The Ring," consisting of the last two chapters that have been written and the end of the Fourth Book. The hero is ...
Tolkien opens with the news that he has finished his Beowulf lectures . He has neglected academic matters in favour of working out the time-schemes and ...
Tolkien has given himself an early Christmas gift in the form of a new pruner for the garden, and gives a humorous description of his cycling to the gar...
Tolkien expresses joy that Christopher enjoyed the next three chapters of "The Ring" and provides information about the schedule for sending the remaini...
Tolkien is happy to get so many letters from Christopher, and is very pleased that the third batch of Ring material has gotten to Christopher and that h...
Tolkien says he is struggling with letters, many of which he should have written at Christmas. He complains that the weather is bitterly cold and he can...
Tolkien writes to Leila Keane and Patricia Kirke, he discusses his progress with The Lord of the Rings, and the fortunes of his family. The letter was a...
Tolkien describes some domestic plumbing troubles that prevented him from meeting up with Lewis in the morning, but the eventually managed to make it to...
Tolkien expresses deep concern about Rayner, who is off to war, and mentions that his son Christopher has become great friends with Chris Unwin. One of ...
Stephen Bone, the writer and painter, writes to Tolkien. He remarks on his children's enjoyment of The Hobbit and asks Tolkien if he would send him a ma...
Tolkien remarks that he would be comforted if Christopher could be re-commissioned out of the R.A.F. Christopher had recently returned from service. He ...
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...
Tolkien expresses delight at the prospect of publishing "Farmer Giles of Ham" but cites academic commitments as a hindrance to providing more material p...
Tolkien mentions receiving letters from Horus Engels regarding a German translation, and while Engels doesn't explicitly propose himself as a translator...
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 ...
Tolkien responded to Rayner Unwin's comments about The Fellowship of the Ring. He talks about allegory as well as other literary illusions. Tolkien ment...
Tolkien provides information about the origin and authorship of the riddles included in their work. He clarifies that most of the riddles are their orig...
Tolkien apologizes for the delay in responding to a letter sent in July and explains that he has been preoccupied with philology due to academic commitm...
Tolkien writes to Jennifer with some advice on an Oxford College, and errors in The Hobbit. A description of the letter appeared in The J.R.R. Tolkien C...
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...
Following on from his letter in 1945, Bone returns a speciman page from The Lord of the Rings and discusses it. We currently have no record of Tolkien's...
Katharine Farrer had written to Tolkien, in runes, asking if he would sign her copy of The Hobbit. Tolkien replies to her letter in runes. He says that ...
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...
In a series of seven letters, a young reader, Hugh Brogan, writes to Tolkien on the matter of his "thirst for more information about Middle-earth" and r...
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...
In a series of seven letters, a young reader, Hugh Brogan, writes to Tolkien on the matter of his "thirst for more information about Middle-earth" and r...
Tolkien opens this letter with apologies for his delayed reply. He says that he must have appeared ungrateful, but not only was he grateful, he was exci...
Success! declares Tolkien. He has completed The Lord of the Rings and having been read by Rayner Unwin is approved. He does not think it will make any m...
In a series of seven letters, a young reader, Hugh Brogan, writes to Tolkien on the matter of his "thirst for more information about Middle-earth" and r...
In a series of seven letters, a young reader, Hugh Brogan, writes to Tolkien on the matter of his "thirst for more information about Middle-earth" and r...
In a series of seven letters, a young reader, Hugh Brogan, writes to Tolkien on the matter of his "thirst for more information about Middle-earth" and r...
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 ...
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.
In a series of seven letters, a young reader, Hugh Brogan, writes to Tolkien on the matter of his "thirst for more information about Middle-earth" and r...
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...
Tolkien discusses the progress of Farmer Giles and hints that the final draft of Lord of the Rings could be done something with.
Lewis writes to Tolkien after reading The Lord of the Rings giving Tolkien high praise and feedback. The entire letter is published in volume two of Lew...
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...
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...
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 ...
Tolkien writes to Stanley Unwin, mentioning various topics but chief among them is The Lord of the Rings. Stranded without a publisher, and the work now...
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.
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...
Sir Stanley Unwin writes to Tolkien on the matter of how to publish the Lord of the Rings. He does not see a possibility of one volume and gives some fi...
Relations between Tolkien and Allen & Unwin had begun to become strained as Tolkien felt that A&U were not open to publishing his work as he would have ...
Tolkien was sent proofs for a new edition of The Hobbit and remarks on how The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit are interlinked. He was not expecting hi...
Writing to Hugh Brogan, Tolkien notes that he does not know what is happening with The Lord of the Rings which he had hoped would be published this year...
Tolkien writes about the new revised edition of The Hobbit.
Touching on poems about dragons, Beowulf, and fellow Inkling C. S. Lewis. This letter to Prof. Henry Bosley Woolf thanks him for sending a copy of a pap...
Tolkien wrote this letter to Milton Waldman. Tolkien wanted his publisher, George Allen & Unwin, to publish both The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarill...
C.S. Lewis writes to the 'Grittletonians' recommending Tolkien's The Hobbit.
Rayner Unwin had written to Tolkien about 'Errantry' and this gave Tolkien an opportunity to see if he could get The Lord of the Rings published by Geor...
In 1937, at the urging of his publishers, Tolkien began writing "a new Hobbit." Due to his full-time academic position, progress was slow, and he abando...
Tolkien writes a letter to Moira Sayer concerning the second half of The Lord of the Rings. Quotes appear in Christie's 20th Century Books and Manuscrip...
Tolkien expresses his eagerness to publish The Lord of the Rings as soon as possible. Tolkien plans to spend some days correcting the manuscript at his ...
Tolkien expresses regret for producing a substantial work like The Lord of the Rings during challenging times. He expresses gratitude for the recipient'...
Rayner Unwin writing to Tolkien gives him the welcome news that they have decided to publish The Lord of the Rings. They will take the unusual approach ...
Tolkien replies to Rayner's letter and mentions his pleasure at the news of Allen & Unwin's decision to publish The Lord of the Rings.
Tolkien has not supplied Sayer with a copy of The Lord of the Rings as yet.
An undated letter from later in March contains a new plea for help, this time in writing a publicity blurb for The Lord of the Rings.
Tolkien writes to Rayner Unwin about the challenges he's faced leading up to the contract day for The Lord of the Rings. He is also concerned about Edit...
Tolkien apologizes for the delay in sending the revised manuscript for The Lord of the Rings. His move was incredibly challenging. Tolkien has finally c...
Tolkien asks Rayner Unwin for an update on galleys for The Lord of the Rings. He hopes that there will be little work as the copy was “pretty good”....
Tolkien writes to Allen & Unwin asking if there will be opportunity for the book to be reviewed. He wants C.S. Lewis especially to be able to review the...
Writing in reply to a letter from Beard (July 16th), Tolkien confirms he has received galleys that were wrongly delivered to his old address at 99 Holyw...
Tolkien expresses his frustration with the galleys of his work, The Lord of the Rings. He finds the process tedious and mentions that the printed versio...
Tolkien writes about The Lord of the Rings and he suggests some titles if it is published in three volumes. He was also concerned about whether the publ...
Eames had written to Tolkien the previous day regarding galleys for The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien replies saying he will return all copies, "if it is l...
Tolkien expresses gratitude for Rayner's visit. He proposes titles for the volumes of The Lord of the Rings and his rationale behind the titles.
Letter discussing galleys of Lord of the Rings as well as Tolkien's translation of Sir Gawain. Although he complains about the lack of a tape recorder, ...
Tolkien writes, reminding Rayner that he will be in London the following day, he hopes Rayner will have time to lunch with him. He will arrive at Museum...
Tolkien apologizes for his delay in providing comments on the drawings. He does not think them satisfactory. He says that he should have been more caref...
Tolkien expresses frustration and anxiety over the "maps", as he believed they were an essential part of The Lord of the Rings.
Tolkien writes to Rayner, he has been struggling with ill-health through the term and only recently has he been able to deal with “many strands” of ...
Tolkien will bring his copy of the third volume for GA&U to use for costing but says it is yet to be revised and will need to be returned to him. He hop...
Tolkien writing to Rayner says that Volume Two reads “rather well” and notes that the first book contains very few errors. He hopes to arrive at the...
Robert Murray had offered Tolkien some thought on The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien replied that The Lord of the Rings is a Catholic work, describing it as...
Writing to Miss Perry, Tolkien discusses the Lord of the Rings, hoping it will be published in the coming year. He has had ill health and has been very ...
Tolkien thanks Katharine Farrer for her “charity” at a time he is suffering illness. He felt that the Sir Gawain broadcast on BBC Radio was not espe...
GA&U sent Arthur Ransome a copy of The Fellowship of the Ring asking him to review it. Included was a short note: "I am sending you a set of uncorrected...
Tolkien arranges to visit Allen & Unwin in London with the manuscript for The Return of the King.
Tolkien writes about corrections to Book III and Book IV.
Tolkien sends by registered post two maps, the 'General Map', and 'Part of the Shire'. Both of these maps were drawn by Christopher Tolkien. Tolkien wil...
Writing to Allen & Unwin, Tolkien says that he has today, sent by registered, the proof for the “General Map” with a second map for 'Part of the Shi...
Tolkien, writing to Allen & Unwin, encloses possible jacket designs, one for The Fellowship of the Ring, and another for The Two Towers. Describing them...
Tolkien sends Allen & Unwin proofs of various pages and notes that included rune for “33” are not good, also “59” which he has previous explaine...
Tolkien has drawn a sketch for Volume III, but says he won't show it to Rayner as it is not constructive to point out the artificial divisions in the vo...
Further to #TCGLetter1438, Tolkien says that p. 33 passes, p. 59 is improved. He has discovered “2 or 3” errors in the runic decoration on the title...
Tolkien writes about his use of languages in the book and explains the challenges faced in creating maps for The Lord of the Rings. He discusses the dis...
Tolkien writes to Stanley Unwin regarding Richard Hughes's opinion of The Lord of the Rings. Excerpts appears in Sotheby's Catalogue of Nineteenth Centu...
Tolkien is pleased with positive early opinions about his work. He notes his dissatisfaction with the Houghton Mifflin effort, and gives some suggestion...
Tolkien does not approve of the proofs for the jacket of The Lord of the Rings, which he finds very ugly. He suggests some changes to the design of the ...
Tolkien addresses queries about The Two Towers by Allen and Unwin's head reader. Tolkien found the close reading extraordinary. A large publisher will h...
Tolkien expresses his delight in receiving an advance copy of The Fellowship of the Ring, he finds the jacket much improved and striking, particularly l...
Tolkien remarks on the division of The Lord of the Rings into three volumes, and complains about the 'contemptuous' review of the first volume in the Su...
Tolkien expresses concerns about misprints in The Fellowship of the Ring. He highlights a disagreement over a botanical term, corrected by the printers....
Tolkien writes to his son Michael, telling of the welcome from certain people of his "major work". He suggests that Michael George, his grandson, may en...
Tolkien remarks on the morality of The Lord of the Rings and thanks the Farrer for paying close attention to such matters. He addresses the connections ...
Christina Scull and Wayne Hammond in a blogpost posted an extract of a letter to Nevill Coghill which can be read at
Tolkien expresses his relief that the critiques were better than feared. He acknowledges the disadvantage of issuing the work in three parts, with criti...
Tolkien shares thoughts on the fascination of The Lord of the Rings. The author hopes to include an upcoming note on translation. The letter ends with t...
Tolkien is unable to submit any of the Appendices. The delay is attributed to promises made in Volume I, which are proving very difficult to meet.
Tolkien replies to Hugh Brogan who had written on the subject of The Fellowship of the Ring.
Tolkien opens by saying he has been ill or else would have replied to Miss Perry's letter of 10 August. He mentions a Mr. Lambert and that authors shoul...
Tolkien responds to Mrs. Mitchison's kind letter and her generous and perceptive review of The Lord of the Rings. He discusses the complexity of the wor...
Tolkien responds to Mrs Mitchison's about the concept of "magic" in his works, particularly in The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien acknowledges that it is a ...
Tolkien responds to a reader's extensive analysis and questions about The Lord of the Rings. Amongst many topics, Tolkien discusses the unique fate of H...
Daphne Castell (later Cloke) interviewed Tolkien circa 1966. This letter, along with three others and an annotated transcript of her notes for the inter...
Tolkien was delighted to receive a letter from Mr. John Staniforth referring to himself as a "sexagenarian". Tolkien cites his noticing of the songs in ...
Tolkien was sent a letter on the 11th October and replied to some queries about Gollum and the publication date of The Two Towers.
Tolkien addresses several topics related to The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien discusses the characters Smeagol and Gandalf (including the nature of the Ist...
Tolkien remarks on the reception to The Fellowship of the Ring by his colleagues. A photograph of the first half of the first page was included in Chris...
Tolkien replies to Miss Perry who had sent Tolkien a favourable review of The Lord of the Rings. He was very pleased and discusses it along with other p...
Tolkien expresses regret for not having written or offered help during the recipient's difficult times, and suggests the possibility of contributing fun...
Hugh Brogan writes again to Tolkien and offers him some criticisms of the archaic style used in parts of The Lord of the Rings.
George Allen & Unwin offer a review copy of The Fellowship of the Ring for possible translation into Italian by Arnolda Monadori Editors. They mention t...
Tolkien apologizes to Rayner for not having sent off the "main matter" earlier, and he details the hectic year he has had. "More than any one person cou...
Arnoldo Mondadori Editore ask for a copy of The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers to decide if they wish to print an Italian translation.
Writing to the Italian publisher, Arnoldo Mondadori Editore, the Foreign Rights Department of GA&U note their pleasure at the publishers consideration t...
Arnoldo Mondadori Editore (Milan) writes thanking George Allen & Unwin for copies of the Fellowship of the Ring and the Two Towers. They have been sent ...
Tolkien replies to Mr. Tiller regarding a BBC radio adaptation of The Lord of the Rings. He gives his approval and says he will contact Allen & Unwin to...
This internal readers report offers various points on The Lord of the Rings while it is being considered for piblication in Italian. In conclusion, the ...
Among various subjects, Tolkien mentions his health, which has been good, and the oddness of suggestioning gifts. He remarks that he was gifted a pair o...
Arnoldo Mondadori Editore turn down publishing The Lord of the Rings as they don't think "that a work of this kind could appeal to a great number of Ita...
W.H. Auden had been sent a proof copy of the Return of the King during the period it was titled The War of the Ring. He offers feedback, some questionin...
Christopher Tolkien had re-drawn Tolkien's draft-map of the area of Gondor and Rohan.
Writing to Miss Turnbull, Tolkien says that he has not had time to reply to her long letter as he is "en-meshed with business" and the final pieces of v...
Tolkien replies to Rayner Unwin concerning his approval of Tolkien's map, which Christopher Tolkien reproduced.
Thanking Miss Turnbull for a gift and mention that he has sent off the last items (proofs) for The Return of the King.
Rayner Unwin sends Tolkien a folder with reviews from the USA, forwarded from Houghton Mifflin.
Tolkien is still not happy with the appendices going in with The Return of the King, but says that they will have to do. He remarks on the ability of th...
Tolkien writes that he has been involved with administrative duties as well as other distractions. He hopes that Nathan Starr has The Two Towers and is ...
Replying to Rosemary Summers, believed to be a teacher, Tolkien says that some critics argued the Hobbit was too frightening for children. Her school ch...
Tolkien responded to a request as to what makes him 'tick'. Quotes from this letter were printed in the 5 June 1955 New York Times Book Review article '...
Tolkien shares insights into the origins and inspirations behind his writing, particularly focusing on The Lord of the Rings. He discusses the evolution...
Tolkien mentions his visit to London where he met Rayner Unwin. He met Mr. Wilson, who he described as "the small old Scot who seems to reign over that ...
Tolkien describes a challenging and overwhelming period with an excessive workload, emphasizing the strain it has taken. He mentions booksellers, includ...
This packet sent to Tolkien from the printers Jarrod & Sons' on 29 June is noted in Tolkien's reply to Allen & Unwin. They had sent Tolkien page proofs ...
Tolkien notes that the proofs sent to him arrived later than expected and notes that this will hurry matters, after his "days of leisure" have been cut ...
Tolkien received some additional proofs of The Return of the King back from the printers, and is still not happy with the result. He chalks it up to his...
Tolkien expresses dissatisfaction with the current proofreading procedure and raises concerns about potential errors in the published volume.
A letter from Tolkien to Miss Judson of Tunbridge Wells talking about The Return of the King and Tolkien's 1955 trip to Italy.
Tolkien writes discussing the maps in The Lord of the Rings and his much needed holiday in "Gondor ...: Polargir and Lossarnach" (identified in a note ...
Tolkien wishes that Mrs. Dixey will enjoy reading the as yet unpublished Return of the King, telling her that there are about 100 pages of appendices. I...
Tolkien says that he cannot answer Mr. Beard's questions until he is back home and has a proof copy of the final text of Return of the King to look at.
Tolkien writes to John Roberts, apologising for the delay in publishing the third volume of The Lord of the Rings. He describes the third volume, regret...
Tolkien responds to Mr. Jeffery's letter. Tolkien discusses the command of Elvish script and mentions the upcoming release of Volume III, which will inc...
Tolkien answers a letter discussing among other things the delay in the last volume of The Lord of the Rings. He hopes the final volume is close to publ...
Tolkien was asked about 'Numinor' in C.S. Lewis's That Hideous Strength and responds that it is a form of unintended borrowing. Tolkien clarifies that t...
Tolkien addresses the criticism of his use of deliberate archaism in his writing and strongly defends his choice to use this in The Lord of the Rings as...
Tolkien had begun a longer letter to Hugh Brogan giving reasons for the inclusion of archaic language in The Lord of the Rings. He did not finish that l...
Brogan writes to Tolkien offering apologies for his "impertinent, stupid, or sycophantic" comments in his letter from December 1954. Tolkien will pen a ...
Tolkien opens this two sided post-note apologising for his delay in replying. He and Edith have both been very ill of late. He had recieved the proof-co...
Tolkien feels that his life may be in danger if The Return of the King is not published soon. This letter is held at the 'Tolkien–George Allen & Unwin...
Tolkien writes to Allen & Unwin, stressing that they must publish The Return of the King on the 20th October 1955. The letter is held at the 'Tolkien–...
Letter to Mr. Mitchell, about reading The Lord of the Rings and extends offer to sign his 3 volumes. Tolkien hopes that his success with the The Lord of...
The letter concerns The Return of the King and Tolkien's invented languages as the source from which his stories originally grew.
Tolkien expresses pleasure that his books cheered her. The recipient may be Joyce Biddell of Maidstone, Kent, who adapted the novel for the stage in 196...
Tolkien delivered his O'Donnell lecture, English and Welsh, on the 21st October 1955 and mentions that The Return of the King was published on the 20th ...
Tolkien expresses gratitude for Lord Halsbury's approval and interest in his work. He discusses the surprising success of The Lord of the Rings and foll...
Tolkien writes about the radio adaption of The Lord of the Rings. He specifically criticizes the portrayal of events around Tom Bombadil and Goldberry. ...
Little is known of this 6 page letter but Tolkien touches on the publication of The Lord of the Rings, stating it is not a trilogy and not an allegory. ...
Tolkien responds to a reviewer's questions about The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien discusses that the story is meant to be enjoyed as a fairy tale. He ment...
Hugh Brogan writes to Tolkien on the matter of his criticism of The Lord of the Rings. He hopes that his criticism has not detracted from his "real admi...
The Return of the King was published 20 October 1955. Irritated by the Times Literary Supplement review of 25 November 1955, Mr. Masson, a librarian at ...
Tolkien writes about Victorian Warwickshire as an inspiration for the Shire. Additional quotes from this letter appear in Chronology. The original is he...
Tolkien is happy to accept criticism of The Lord of the Rings.
This letter remains unpublished and little is known beyond one quote, Tolkien says that "One must write to a map in being or times and distances get hop...
Tolkien writes a brief letter thanking Mr Polet for his letter and expresses his delight that Polet is enoying The Lord of the Rings.
This letter to an unknown recipient was briefly mentioned in an article, 'Tolkien Letter's a Treasure' posted by the Chronicle in Newcastle after an app...
Tolkien says he has had no time to revisit The Silmarillion, but hoping to in the near future. He makes a point to thank Rayner Unwin for all his help i...
Tolkien replies to Godfrey Nicholson who is a member of Parliament and a fan of The Lord of the Rings. He says he would be delighted to meet and dine wi...
Tolkien replies to Peter Alford, of the BBC about his production of The Lord of the Rings.
This undated letter sent sometime between January 1956 and April 1958 concerns an Elvish passage as noted by Anders Stenström. He noted an Elvish passa...
Tolkien expresses gratitude for a reader's encouraging letter. He writes that his work began during World War I and evolved into the invention of legend...
These are Tolkien's notes based on a review by W.H. Auden. He argues that his story is not an allegory of his personal experiences but a depiction of hu...
Tolkien likes the illustrations that he has been sent, and discusses his own drawing skills. He has sent the drawings to Allen & Unwin, but has little h...
Tolkien writes about the divisions of the books of The Lord of the Rings. Enclosed with the letter was two paragraphs that Tolkien describes as being "i...
Tolkien is pleased to read of Mr Durden's "delight" from reading The Lord of the Rings. He mentions briefly the Appendices, and that he hopes to be able...
Among many subjects Tolkien discusses the unfinished index for The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion. Numenor, echoes of past tales. 'Tunes' for po...
Sam Gamgee writes to Tolkien about his family hearing the BBC Radio production of the Lord of the Rings (lost) and being surprised about the use of Gamg...
Tolkien writes to a Mr Sam Gamgee from Tooting. He mentions how he came up with the name Gamgee, and mentions "cotton-wool" and the Gamgee family from B...
Tolkien wrote to Christopher about #TCGLetter533.
Tolkien dismisses the idea that his story is an allegory of atomic power. Tolkien mentions the significance of humility and equality as spiritual princi...
Tolkien expresses his strong concern about the translation of The Lord of the Rings. As a professional linguist and the author of the work, he emphasize...
Tolkien responded to Mrs. Wilson stating that The Lord of the Rings should really be read by adults, as it was not a work aimed at children.
Tolkien describes himself as a philologist, and sometime calligrapher. An index of Elvish names was intended to be produced, noting that his 'specialist...
As with Tolkien's draft of this letter, this letter opens with Tolkien's ackowledgment of Minchin's suggestions and his note that he is now more than ev...
Writing to a fan, Tolkien says that he has no time to explain things concerning his writing at this time, noting that it is the beginning of term. But t...
Tolkien hoped that he would be able to publish parts of The Silmarillion After the success of The Lord of the Rings he hoped it may be reconsidered.
Tolkien apologizes for making Doris Sykes "anxious", explaining that had been very busy. He says that the publisher does not intend to make an illustrat...
Tolkien has been invited to visit Cambridge and give a speech, but he must decline due to his workload. He notes that he has many invitations at the mom...
Tolkien expresses strong objections to the Dutch translation of The Lord of the Rings. He vehemently opposes any alteration or translation of the nomenc...
Tolkien reflects on Frodo's role in the destruction of the Ring and discusses the theological implications of his actions. Tolkien rejects the notion of...
Tolkien responds to a letter discussing Frodo's perceived failure in the story. Tolkien defends Frodo's inability to surrender the Ring as an inevitable...
Tolkien discusses the concept of "accent" in the context of representing different languages, particularly the Common Speech (C.S.) in his legendarium. ...
Tolkien answers some questions, on The Silmarillion and on Elvish sleep among more general queries. It is plainly suggested that Elves do ‘sleep’, b...
Mr Britten asked some questions about the nomenclature of place names, and the map of the Shire. Tolkien discusses the names Pincup, Nobottle, and Oxfor...
Tolkien replies to a fan letter with pleasure that Mr. Roberts is enjoying The Lord of the Rings. He makes a brief mention of his First and Second Age s...
Tolkien says that work is still getting in the way of him spending any time on The Silmarillion. He is having trouble with a professor in America as wel...
Tolkien writes to Max Schuchart on matters of the Dutch translation of the Fellowship of the Ring.
Tolkien apologizes to Rayner for being exhausted at their previous meeting and says he is recovering from a very stressful school term. He says that he ...
In reply to a letter from a boy who had read The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien says he is pleased that his work is bringing enjoyment to readers. He says t...
A letter to a young fan named Charles Blackwood. Discusses runes, Tolkien remarks that he did not invent the runes in The Hobbit. See for more details.
Tolkien expresses gratitude for a letter from GA&U and contemplates the idea of retiring in July and reflects on the financial and health implications. ...
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...
Tolkien was not inclined to offer any biographical details, as he doubted their relevance. Though he does go on to give some biographical facts. This le...
Tolkien provides an explanation of Sauron's nature and his role in the world.
Tolkien expresses dissatisfaction with the current script for the proposed film version of The Lord of the Rings. Previously, Wayne G. Hammond and Chris...
Tolkien describes his meeting with Sir Stanley Unwin and Mr Ackerman, they decided upon a policy to deal with film rights.
C.S. Lewis writes to a young reader thanking her for her letter on her enjoyment of his Narnia stories. He says that he too enjoys Nesbit and notes furt...
In response to a letter from Herbert Schiro asking about allegory in The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien quite angrily dismisses these readings. Much of this...
Tolkien discusses a letter from Halsbury expressing admiration for the Silmarillion material and anticipation for its publication. Tolkien mentions a le...
Rayner agrees with Tolkien that future translations should adopt the names as Tolkien prefers. Rayner says that Allen & Unwin can have an index of names...
Tolkien discusses his hectic schedule, translations of the rcently published (in 3 volumes) Lord of the Rings. Tolkien states that he is "on leave now f...
Rayner has found a lady who can index The Lord of the Rings for him, and notes that he has said it is to be in "two parts". One of proper names and one ...
Tolkien congratulates Christopher on a paper that he gave at St Anne's College.
Tolkien confirms that Tuesday will be fine for a visit, though he has a guest around 7pm. The guest will be Mr Jonathan Wordsworth.
Tolkien writes to his friend Przemyslaw Mroczkowski saying that he is relieved that Przemyslaw will allow Tolkien to share "a little of the proceeds of ...
Following the publication of the third volume from Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, many readers' demands grew for an index or glossary that would hel...
Tolkien writes a letter thanking Mr. Ouboter regarding his visit to Holland. He says that the sooner he can return there, the better.
Professor Jongkees had invited Tolkien for a cup of tea, Tolkien replies as if by Gandalf.
Tolkien describes in great detail his trip to Rotterdam.
Tolkien expresses his intent to review the "Story-Line" provided by Zimmerman for the animated film adaptation of The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien indicat...
Tolkien describes the 'message' in The Lord of the Rings.
Tolkien had been visited by Forest J. Ackerman in September 1957 (see reference) to discuss a proposed adaptation of The Lord of the Rings. Ackerman sho...
Due to demand from fans, Rayner Unwin hires editor and friend Nancy Smith to help Tolkien compile an index for The Lord of the Rings. See also #TCGLette...
Writing to Tolkien, Rayner says that he will seriously consider adding the index into the Lord of the Rings. Possibly to coincide with the proposed publ...
After receiving the script sent from Morton Grady Zimmerman Tolkien replies with (in parts) stinging criticism. He opens by apologising for sounding irr...
After Lewis had suggested Lucy Matthews to read The Lord of the Rings, she wrote to Lewis again and he replied saying that she had "got it exactly right...
Tolkien describes Hobbit history and the process of giving and receiving gifts in the Shire.
Tolkien responds to questions, explaining the inspiration and meaning behind various elements in The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien concludes by emphasizing...
Tolkien describes the creation of the World and then of the Dwarves by Aulë in draft that was never sent to Beare.
Tolkien sends his apologies not replying earlier, he describes himself as "a much harassed man".
Tolkien apologises for the cost of The Lord of the Rings. He notes that he did not research his tale but that any tale cannot exist in a void and one ca...
Tolkien makes arrangements for the transfer of money regarding the purchase of his manuscripts of The Lord of the Rings. The original letter in the form...
Tolkien writes with gratitude regarding Ready's arrangement of the purchase by the Marquette University of Tolkien's manuscripts for The Lord of the Rin...
Tolkien declines to take part in a symposium on Children's writing in draft form, but ends up sending just a short note.
Tolkien writes to Benjamin, and thanks him for buying The Lord of the Rings and answers a question on the height of Amon Hen, he doubts it was much over...
Tolkien writes about the Polish translation of The Lord of the Rings. A slightly different quotation from the letter is given in Chronology from that re...
A Cambridge cat breeder had asked if she could register a litter of Siamese kittens under names taken from The Lord of the Rings.
Tolkien had hoped to see Mitchison but her letter "twice delayed" had not reached Tolkien until it was too late. He gives an update on life and remarks ...
Tolkien writes to Rayner about his translations of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Pearl.
Tolkien wrote a series of letters to his cousin Dorothy Wood and Sotheby's auction house quoted from many. Among those that no date could be determined ...
A fascinating letter on the labors of producing his iconic work, concluding with a humorous aside on real-life namesakes of his famous characters. A pho...
The letter contains a printed statement about The Lord of the Rings and a typed paragraph stating that he is "working on a new book which I hope will te...
Tolkien informs Rayner that by way of looking at the "Scunthorpe lists" he has also continued work on The Silmarillion, and can say that it is in an act...
Tolkien tells Rayner that he is getting to his work on the translations of Sir Gawain and Pearl, in addition to The Silmarillion, however the arrival of...
Tolkien asks Rayner's thoughts on publishing small or minor bits having to do with the Ring Cycle. He says that he is being asked for these, and that th...
Tolkien's letter, of which an extract is published in Triode 18 (May 1960) deals with the possibility of a film of The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien says t...
Tolkien tells Jane Neave that he will send her "a long instalment" for reference.
In this letter to his friend, Heinrich Wolfgang Donner, Tolkien says he is disaproving of the Swedish translation cover art for The Fellowship of the Ri...
Tolkien's publishing commitments are catching up with him. Chronology reproduced a slightly longer selection of the letter than what appears in Letters....
Letter concerns various points in The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion.
Puffin Books, via Margaret S. Clark, had requested the rights to publish a paperback edition of The Hobbit on 30 November. After hearing of this from Ra...
Writing to L.W. Forster, Tolkien states that The Lord of the Rings was not influenced by the two World Wars, except for the landscape. Tolkien also writ...
Christopher Fettes had written to Tolkien asking why he referred to both Tom Bombadil and Treebeard as the "oldest beings in Middle-earth". In Tolkien's...
A series of letters found at the University of Reading GA&U archives. Consisting of 144 items. Not all of these letters are concerned with Tolkien but s...
A series of letters found at the University of Reading GA&U archives. Consisting of 172 items, not all of which concern Tolkien. Among the subjects disc...
Of this letter, a large portion was published as Letter #227 in The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien. In the opening portion of this letter to Madam Ossendrijv...
Tolkien writes about including the Appendices of The Lord of the Rings in translations. Quoted selections from the letter appear in Chronology that are ...
Tolkien’s commentary on Åke Ohlmarks’ introduction to the Swedish translation of The Lord of the Rings.
Answering various questions about The Lord of the Rings. A photocopy of original letter with a complete transcript is held at the Marquette archives.
Writing to Mr. Gilmore, Tolkien explains that there will not be a sequel to The Lord of the Rings, with observations on the end of stories and that the ...
Rayner Unwin writes to Tolkien with news that Miss Pamela Chandler wants to photograph him. He impresses upon Tolkien that they could use the photograph...
C.S. Lewis is surprised that Father Dominic thinks The Lord of the Rings "has not caught on".
Tolkien corrects a mistake in Mr. Ridley's Elvish and congratulates him on his use of the language. This letter, with others, was made available for auc...
Tolkien writes to his Aunt Jane about publishing Tom Bombadil.
Tolkien suggests a book about Tom Bombadil as "an interim amusement" that wouldn't cost too much. He suggests Pauline Baynes as illustrator.
Rayner suggests that Tolkien include additional poems with 'Tom Bombadil' not just from The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.
Tolkien talks about his pre-WWI trip to the Alps.
Tolkien thanks Mr. Barnetson for his letter, He does not consider the book to be based on "German or Icelandic folklore" but says it has a northern air ...
Tolkien has been asked to provide more poems to go with 'Tom Bombadil' as the book is too small according to GA&U. He notes that he believed a small vol...
Allen & Unwin agree to publish The Adventures of Tom Bombadil.
Rayner tells Tolkien that he has sent the Tom Bombadil poems to Pauline Baynes to get her thoughts.
Tolkien sends some poems that he is considering for The Adventures of Tom Bombadil. A lecture he gave on fairy stories at St Andrews consolidated his vi...
Tolkien notes the evolution of the The Adventure's of Tom Bombadil,
Pauline Baynes, who had illustrated Farmer Giles of Ham, had expressed herself willing to provide pictures for The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, and had b...
Tolkien replied to Christopher Howard, and talked about The Hobbit, reading The Lord of the Rings, and suggests that he can borrow it from a public libr...
Tolkien replies to Perry explaining his delay as be is not able to remember addresses and that his papers are not in order. Tolkien goes on to discuss h...
Tolkien has read the Puffin Hobbit and was not impressed with changes made to the book. Chronology contains additional quoted material beyond what appea...
Rayner Unwin sends Tolkien a specimen page for The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, and estimates the book would be a total of 64 pages.
Tolkien writes to Corr Blok about Blok's Exhibition of his paintings and offers to buy two of them, "The Battle of the Hornburg" and "The Dead Marshes".
Tolkien submits additional poems for possible inclusion in the 'Tom Bombadil' book - 'Firiel', 'The Trees of Kortirion', 'Shadow-Bride' and 'Knocking at...
Tolkien writes to Mr Buiter to inform him of the Puffin Hobbit's publication.
Tolkien writes in reply to a letter asking for details of what Tolkien is writing. He apologises for the short delay as he is busy writing what Mr. Sutt...
A reading committee report to the Mondadori headquarters speaks negatively of the Lord of the Rings. The reader described the book as "banal... and cumb...
Tolkien discusses progress with The Adventures of Tom Bombadil. Chronology contains additional material quoted beyond what appears in Letters. The origi...
Tolkien writes expressing his sorrow at his delay in replying. He pleads be excused as he is still "very busy and have little time to spare if I am ever...
GA&U write to the Italian publisher Arnoldo Mondadori Editore on the subject of publishing the Italian translation of The Lord of the Rings. Given are d...
Mondadori write to Alina Dedlez at GA&U thanking her for the copies sent of the Lord of the Rings and asks for details of what option they intend to gra...
In reply to a letter to GA&U, they reply that holding onto the books is fine. They ask that a decision be made within two months but that if more time i...
Tolkien notes his admiration of Baynes working practices and laments his own. He again asks for Baynes to work on the book and hopes for a visit. He con...
Writing to his aunt, Jane Neave, and in a newly published portion of this letter Tolkien says that fan mail keeps arriving, some of it is interesting an...
Writing to Alina Dadlez, Tolkien explains his displeasure at the Spanish translation of 'Hobbit' and remarks back to the "private fancies" of the transl...
Tolkien informs Rayner Unwin that he is now "in residence" until 2 October and will return on 10 October as he is once again involved in term. He is sta...
Pauline Baynes, who was illustrating The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, pointed out that the typescript of the title poem described Tom as wearing a peacoc...
Cin Calabi of Arnoldo Mondadori writes to George Allen & Unwin asking if they could have more time to consider The Lord of the Rings as holidays, etc ha...
In reply to a request for more time to consider the Lord of the Rings, Alina Dadlez replies that the end of September will be fine and asks if they may ...
Tolkien writes about his lecture 'English and Welsh' and about 'Leaf by Niggle'.
Tolkien writes explaining that "I prefer hobitos since it preserves to the eye more relationship to the original word. I do not much mind the h being 'm...
An internal memo noting that they are considering once again the Lord of the Rings after having turned it down in 1955. Various translations are noted, ...
This internal letter forms the basis of the letter which will be sent to Stanley Unwin declining the invitation to translate and publish the Lord of the...
An internal note about the possibility of publishing the Lord of the Rings. Details various mentions from other letters about the success of the book, t...
Mario Mattolini sends this internal letter making the decision to not move forward with the Lord of the Rings.
Writing to Stanley Unwin, Cin Calabi of the Italian publisher Arnoldo Mondadori Editore, gives Stanley Unwin the news that the publisher is declining th...
Tolkien says that as Rayner knows, The Adventures of Tom Bombadil began, with his Aunt Jane. he asks that a complimentary copy be sent to her and charge...
Tolkien sends a short letter with his pleasure that Mr. Sheppard enjoys his writing.
Tolkien discusses The Adventures of Tom Bombadil and a printing from 'an "organization" - similiar to the Reprint Society' of The Lord of the Rings. Thi...
The Adventures of Tom Bombadil was published on 22 November. Additional quotes and context appear in Chronology than what is in Letters. The original le...
A fragment at the top of which Tolkien has written: ‘Comments on a criticism (now lost?) concerning Faramir & Eowyn (c. 1963).’
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.
Tolkien is 'deep in snow'
Tolkien writes to Miss Allen and notes that the Mewlips of his poem are mere legend, and that although the Hobbits are treated in his work as 'historica...
Tolkien writes to Julie Cape thanking her for her letter of appreciation. She has enjoyed The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings and Tolkien hopes that sh...
Tolkien writes to Mrs Gill, thanking her for her letter. He is pleased she has enjoyed his books. He is amazed that she waited patiently for two years t...
In this letter, a reply to the Kloos's letter from March, Tolkien writes about his inspirations for The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. It was started...
Answers to the following questions: (1) In the ‘English runes’ used for Anglo-Saxon inscriptions, the rune does not stand for G as it does in The Lo...
Tolkien writes about The Lord of the Rings, comparisons to The Hobbit, some discussion of the material being worked on for The Silmarillion, and a lengt...
Tolkien answers questions about The Lord of the Rings, especially regarding the failure of Frodo. Marquette archives have a partial transcript along wit...
Tolkien opens this letter stating that an earlier reply was delayed by ill-health and pressures of work. He cannot answer questions sent by her son, say...
Justin Arundale, a young fan of The Lord of the Rings, writes to Tolkien asking if he has any information of when The Silmarillion will be published. To...
Howard McCord was a creative writing professor at Washington State University when he wrote a letter to Tolkien. He compliments Tolkien on The Fellowshi...
Tolkien opens this letter by apologising for his delay in replying to a letter from September, and that his secretary had typed up a note but he felt a ...
Tolkien writes a short note to Mr. Hepworth, the father of Jonathan who had sent Tolkien a drawing of Mordor. He thanks Mr. Hepworth for his letter and ...
It had been agreed that the new paperback (see no. 248) should be given the title Tree and Leaf. Rayner Unwin asked if Tolkien could suggest a suitable ...
Tolkien writes on Christmas Day to Nancy Smith who in the 1950s had prepared an index to the Lord of the Rings. He explains he had retrieved her letter ...
In a footnote in Unfinished Tales, Christopher Tolkien quotes from this otherwise unknown letter discussing confusion around the numbering of Númenorea...
A typed letter of thanks to Mrs A. Mountfield of Eltham Green School, thanking her for sending the letter by one of her class children which gave him gr...
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...
Tolkien replies to Justin Arundale aged ten explaining that the Silmarillion will not be published for some time yet. He closes by asking him to tell hi...
A reply to a sympathetic letter of Professor Przemyslaw Mroczkowski in Kraków. Tolkien hopes that his friend has recovered from an operation, though To...
Tolkien answers a question about what Hal saw on the North Moors - Tolkien does not think it was an Entwife, but likely a troll. He also recommends Heaf...
Eileen Elgar wrote to Tolkien asking for information about The Silmarillion. Included in his reply was a nine page manuscript, with genealogical tree il...
An account of Tolkien’s unfinished story ‘The New Shadow’. Hammond and Scull's Chronology mentions that this letter was started on May 13, but set...
Tolkien thanks Miss Sibley for her letter and "close scrutiny" of his books. He says that any mystery regarding his runes are easily solved: The runes i...
In an earlier letter Tolkien had suggested that James Heaf read his forthcoming book The Silmarillion. He now regrets that The Silmarillion might not be...
In this typed letter with a hand written post script Tolkien discusses the development of The Lord of the Rings saying that Hobbits were not a late addi...
Tolkien wrote that he usually typed letters because of his handwriting (which can be very difficult to read at times). He talks about the invention of h...
Rayner Unwin says that the artwork for the Lord of the Rings have been safely collected, they look marvellous, Rayner will take to Tolkien as soon as ca...
Tolkien discusses the proverb 'third time proves best'.
During 1964 an Aquastroll hydrofoil, which made a trial crossing from Calais to Dover, was given the name Shadowfax (the name of the horse ridden by Gan...
Rayner Unwin of GA&U writing to Pauline Baynes, as "said in my scribbled postscript we all of us are entranced by your design for the box of The Lord of...
Tolkien is pleased that Ward enjoyed the book. He says he is against dramatizations of his works, especially The Lord of the Rings which he feels is too...
Tolkien discusses the serialisation of The Hobbit in The Princess. Tolkien notes that dwarves is used throughout in his book, but it would be ok for thi...
Blyton had asked Tolkien’s permission to compose a Hobbit Overture.
Tolkien replies, thanking Mr. E. Rasdall for his interest in his writing and returns the copy of The Adventures of Tom Bombadil to be signed. Tolkien ex...
Tolkien replies to questions about how the manuscripts of The Lord of the Rings and Mr. Bliss were sold to Marquette University. Quotes are found in SEV...
Joy Hill replies to a letter in which she is described as "his chief scribe". The Silmarillion is not yet ready for publication and no date is known. To...
The writer, Iris Murdoch sends Tolkien a fan-letter to show her appreciation for The Lord of the Rings. Two pages were reproduced in Tolkien: Maker of M...
Tolkien describes what happened to Shadowfax at the end of The Lord of the Rings (he went with Gandalf into the West).
Tolkien says that "the impression" that Sam is older than Frodo is in part due to the impression of their characters based on background and education. ...
Rayner Unwin replies to a letter from Ed Meskys saying the Silmarillion will not be published for many years but that Sir Gawain and Pearl could be publ...
Auden had asked Tolkien if the notion of the Orcs, an entire race that was irredeemably wicked, was not heretical.
Tolkien's secretary replies to fan letter thanking Mr. Eder for his letters and pictures of stained glass windows. He enjoyed seeing them. He also alert...
Tolkien had sent Unwin the typescript of his new story Smith of Wootton Major. It seemed to Unwin to need the companionship of other stories to make a s...
Tolkien writes about revising The Lord of the Rings. Additional quotes from this letter concerning the revising of Sir Gawain are published in Chronolog...
Tolkien discusses revising The Lord of the Rings and the maps. Additional quotes can be found in the Chronology entry for this letter. The original is i...
Tolkien writes to Austin Olney, at Houghton Mifflin, with corrections and additions to The Two Towers.
Tolkien writes to the Librarian at Marquette asking for copies of manuscript materials needed for revising The Lord of the Rings. The original letter wi...
Tolkien apologizes once again for being late in getting work to Rayner, this time revisions on the 3rd edition of The Hobbit. He says that many revision...
Tolkien writes about The Silmarillion, the Númenórean legends, and his friendship with C.S. Lewis. He discusses the formation of the Tolkien Society o...
In August 1965 Ballantine Books produced the first ‘authorized’ American paperback of The Hobbit, without incorporating Tolkien’s revisions to the...
A one-page response to a couple of questions that Plotz had asked. Tolkien translates the poem "A Elbereth Gilthoniel", tells how to pronounce Meriadoc,...
Tolkien replies to a young reader who had asked him about the index for The Lord of the Rings saying that the index is not yet published, but is being w...
Tolkien writes to Rigby acknowledging the theological aspects of The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien says that there is a lot of theology in the work. A desc...
Tolkien writes about a new UK paperback edition of The Hobbit. He comments on replacing the note explaining Bilbo's changed story and the two Thrains wi...
Professor Kilby, of Wheaton College, Illinois, had met Tolkien while visiting Oxford in 1964. He now offered to return to England and help Tolkien in an...
Tolkien writes to explain that the second edition of The Hobbit is different to the original. Charles Calleja gave some insights about the letter and hi...
Tolkien writes making mention of the suggestion that The Lord of the Rings landscape is based on Iceland. Tolkien says that he has never been there, tho...
Tolkien thanks David Hicks for his birthday greetings and says he is "writing more about the world of The Lord of the Rings", when he has the time. He r...
Tolkien writes and expresses his regret at his delayed reply. he had like many at that time been ill with influenza. He encloses two copies of the signe...
Auden told Tolkien that he had agreed to write a short book about him, in collaboration with Peter H. Salus, for a seres entitled Christian Perspectives...
Charles Micthell, husband of folk singer Joni Mitchell wrote to Tolkien asking if he could use two names, Lorien and Strider as names for a publsihing a...
Tolkien sends a letter to his friend George Sayer firstly expressing his sorrow about Sayers wife Moira. She has been very ill of late. He had hoped tha...
Tolkien writes to Swann, mentioning details about recital, press photographs, dinner afterwards, etc. Tolkien has laryngitis.
Tolkien replies to Roger Verhulst's letter about the US paperback rights to Essays Presented to Charles Williams, and he reiterates his objections to a ...
Tolkien writes about his reaction to Auden's comments on his house.
The following is one of many short replies that Tolkien wrote at this period of his life to readers who asked questions about his books. Its characteris...
Secretarial letter to Mr Porthouse wirth mention that Tolkien's next book will be The Silmarillion.
Tolkien thanks Kilby for his visit and apologizes for being busy. On a seperate page, Tolkien includes a three paragraph fragment from the review of an ...
Mrs. Webster was a teacher and she and her pupils put on a performance of some scenes from The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien can not attend, but Clyde S. K...
Tolkien offers advice on finding first editions of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.
Wheeler sends Tolkien a copy of the August edition of RALLY which includes a review of The Lord of the Rings by Jared Lobdell. Noted at regarding the da...
'Tolkien on Tolkien' is the title of an article published in Diplomat (October 1966) without Tolkien's permission. It was edited by an unknown editor fr...
Tolkien discusses his and Edith's Mediterranean cruise and the bust of him at the English Faculty in Oxford. Excerpts from the letter have been publishe...
Tolkien writes about living near the school in his youth. He tells the class that a cheap paperback is available in the US but not currently in the UK. ...
Professor Bauer had written asking Tolkien about Sinclair Lewis's Babbitt. Tolkien wonders if the name had some influence on the invention of 'hobbit'. ...
Tolkien writes to Clyde S. Kilby making mention that he is pleased that Kilby has finally received the correct medication and says that he is yet to con...
Tolkien writes to James S. Marsh and sends him three copies of his autograph to stick in his books.
Tolkien had been sent details of a proposed ‘sequel’ to The Lord of the Rings that a ‘fan’ was going to write himself.
Tolkien sends an inscribed copy of the Japanese Hobbit, it reads "With best wishes to Fr Hugh Maycock and Pusey House | Dec. 14. 1966" Tolkien inserted ...
Tolkien writes to Mr Marsh about his collaboration with Donald Swann for the book The Road goes ever on and on.
Tolkien sends some signatures to Mr Moss. This letter was orginally affixed by tape to the front of a 2nd edition LOTR, but was then removed from the bo...
Joy has sent Tolkien a copy of The Children's Treasury of Literature, which includes a chapter from The Hobbit.
GA&U write to Mario Ubaldini of the publishers, Casa Editrice Agtrolabio-Ubaldini Editore, with details of Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. They give de...
The Plimmers had recently interviewed Tolkien for the Daily Telegraph Magazine, and had now sent him a draft of their article, the finished version of w...
Tolkien writes about his essay "On Fairy Stories" and says that The Lord of the Rings was meant as a large-scale adult fairy story. Quoted in C. N. Manl...
Ubaldini Editore s.r.l have decided to publish The Lord of the Rings in Italian and enquire about the terms.
Writing to Alina Dadlez of GA&U, Mario Ubaldini encloses the signed copy of the contract for the Lord of the Rings. He asks for Tolkien's address so tha...
Tolkien says he has not been informed as to the status of a German translation of The Lord of the Rings. He notes that a "proposed translator was turned...
Tolkien writes to Humphrey to give permission for a play based on The Hobbit.
Tolkien sends background material for The Road Goes Ever On. He includes Galadriel's Lament and Chant written out "in a fair Elvish book-hand, rubricate...
Alina Dadlez of GA&U sends Mario Ubaldini a countersigned copy of the contract for the Italian translation of the Lord of the Rings, noting they have re...
Tolkien writes to W.H. Auden and remarks that he was delighted to receive his letter, noting that it "did much to restore my spirits". He was pleased th...
Alina Dadlez writes to Mario Ubaldini to inform him that she has sent the illustrations by Pauline Baynes in a packaet, seperate to this letter. They ar...
Tolkien writes to British ambassador Oscar Morland thanking him for his typed indexes, and that he will find them very useful when he has time to work o...
In this letter Tolkien replies that he has received David's Tom Bombadil Part 1 in English runes and remarks that it is "very correct". This letter was ...
Rayner writes to Mr Hooton about The Silmarillion. He describes Tolkien as "a perfectionist" and does not expect publication for a few years. He also st...
Replying to a letter from Sister Anne from St. Louis, Tolkien says he has no intention to write a sequel to The Lord of the Rings.
Tolkien writes to Mr Hooton about progress on The Silmarillion, which has been delayed due to the complications presented in the United States from the ...
Tolkien does not like the calligraphy being made by Samuel Hanks Bryant as filler for blank pages in The Road Goes Ever On. Tolkien objects to Swann usi...
This letter from the publisher, Casa Editrice Astrolabio, to their bank instructing them to transfer the advance payment (£225) for their contract with...
Tolkien thanks Rayner for his friendship.
At the top, Tolkien has written: ‘Some reflections in preparing an answer to a letter from one Mr Rang about investigations into my nomenclature. In t...
Alina Dadlez writes to Mario Ubaldini in reply to his request for another copy of The Lord of the Rings. It is also mentioned that if they wish to use P...
Mr. Joukes had written to Tolkien suggesting that he would like to name his daughter Ioreth, to which replies that it means 'old woman' and includes som...
A partial view of this letter was featured on the BBC's Repair Shop broadcast on 25th January 2023 (see reference). In the letter, Tolkien remarks on ru...
Tolkien's Italian publisher writes to Allen & Unwin about publishing Smith of Wootton Major, which they are interested in doing.
Tolkien writes about the origins of the writer's name Honeybourne.
Casa Editrice Astrolabio sends flyers to Caro Venturini asking that they be distributed among their booksellers. He notes that it is upto them to make t...
Tolkien sends Honeybourne a copy of Smith of Wootton Major and makes mention of Elsie's name, Honeybourne. He mentions her "choice of passages" and agre...
Tolkien drafts a reply to a letter from a reader on the subject of Tom Bombadil and Treebeard. He says that Tom Bombadil is best left a mystery. He give...
Tove Hansen, of the Danish publishers of Tolkien's publications writes a letter to Pamela Chandler. She asks for a small selection of photographs so tha...
Leslie Megahey of the BBC writes to Tolkien to thank him for his time over the previous week when he was filmed for the BBC's 'Tolkien in Oxford' film. ...
The BBC made a documentary programme, Tolkien in Oxford, which was filmed in early February and televised on 30 March 1968. Swann, whose musical setting...
Tolkien writes about the Ballantine posters, which he does not like.
Tolkien autographs a copy of The Hobbit for Professor Meyer's son.
Mary Fairburn has sent some of her illustrations for The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien really likes them and thinks they could be in an illustrated version...
On April 11, Colin Smythe wrote back to Tolkien, saying he will look for Winter's Tales For Children but hopes Tolkien could provide a new poem, and als...
Tolkien writes to Ingrid who lives at Spire Hollin. he gives her news of his health, he is recovering after breaking his leg in a fall down his stairs. ...
Tolkien receives a letter from Lynda Johnson Robb (from the White House) asking if he would possible be able to sign her book (The Hobbit). Robb had tak...
A short note giving details of a radio slot to publicise the Lord of the Rings which included an attachment with the review as read on radio. This revie...
Tolkien writes to his secretary Joy Hill, addressing her as "Joy" for the first time here, previously using "Miss Hill". He is injured and staying at th...
A letter to Mary Fairburn about her illustrations for The Lord of the Rings - he has not yet shown her drawings to Rayner Unwin. He doesn't think an ill...
Tolkien writes to Michael about his trip to Switzerland and writes about his own trip in 1911. He also talks about 'trends' in the Catholic Church and h...
Tolkien writes about his languages and talks about Westron or the Common Speech.
Letter to Mary Fairburn declining acquiring all of her pictures as he does not have wall space to hang them, but he is interested in her Mirror of Galad...
A secretarial letter with a PS from Tolkien who explains that he is too busy writing The Silmarillion to answer questions.
Writing to son Michael, Tolkien says he hopes he is doing better and has recovered from overwork. He says that he and Edith spent Christmas with daughte...
Tolkien discusses the literary genres that he uses and his Atlantis complex.
Tolkien replies to a letter from Amy Ronald. He explains his names and the different ways that family and friends address him.
Tolkien sends some autographs for the McCall children to put in their books.
Writing to a fan, who published a review of The Hobbit, Tolkien responds by saying that he enjoyed the review, and is sending him a little book but not ...
Tolkien replies 13 years after Michael Bell had written to him. Bell had enclosed a book, An Idea to Win the World by Peter Harold. Tolkien explains tha...
Tolkien's secretary, Joy Hill, returns Brian Sibley's copy of The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, which Tolkien has signed and hand-corrected one of the poems.
Joy Hill writes to Michael Bell on behalf of Tolkien. She thanks him for his letter. She says that Tolkien is currently very busy and asks Mr. Bell's fo...
Tolkien was delighted that his letter arrived safely and "so quickly", see #TCGLetter1172. This reply followed one from Joy Hill (#TCGLetter1175) where ...
On March 7, Smythe wrote that he understands Tolkien's inability to contribute a poem, but Smythe would rather see The Silmarillion be published in any ...
Tolkien offers profuse thanks for her gift of five bottles. He says that his health and his wife Edith's are not good. They are looking forward to Sprin...
Christopher writes to Mr Lobdell about his questions concerning his father. Did Christopher influence the Lord of the Rings? Is the dwarves' language as...
Rayner Unwin of GA&U writes to Pauline Baynes. The poster of the map of Middle-earth in The Lord of the Rings has had enormous success. Allen & Unwin wo...
Tolkien writes to an unknown recipient, offering opinions on an adaptation of The Lord of the Rings. He thinks nothing could satisfy an attentive reader...
Tolkien writes about Cynewulf and Glanduin.
Tolkien signs the dust-jacket of The Hobbit for Mr Burrows. Sold for £1300 at Bloomsbury Auctions Sale 614, 24th May 2007. Auction listing included a f...
Tolkien writing to Pauline Baynes returns a photocopy of the Middle-earth map, with comments. The spelling Enedwaith is correct. He also apologizes for ...
GA&U Press Release: "George Allen & Unwin Ltd are pleased to announce the sale of the film and certain allied rights in J.R.R. Tolkien's famous book THE...
Tolkien discusses his love of botany.
Tolkien wishes he had an 'elven' grammar and vocabulary.
This letter was published in the letter column of the January 1970 issue (Volume Two, Number One) of Carandaith, the journal of the Australian Tolkien S...
Tolkien discusses his problems with progressing with the Silmarillion. An additional portion of the letter has been quoted on Michael Tolkien's website.
Ernest Shepard was asked to illustrate The Lord of the Rings, but declines, as he has not read the book. He recommends a fellow illustrator in his place...
Tolkien writes to Mr Wood and sends three copies of his signature on cards, stating that he should keep one for himself.
This letter was the third in a series of letters sold at Christie's but no details beyond those record in #TCGLetter700 and #TCGLetter726 are known.
Rayner Unwin to Pauline Baynes writes that A Map of Middle-earth is selling well, and they already plan a reprint. They are now thinking of a poster map...
Tolkien discusses an O.E.D. dictionary definition of Hobbit.
Rayner Unwin to Pauline Baynes says that GA&U are very happy to commission the Hobbit map, entitled There and Back Again] as soon as she can fit it in, ...
Rayner Unwin comments that they are delighted that Baynes will do the Hobbit map entitled 'There and Back Again'. There is no urgency and a few months d...
Tolkien writes to Roger about his thoughts on the origin of the word Hobbit.
Tolkien discusses Galadriel. He notes that he owes much of her character to Catholocism and Christian teachings.
Tolkien describes the Caverns of Helm's Deep as being influenced by Cheddar Gorge.
Tolkien is very busy working on the Silmarillion but is very glad that his books have brought Davison enjoyment.
Tolkien writes about progress on the Silmarillion.
Tolkien sends a standard form reply to Mr. Trimmer, apologising for not being able to write anything personal as he is working on The Silmarillion. This...
Among the subjects included in this letter to his cousin, Dorothy Wood, Tolkien has asked Allen & Unwin to send her a copy of the India paper edition of...
Tolkien writes about about the use of the name ‘Gamgee’ in The Lord of the Rings, and whether the name ‘Gondor’ had been suggested by Gondar in ...
Tolkien apologises for not sending a personal reply and explains that he is to busy with the Silmarillion to answer personal questions.
Joy Hill tries to dissuade a student from writing his thesis about The Lord of the Rings due to the immense amount of unpublished material he doesn't ha...
Tolkien writes about Aman and what happens to mortals, such as Frodo, when they go there. In a portion published in the C.S. Lewis Biography by Green To...
Tolkien thanks Mr Mackay for a chart and information that he sent him about Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
Rayner Unwin has sent via Joy Hill blowups from the The Lord of the Rings of area the There and Back Again map would need to cover. It has much some det...
Tolkien talks about The Lord of the Rings and confesses that he feels it no longer belongs to him.
Rayner Unwin notes that GA&U are delighted with There and Back Again map and that Tolkien is unqualified in his praise. ‘He loved your visit . . . des...
Tolkien shares his views on author's biographies.
Tolkien writes to Michael about how little time he has to work on The Silmarillion and about any prospects of feature films, he believes that no films w...
Tolkien discusses Hobbits and mentions that he will be in an upcoming edition of The Sunday Times. Broadmoor Hospital is a high-security psychiatric hos...
Tolkien writes to Suzanne Eward stating his love of the "West Midlands". He will certainly donate copies of his work to the Gloucester Cathedral Library...
Tolkien sends a typed letter dated 5 May 1972, stating that he had ordered from publishers Allen & Unwin the three volumes of Lord of the Rings and The ...
Tolkien explains that he does not have time to comment on his works.
Tolkien discusses the question, did the Ents ever find the Entwives?
Tolkien writes to the Daily Telegraph newspaper about an editorial which they published on the 29th June 1972. He objects to having his name used as an ...
Tolkien writes to Christopher about Edith, her headstone, his thoughts of her as Lúthien and a visit to GA&U's headquarters.
Tolkien's desk where he wrote parts of The Lord of the Rings and entirety of The Hobbit, so said by Tolkien himself. A photocopy of the letter with a co...
Tolkien is asked about Elvish names for bulls and herds of cattle.
Tolkien describes his use for a drinking goblet sent to him, inscribed with the One Ring inscription. Published (in part) as letter 343 from The Letters...
Tolkien talks about numerals in The Lord of the Rings. A photocopy with a complete transcript is held at the Marquette archives.
Tolkien declines to discuss C.S. Lewis and states that he is still trying to work on The Silmarillion.
A continuation of #Letter342, where Tolkien continues to discuss naming animals.
Tolkien expounds upon Gandalf's statement "He that breaks a thing to find out what it is have left the path of wisdom" when responding to someones "dest...
A reply to the following questions: (1) Does ‘Speak, friend, and enter’ (the inscription over Moria Gate) mean ‘Speak as a friend’, i.e. in a fr...
Tolkien details his thoughts on a recent article about him in a paper, and what he thought should have been written about. He then tells the respondent ...
Joy Hill responds to a fan query about The Silmarillion, saying that for death duty (tax) reasons, it cannot be published while he is alive.
Tolkien's secretary writing on behalf of Tolkien, sats that he is very busy and cannot write letters currently.
Tolkien writes about a cutting in the Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter and his influence by the American fantasy writer James Branch Cabell.
Tolkien writes, thanking Lanier for the book The War for the Lot by Lanier himself. Tolkien says that he found it quite original, and frightening. Tolki...
Tolkien responds an enquiry about Galadriel.
Tolkien writes to a reader giving an update on his next book, The Silmarillion "which is already written but in need of revision".
Reply of thanks. Mention of The Silmarillion being "far from complete".
Tolkien sends a postcard accepting a request to sign a copy of The Lord of the Rings even though he has told everyone that he will not do this.
Tolkien is pleased that The Hobbit is being translated into Icelandic.
Tolkien sends Canon Power a signature with a copy of a publication. He mentions his childhood, growing up in Birmingham, and J. H. Shorthouse's book Joh...
Tolkien was awarded an honorary degree from the University of Edinburgh. Tolkien writes to Doctor Campbell about how much he enjoyed his visit to Edinbu...
Tolkien writes about his current views on Galadriel which changed frequently through out his life.
Christopher agrees to produce a new version of Notes on Nomenclature and for Lobdell to publish them in his book A Tolkien Compass.
Christopher Tolkien replies to Francisco Perrúa, the Spanish translator of his fathers work, 6 months after he received a letter from him about his wor...
Christopher Tolkien replies to Perrúa who had written to tell him that he had handed over the work of Las Dos Toores to Senora Matilde Horne. Christoph...
Rayner Unwin thanks Bernie Zuber and the membership of the World Science Fiction Convention for awarding J.R.R. Tolkien with the "Gandalf Award" in 1977...
Pauline Baynes replies to a reader and says she will be delighted to sign the "Map of Narnia" for them. She mentions that it was she who suggested the m...
Christopher Tolkien writes to Marquette University regarding his fathers manuscripts saying that "clearly, the integration of the two sets of papers wil...
Christopher Tolkien discusses a detail in a letter from Mr. Livesey saying that "The difficulty with the explanantion you propose is that following the ...
Letter Tags
Stats
Guide to Tolkien's Letters
Middle-earth
(635 letters match)1933
4 February 1933
C.S. Lewis to Arthur Greeves
#1769
Writing to his friend, Arthur Greaves, Lewis mentions among other matters, that he has been reading "a delightful... children's story Tolkien has just w...
1936
?Early 1936 (?sometime between January and April)
George Allen & Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1805
Tolkien is asked by GA&U if he wishes to working on a revision to John R. Clark Hall's Modern English transaltion of Beowulf and The Fight at Finnesburg...
30 March 1936
C.A. Furth (GA&U) to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1809
C. A. Furth writes to Tolkien on the matter of the Clark-Hall edition of Beowulf. GA&U are keen for Tolkien to edit a new edition, or suggest a likely c...
10 August 1936
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1367
Carpenter #8b
Writing to, Christopher, Tolkien says he misses his son but that he is glad Christopher’s little holiday has begun with fine weather. He discusses the...
3 October 1936 (received 5 October)
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin
#1832
Tolkien sends the completed typescipt for the Hobbit and one illustration, likely one of his maps. Allen and Unwin will receive them two days later on 5...
5 October 1936
Stanley Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1833
Stanley Unwin writes to Tolkien to acknowledge receipt of the typescripts for the Hobbit. He also asks Tolkien to see his translation of Pearl, which th...
30 October 1936
Rayner Unwin to Sir Stanley Unwin
#1176
Sir Stanley Unwin's son Rayner was paid to write a review of a book that was being considered for publication, The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
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 ...
4 December 1936
Susan Dagnall to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1840
Further to her visit to see Tolkien, Susan Dagnall sends Tolkien a revised specimen page of The Hobbit and asks him to write a short blurb for GA&U to u...
8 December 1936
J.R.R. Tolkien to Susan Dagnall
#1841
Tolkien replies to Susan Dagnall's letter. He includes the blurb for publicity on the Hobbit. He does not like the star ornament at the beginning of the...
10 December 1936
Susan Dagnall to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1842
Susan Dagnall writes again to Tolkien on the matter of the Hobbit. His maps will require redrawing as there are too many colours. She suggests red and b...
1937
4 January 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Susan Dagnall
#9
Carpenter #9
Tolkien details work he has recently completed on maps for The Hobbit, as well as other suggestions. Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull note that ther...
7 January 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to George Allen & Unwin
#1844
Tolkien returns a slip to GA&U, likely the publicity piece for The Hobbit.
7 January 1937
C.A. Furth (GA&U) to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1845
C. A. Furth of GA&U writes to Tolkien on matters of his illustrations for The Hobbit. His drawings are admirable and blocks for them are being produced....
17 January 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth
#10
Carpenter #10
Tolkien discusses the details of, and placement within the text, some of his illustrations in The Hobbit, as well as potential changes to his illustrati...
5 February 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Susan Dagnall
#11
Carpenter #11
Tolkien replies to Susan Dagnall of GA&U on matters of the reproductions of some of his illustrations in The Hobbit. In the 2023 revised edition of Lett...
24 February 1937
George Allen & Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1852
GA&U sends to Tolkien the remaining proofs of The Hobbit and ask that he restricts any corrections to those unavoidable. They further ask that he try to...
24 February 1937
C.A. Furth (GA&U) to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1851
C. A. Furth of GA&U writes to Tolkien to inform him that the 'fine lines' in The Trolls illustration have broken when reproduced, but that there is no r...
?10 March 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth
#1370
Carpenter #11b
Tolkien writes to C. A. Furth of GA&U acknowledging the two drawings which were “safely received”, he has placed them in the correct positions among...
?10 March 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to George Allen & Unwin
#1854
Tolkien returns to GA&U the remaining proofs, end-papers, and suggestions for them of The Hobbit.
23 March 1937
C.A. Furth (GA&U) to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1855
Replying to Tolkien's letter, Furth confirms that Tolkien will receive proofs of the corrected portions for The Hobbit. Tolkien is warned that the corre...
30 March 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth
#1866
Writing to C. A. Furth of GA&U, Tolkien hopes that the proofs for The Hobbit will arrive with him during his vacation. He also notes that he will attemp...
31 March 1937
C.A. Furth (GA&U) to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1867
In reply to Tolkien's letter, C.A. Furth writes to say that the printers have decided to revise the whole of The Hobbit. Tolkien should receive some of ...
13 April 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.
#12
Carpenter #12
Concerning Tolkien's corrections to the text of The Hobbit, the cost of those corrections, and who would incur that cost, as well as details of his subm...
15 April 1937
C.A. Furth (GA&U) to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1870
C.A. Furth writes to Tolkien. He makes mention that the margins around the Hobbit illustrations will be adjusted before the final printing and apologize...
25 April 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Charles Furth
#137
Tolkien writes back to Furth in regards to the dustjacket design for The Hobbit. Furth wrote on April 15th that the pink hue that Tolkien put on the mou...
28 April 1937
C.A. Furth (GA&U) to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1871
Furth writes to Tolkien to say that the red will have to be removed from The Hobbit jacket and the sun will have an outline to highlight it. This letter...
13 May 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth
#13
Carpenter #13
This two-page handwritten letter contains some of Tolkien's thoughts on the potential publication of The Hobbit in the USA. Tolkien can make illustratio...
14 May 1937
C.A. Furth (GA&U) to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1873
In reply to Tolkien's letter asking about the US publisher interested in The Hobbit, C. A. Furth gives details. It is the Houghton Mifflin Company (HMC)...
28 May 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.
#14
Carpenter #14
In this three-page handwritten letter, Tolkien writes to his publisher about the release date for The Hobbit, going on at length about how it would be b...
28 May 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin
#475
Tolkien, writing to GA&U approves the dust-jacket for The Hobbit but feels the sun would be better with a finer outline. He prefers the green binding an...
31 May 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Lionel Salt
#80
Tolkien writes to Lionel Salt, the Bursar at Pembroke College, University of Cambridge to apologise that he must miss a play as Christopher, his son was...
1 June 1937
C.A. Furth (GA&U) to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1919
Writing to Tolkien, C. A. Furth of GA&U asks him to return the approved binding for The Hobbit. He agrees that the 'wavy line' will be removed, but says...
8 July 1937
C.A. Furth (GA&U) to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1944
C. A. writes, informing Tolkien that GA&U will send him a new binding for The Hobbit. It will have have different lettering without the lines under the ...
?9 July 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth
#1945
Tolkien writes to Furth of GA&U. He agrees that the revised binding would do. He had hoped that the 'wavy line' would be transformed into something and ...
?22 July 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to George Allen & Unwin
#1946
Tolkien writes to GA&U and encloses the most recent photograph of himself as requested by Susan Dagnall. By letter or in person? He asks them again abou...
31 August 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth (Allen & Unwin)
#15
Carpenter #15
Tolkien sends the last two colour drawings for the American edition of The Hobbit and asks GA&U to send it on to Houghton Mifflin. he also asks about a ...
5-7 September 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth (of George Allen and Unwin)
#81
Writing to C.A. Furth, and apologizes for his lengthy letter regarding the dustcover blurb. Tolkien believes he is still waiting on five copies of The H...
17 September 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth
#1333
Tolkien writes to C.A. Furth of GA&U. He needs five outstanding author's copies and seven copies for giving to a few people who cannot buy a of The Hobb...
17 September 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#1372
Carpenter #15a
Tolkien, writing to Stanley Unwin, apologizes for sounding ungrateful to him. Unwin had sent Tolkien a much welcomed cheque. He hopes that the Hobbit ea...
21 September 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Simonne d'Ardenne
#82
A short note enclosed with a copy of The Hobbit which was published on the same day. It was sent to Simonne d'Ardenne as a gift. This letter is held amo...
22 September 1937 (unsent)
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jane Neave
#112
Tolkien wrote to his Aunt, Jane Neave enclosing a signed copy of The Hobbit. This letter and the book were described with some short quotes and an image...
2 October 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1373
Carpenter #15b
Writing to his son Christopher, Tolkien says how delighted he is to have received his letter, although he doesn't expect them. He, Edith, and Priscilla ...
15 October 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#19
Carpenter #17
Tolkien was pleased that The Hobbit was being well received, though he knows that the two glowing, unsigned reviews in The Times and the Times Literary ...
23 October 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#21
Carpenter #18
Originally published as just a fragment of a thank you letter to Stanley Unwin who had written that Tolkien was "one of those rare people with genius." ...
28 October 1937
Stanley Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2097
Writing to Tolkien, Stanley Unwin suggests 17 November for their next meeting. Tolkien had written earlier that day suggesting other dates but writes an...
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...
13 December 1937
Arthur Ransome to J.R.R. Tolkien
#106
Arthur Ransome, best known for his Swallows and Amazons series of childrens books wrote to Tolkien in 1937 after The Hobbit had been published, firstly ...
14 December 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Geoffrey E. Selby
#84
Tolkien apologizes for the delay in replying to Selby's November letter due to his poor health. He remarks that he prefers his own mythology which The H...
15 December 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Arthur Ransome
#105
Replying to Arthur Ransome's letter of 13th December Tolkien opens with exclamations of honour at receiving a letter from Ransome. Tolkien apologizes fo...
15 December 1937
Stanley Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1109
Stanley writes to Tolkien with news that the first edition of The Hobbit has sold and a new printing will be issued almost immediately. He notes that To...
16 December 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#22
Carpenter #19
Tolkien has received a letter from Arthur Ransome, who wonders about the use of the word "man" in The Hobbit, as well as a few other letters from reader...
17 December 1937
Arthur Ransome to J.R.R. Tolkien
#890
Arthur Ransome writes to Tolkien with further thoughts about The Hobbit. He says that he had recently had an operation and the book had turned that time...
19 December 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth
#23
Carpenter #20
"I have written the first chapter of a new story about Hobbits – 'A long expected party'" remarks Tolkien in this letter to C.A. Furth of GA&U. This i...
1938
18 January 1938
G.H. White to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2024
A reader had written to the Observer newspaper asking various questions on The Hobbit and Beowulf. White sends a clipping of that letter to Tolkien and ...
1 February 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth (Allen & Unwin Ltd.)
#24
Carpenter #21
Originally published as just a fragment of a letter, asking if Rayner Unwin was interested to read the "sequel to The Hobbit". In the revised 2023 editi...
4 February 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth
#25
Carpenter #22
Tolkien sends to his publisher, the first chapter of a new book, the sequel to The Hobbit. ‘A Long-expected Party’, the first chapter of this book, ...
11th February 1938
Stanley Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1988
Stanley Unwin writes that his son Rayner is delighted with the sample chapter from the new book about hobbits. Rayner does wonder if a child who hasn't ...
17 February 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin
#589
Tolkien informs his publisher that Houghton Mifflin are yet to return to him the five orginal watercolour paintings for The Hobbit.
18 February 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#27
Carpenter #24
In this two page handwritten letter, Tolkien thanks Unwin's son Rayner for his positive feedback on the first chapter of the new book, "A Long-Expected ...
20 February 1938*
J.R.R. Tolkien to Editor of the Observer
#28
Carpenter #25
Tolkien responds to a request, likely from a researcher or enthusiast, regarding the origins and inspirations behind his work, particularly The Hobbit. ...
4 March 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#30
Carpenter #26
Tolkien writes to Stanley Unwin about C.S. Lewis's Out of the Silent Planet and gives him an update on progress with the sequel to The Hobbit. He also m...
12 March 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to Houghton Mifflin Co.
#31
Carpenter #27
Tolkien expresses reluctance to create drawings of hobbits and suggests leaving such tasks to someone with artistic skills. He provides a description of...
3 May 1938
Rayner Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1990
Rayner "scribbles" a book report on the first three chapters of the Hobbit sequel. His father Stanley sends this review to Tolkien along with a cover le...
June 4th 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#32
Carpenter #28
Tolkien thanks Stanley Unwin for the excellent news from America, where The Hobbit is selling well and it has won a prize of $250. Rayner's review of th...
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...
25 July 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#33
Carpenter #29
Tolkien wrote to Stanley Unwin in response to a letter from a German publisher, Rütten & Loening Verlag. They wanted to publish a German translation of...
25 July 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rütten & Loening Verlag
#34
Carpenter #30
Rütten & Loening Verlag, the German publisher enquired about publishing a German translation of The Hobbit. As part of their conditions they wanted to ...
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...
13 October 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#38
Carpenter #34
In this letter to Stanley Unwin, J.R.R. Tolkien discusses his recent intense work on a sequel to The Hobbit, which has reached Chapter XI. He expresses ...
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...
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...
1941
2 January 1941
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien
#56
Carpenter #41
After addressing overdue correspondence, Tolkien mentions resuming work on his sequel to The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, but anticipates the impendin...
1 February 1941
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1380
Carpenter #42b
Writing to Christopher, Tolkien remarks on the work of typing up "Hobbit" and how Edith and Priscilla are getting along. He then promises to write more.
1942
15 March 1942
J.R.R. Tolkien to John Kettle
#116
Tolkien notes his pleasure at receiveing letters from readers. He mentions his mythology and remarks that he has nearly finished a second book on hobbit...
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...
1943
3 August 1943
J.R.R. Tolkien to Leila Keene and Pat Kirke
#119
Tolkien wrote this long letter to two schoolgirls, Leila Keane and Patricia Kirke who were both very enthusiastic about hobbits, in reply to their quest...
8 September 1943
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1385
Carpenter #49c
Christopher had apparently been having a bad week, and Tolkien writes with his sympathies. He says to not spend “precious time” on letter writing, t...
1944
Before March 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1523
No details of this letter are known except for the note in #TCGLetter1033 that says Tolkien now knows that Christopher had received the "fotobriefs" in ...
30 March 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#91
Carpenter #57
Tolkien had an outing, seeing the two Lewis brothers and having lunch with C.S. Lewis. During the meeting, Lewis read part of a new story.
3 April 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#92
Carpenter #58
Tolkien recounts recent events, including a cycle ride to Pembroke, a train journey to Birmingham, and a visit to his hometown. During the train journey...
5 April 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#93
Carpenter #59
Tolkien shares his commitment to completing The Lord of the Rings, expressing the challenges of re-reading and researching while working on the adventur...
8 April 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1033
Carpenter #59a
Tolkien writes to Christopher and mentions him sitting in his garden on a beautiful night around 2 a.m. Tolkien had struggled that day with a chapter an...
13 April 1944 (continued on 15 April)
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#94
Carpenter #60
Tolkien expresses gratitude for a recently received airletter, shares updates about writing progress on The Lord of the Rings and mentions spending time...
18 April 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#95
Carpenter #61
Tolkien expresses joy at receiving a batch of letters and, discusses the distressing but unsurprising uncensored accounts of Christopher's experiences, ...
23 April 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#96
Carpenter #62
Tolkien gives Christopher an update on his progess on The Two Towers, the second book of The Lord of the Rings. He has read the second chapter, "Passage...
24 April 1944 (continued 26 April)
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#97
Carpenter #63
Tolkien had received an airletter from Christopher that morning and he read it while enjoying breakfast in bed. He describes the events of St. George's ...
30 April 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#98
Carpenter #64
Tolkien writes of his longing and concern for Christopher in the midst of war, reflecting on human suffering and the senselessness of conflict. Despite ...
4 May 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#99
Carpenter #65
Having read another chapter to C.S. Lewis, Tolkien is now writing the next, and will send Christopher copies as soon as possible.
6 May 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#100
Carpenter #66
Tolkien responds to Christopher's letters and acknowledges the challenges and frustrations of life in the military camp during the war. He empathizes wi...
11 May 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#101
Carpenter #67
Tolkien completed a fourth new chapter titled 'Faramir,' which received approval from C.S. Lewis and Charles Williams. He notes that he attended church ...
12 May 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#102
Carpenter #68
Tolkien spent a morning writing The Lord of the Rings and is now in sight of Minas Morghul. He has been gardening in the midday heat. he expresses his r...
14 May 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#103
Carpenter #69
Writing to Christopher, Tolkien updates him on his progress writing The Lord of the Rings. He had needed to sort the study, and "attend to business". He...
21 May 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#104
Carpenter #70
Tolkien apologizes for the lapse in correspondence. He gives an update on writing of The Lord of the Rings. He reads for Lewis and Williams and both men...
25 May 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#142
Carpenter #71
Tolkien expresses gratitude for the letters he has received from Christopher and briefly mentions an inclination to envy his time in the hills. Tolkien ...
31 May 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#143
Carpenter #72
Writing to Christopher with an update on recent happenings. He had dinner in college and notes that "the three old gents" were very easy to talk to. Lew...
10 June 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#144
Carpenter #73
Tolkien acknowledges receiving Christopher's air letter and briefly mentions the weather. He provide updates on recent activities, including efforts in ...
22 June 1944
Stanley Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1342
Stanley Unwin writes to Tolkien asking of he could meet his son Rayner who is serving as a Cadet in the Navy at Oxford. He also encloses a cheque for £...
27 June 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1395
Carpenter #73a
Tolkien had gone to bed early, and stayed there for nearly 10 hours, which he says has made him feel “worn out”. He mentions that he had received a ...
29 June 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#145
Carpenter #74
Stanley Unwin had sent Tolkien a large cheque as payment of royalties on The Hobbit, and mentions that Rayner is now at Oxford reading English. Tolkien ...
7 July 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#146
Carpenter #75
Tolkien opens this letter by mentioning that he is writing this letter using his new "midget type" typewriter cartridges. These could be interchanged an...
7 July 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1396
Carpenter #74a
Writing to Christopher, Tolkien gives news of C.S. Lewis and his need for an operation to remove some shrapnel, which he says must have been in his arm ...
28 July 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#165
Carpenter #76
Tolkien discusses the name Sam Gamgee, agreeing with Christopher's opinion and explaining the choice to emphasize the character's comic, peasantry, and ...
31 July 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#166
Carpenter #77
Tolkien reports in a newly published portion that he had received Christopher's airletter of 24 July. He says that his day on Friday was “grim”, as ...
12 August 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#167
Carpenter #78
Tolkien responds to Christopher's letters, encouraging openness about details of his life. He offers support for navigating challenges and express the n...
19 September 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to G.E. Selby
#120
Tolkien sends a postcard with greetings to Selby. He also notes that Priscilla, his daughter, is typing early chapters of The Lord of the Rings, which h...
19 September 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to G.E. Selby
#1397
Carpenter #80a
Tolkien writes to G.E. Selby, a family friend agreeing to act as a referee for his application to a post. In a newly published extract, of this previous...
23-25 September 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#170
Carpenter #81
Tolkien expresses joy at receiving an airgraph before Christopher's departure to Standerton. He discusses the progress of the chapters and promises to s...
30 September 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#171
Carpenter #82
Engaged in revision, Tolkien reflects on the chapter "King of the Golden Hall" and finds it to be rather good with the perspective of time.
12 October 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#173
Carpenter #84
Tolkien has discovered a severe problem in timing for events in The Lord of the Rings, and will require much work to fix. He has sent a copy of Leaf by ...
16 October 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#174
Carpenter #85
The timeline for The Lord of the Rings is giving Tolkien trouble, but with some small changes to the map and a few extra days here and there seem to hav...
25 October 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#176
Carpenter #87
Tolkien sends the last two chapters of the fourth book of The Lord of the Rings, and quotes from a letter he has received from a fan who has read The Ho...
29 October 1944
C.S. Lewis to Charles A. Brady
#1924
Writing to Charles Brady, C. S. Lewis makes mention of Tolkien and his Hobbit books. He mentions that a sequel to the Hobbit will soon be finished. He d...
29 November 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#216
Carpenter #91
Tolkien sends a small consignment of "The Ring," consisting of the last two chapters that have been written and the end of the Fourth Book. The hero is ...
4 December 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1402
Carpenter #91b
Tolkien opens with the news that he has finished his Beowulf lectures . He has neglected academic matters in favour of working out the time-schemes and ...
10 December 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1403
Carpenter #91c
Tolkien has given himself an early Christmas gift in the form of a new pruner for the garden, and gives a humorous description of his cycling to the gar...
24 December 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#218
Carpenter #93
Tolkien expresses joy that Christopher enjoyed the next three chapters of "The Ring" and provides information about the schedule for sending the remaini...
28 December 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#219
Carpenter #94
Tolkien is happy to get so many letters from Christopher, and is very pleased that the third batch of Ring material has gotten to Christopher and that h...
1945
7 January 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1404
Carpenter #94a
Tolkien says he is struggling with letters, many of which he should have written at Christmas. He complains that the weather is bitterly cold and he can...
9 January 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Leila Keane and Patricia Kirke
#572
Tolkien writes to Leila Keane and Patricia Kirke, he discusses his progress with The Lord of the Rings, and the fortunes of his family. The letter was a...
30 January 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#221
Carpenter #96
Tolkien describes some domestic plumbing troubles that prevented him from meeting up with Lewis in the morning, but the eventually managed to make it to...
Undated (circa 18 March 1945)
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#223
Carpenter #98
Tolkien expresses deep concern about Rayner, who is off to war, and mentions that his son Christopher has become great friends with Chris Unwin. One of ...
22 May 1945
Stephen Bone to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2046
Stephen Bone, the writer and painter, writes to Tolkien. He remarks on his children's enjoyment of The Hobbit and asks Tolkien if he would send him a ma...
29 May 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#225
Carpenter #100
Tolkien remarks that he would be comforted if Christopher could be re-commissioned out of the R.A.F. Christopher had recently returned from service. He ...
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...
7 December 1946
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#253
Carpenter #107
Tolkien mentions receiving letters from Horus Engels regarding a German translation, and while Engels doesn't explicitly propose himself as a translator...
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 ...
31 July 1947
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#255
Carpenter #109
Tolkien responded to Rayner Unwin's comments about The Fellowship of the Ring. He talks about allegory as well as other literary illusions. Tolkien ment...
20 September 1947
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.
#256
Carpenter #110
Tolkien provides information about the origin and authorship of the riddles included in their work. He clarifies that most of the riddles are their orig...
21 September 1947
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#257
Carpenter #111
Tolkien apologizes for the delay in responding to a letter sent in July and explains that he has been preoccupied with philology due to academic commitm...
26 September 1947
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jennifer Paxman
#128
Tolkien writes to Jennifer with some advice on an Oxford College, and errors in The Hobbit. A description of the letter appeared in The J.R.R. Tolkien C...
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...
23 November 1947
Stephen Bone to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2047
Following on from his letter in 1945, Bone returns a speciman page from The Lord of the Rings and discusses it. We currently have no record of Tolkien's...
30 November 1947
J.R.R. Tolkien to Katharine Farrer
#140
Carpenter #112
Katharine Farrer had written to Tolkien, in runes, asking if he would sign her copy of The Hobbit. Tolkien replies to her letter in runes. He says that ...
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...
31 March 1948
Hugh Brogan to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2050
In a series of seven letters, a young reader, Hugh Brogan, writes to Tolkien on the matter of his "thirst for more information about Middle-earth" and r...
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...
8 April 1948
Hugh Brogan to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2051
In a series of seven letters, a young reader, Hugh Brogan, writes to Tolkien on the matter of his "thirst for more information about Middle-earth" and r...
15 June [?1948]
J.R.R. Tolkien to Katharine Farrer
#267
Carpenter #115
Tolkien opens this letter with apologies for his delayed reply. He says that he must have appeared ungrateful, but not only was he grateful, he was exci...
31 October 1948
J.R.R. Tolkien to Hugh Brogan
#269
Carpenter #117
Success! declares Tolkien. He has completed The Lord of the Rings and having been read by Rayner Unwin is approved. He does not think it will make any m...
c. early November 1948
Hugh Brogan to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2052
In a series of seven letters, a young reader, Hugh Brogan, writes to Tolkien on the matter of his "thirst for more information about Middle-earth" and r...
11 December 1948
Hugh Brogan to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2053
In a series of seven letters, a young reader, Hugh Brogan, writes to Tolkien on the matter of his "thirst for more information about Middle-earth" and r...
31 December 1948
Hugh Brogan to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2054
In a series of seven letters, a young reader, Hugh Brogan, writes to Tolkien on the matter of his "thirst for more information about Middle-earth" and r...
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.
4 April 1949 (postmark)
Hugh Brogan to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2055
In a series of seven letters, a young reader, Hugh Brogan, writes to Tolkien on the matter of his "thirst for more information about Middle-earth" and r...
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.
27 October 1949
C.S. Lewis to J.R.R. Tolkien
#908
Lewis writes to Tolkien after reading The Lord of the Rings giving Tolkien high praise and feedback. The entire letter is published in volume two of Lew...
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...
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 ...
24 February 1950
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#276
Carpenter #124
Tolkien writes to Stanley Unwin, mentioning various topics but chief among them is The Lord of the Rings. Stranded without a publisher, and the work now...
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...
3 April 1950
Sir Stanley Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1525
Sir Stanley Unwin writes to Tolkien on the matter of how to publish the Lord of the Rings. He does not see a possibility of one volume and gives some fi...
14 April 1950
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#294
Carpenter #127
Relations between Tolkien and Allen & Unwin had begun to become strained as Tolkien felt that A&U were not open to publishing his work as he would have ...
1 August 1950
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.
#295
Carpenter #128
Tolkien was sent proofs for a new edition of The Hobbit and remarks on how The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit are interlinked. He was not expecting hi...
4 September 1950
J.R.R. Tolkien to Hugh Brogan
#1415
Carpenter #128a
Writing to Hugh Brogan, Tolkien notes that he does not know what is happening with The Lord of the Rings which he had hoped would be published this year...
10 September 1950
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#296
Carpenter #129
Tolkien writes about the new revised edition of The Hobbit.
1951
9 May 1951
J.R.R. Tolkien to Henry Bosley Woolf
#40
Touching on poems about dragons, Beowulf, and fellow Inkling C. S. Lewis. This letter to Prof. Henry Bosley Woolf thanks him for sending a copy of a pap...
1951 (late)
J.R.R. Tolkien to Milton Waldman
#152
Carpenter #131
Tolkien wrote this letter to Milton Waldman. Tolkien wanted his publisher, George Allen & Unwin, to publish both The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarill...
1952
22 May 1952
C.S. Lewis to Dear Grittletonians
#1008
C.S. Lewis writes to the 'Grittletonians' recommending Tolkien's The Hobbit.
22 June 1952
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#315
Carpenter #133
Rayner Unwin had written to Tolkien about 'Errantry' and this gave Tolkien an opportunity to see if he could get The Lord of the Rings published by Geor...
7 August 1952
J.R.R. Tolkien to George Sayer
#157
In 1937, at the urging of his publishers, Tolkien began writing "a new Hobbit." Due to his full-time academic position, progress was slow, and he abando...
10 August 1952
J.R.R. Tolkien to Moira Sayer
#158
Tolkien writes a letter to Moira Sayer concerning the second half of The Lord of the Rings. Quotes appear in Christie's 20th Century Books and Manuscrip...
29 August 1952
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#350
Carpenter #134
Tolkien expresses his eagerness to publish The Lord of the Rings as soon as possible. Tolkien plans to spend some days correcting the manuscript at his ...
24 October 1952
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#351
Carpenter #135
Tolkien expresses regret for producing a substantial work like The Lord of the Rings during challenging times. He expresses gratitude for the recipient'...
10 November 1952
Rayner Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1355
Rayner Unwin writing to Tolkien gives him the welcome news that they have decided to publish The Lord of the Rings. They will take the unusual approach ...
12 November 1952
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1419
Carpenter #135a
Tolkien replies to Rayner's letter and mentions his pleasure at the news of Allen & Unwin's decision to publish The Lord of the Rings.
1953
8 March 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to George Sayer
#159
Tolkien has not supplied Sayer with a copy of The Lord of the Rings as yet.
later in March 1953 (see letter dated 8 March)
J.R.R. Tolkien to George Sayer
#160
An undated letter from later in March contains a new plea for help, this time in writing a publicity blurb for The Lord of the Rings.
24 March 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#352
Carpenter #136
Tolkien writes to Rayner Unwin about the challenges he's faced leading up to the contract day for The Lord of the Rings. He is also concerned about Edit...
11 April 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#353
Carpenter #137
Tolkien apologizes for the delay in sending the revised manuscript for The Lord of the Rings. His move was incredibly challenging. Tolkien has finally c...
5 June 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1424
Carpenter #137b
Tolkien asks Rayner Unwin for an update on galleys for The Lord of the Rings. He hopes that there will be little work as the copy was “pretty good”....
5 June 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin
#1425
Carpenter #137c
Tolkien writes to Allen & Unwin asking if there will be opportunity for the book to be reviewed. He wants C.S. Lewis especially to be able to review the...
22 July 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to W.N. Beard
#163
Writing in reply to a letter from Beard (July 16th), Tolkien confirms he has received galleys that were wrongly delivered to his old address at 99 Holyw...
4 August 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#354
Carpenter #138
Tolkien expresses his frustration with the galleys of his work, The Lord of the Rings. He finds the process tedious and mentions that the printed versio...
8 August 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#355
Carpenter #139
Tolkien writes about The Lord of the Rings and he suggests some titles if it is published in three volumes. He was also concerned about whether the publ...
15 August 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Ronald Eames
#180
Eames had written to Tolkien the previous day regarding galleys for The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien replies saying he will return all copies, "if it is l...
17 August 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#356
Carpenter #140
Tolkien expresses gratitude for Rayner's visit. He proposes titles for the volumes of The Lord of the Rings and his rationale behind the titles.
31 August 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to George McDonald(?)
#1079
Letter discussing galleys of Lord of the Rings as well as Tolkien's translation of Sir Gawain. Although he complains about the lack of a tape recorder, ...
31 August 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1428
Carpenter #140a
Tolkien writes, reminding Rayner that he will be in London the following day, he hopes Rayner will have time to lunch with him. He will arrive at Museum...
23 September 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to W.N. Beard
#1430
Carpenter #140c
Tolkien apologizes for his delay in providing comments on the drawings. He does not think them satisfactory. He says that he should have been more caref...
9 October 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.
#369
Carpenter #141
Tolkien expresses frustration and anxiety over the "maps", as he believed they were an essential part of The Lord of the Rings.
19 November 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1432
Carpenter #141b
Tolkien writes to Rayner, he has been struggling with ill-health through the term and only recently has he been able to deal with “many strands” of ...
30 November 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1433
Carpenter #141c
Tolkien will bring his copy of the third volume for GA&U to use for costing but says it is yet to be revised and will need to be returned to him. He hop...
1 December 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1434
Carpenter #141d
Tolkien writing to Rayner says that Volume Two reads “rather well” and notes that the first book contains very few errors. He hopes to arrive at the...
2 December 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Father Robert Murray
#370
Carpenter #142
Robert Murray had offered Tolkien some thought on The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien replied that The Lord of the Rings is a Catholic work, describing it as...
2 December 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Perry
#1088
Writing to Miss Perry, Tolkien discusses the Lord of the Rings, hoping it will be published in the coming year. He has had ill health and has been very ...
10 December 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Katharine Farrer
#1435
Carpenter #142a
Tolkien thanks Katharine Farrer for her “charity” at a time he is suffering illness. He felt that the Sir Gawain broadcast on BBC Radio was not espe...
14 December 1953
George Allen & Unwin Publishers Ltd to Arthur Ransome
#868
GA&U sent Arthur Ransome a copy of The Fellowship of the Ring asking him to review it. Included was a short note: "I am sending you a set of uncorrected...
28 December 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#181
Tolkien arranges to visit Allen & Unwin in London with the manuscript for The Return of the King.
1954
22 January 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#371
Carpenter #143
Tolkien writes about corrections to Book III and Book IV.
16 March 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin
#1359
Tolkien sends by registered post two maps, the 'General Map', and 'Part of the Shire'. Both of these maps were drawn by Christopher Tolkien. Tolkien wil...
16 March 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin
#1436
Carpenter #143a
Writing to Allen & Unwin, Tolkien says that he has today, sent by registered, the proof for the “General Map” with a second map for 'Part of the Shi...
23 March 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin
#1437
Carpenter #143b
Tolkien, writing to Allen & Unwin, encloses possible jacket designs, one for The Fellowship of the Ring, and another for The Two Towers. Describing them...
24 March 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin
#1438
Carpenter #143c
Tolkien sends Allen & Unwin proofs of various pages and notes that included rune for “33” are not good, also “59” which he has previous explaine...
26 March 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1439
Carpenter #143d
Tolkien has drawn a sketch for Volume III, but says he won't show it to Rayner as it is not constructive to point out the artificial divisions in the vo...
15 April 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin
#1440
Carpenter #143e
Further to #TCGLetter1438, Tolkien says that p. 33 passes, p. 59 is improved. He has discovered “2 or 3” errors in the runic decoration on the title...
25 April 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Naomi Mitchison
#372
Carpenter #144
Tolkien writes about his use of languages in the book and explains the challenges faced in creating maps for The Lord of the Rings. He discusses the dis...
30 April 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#187
Tolkien writes to Stanley Unwin regarding Richard Hughes's opinion of The Lord of the Rings. Excerpts appears in Sotheby's Catalogue of Nineteenth Centu...
13 May 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#390
Carpenter #145
Tolkien is pleased with positive early opinions about his work. He notes his dissatisfaction with the Houghton Mifflin effort, and gives some suggestion...
3 June 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd, [to Ronald Eames]
#391
Carpenter #146
Tolkien does not approve of the proofs for the jacket of The Lord of the Rings, which he finds very ugly. He suggests some changes to the design of the ...
10 June 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin
#1442
Carpenter #146a
Tolkien addresses queries about The Two Towers by Allen and Unwin's head reader. Tolkien found the close reading extraordinary. A large publisher will h...
15 June 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.
#392
Carpenter #147
Tolkien expresses his delight in receiving an advance copy of The Fellowship of the Ring, he finds the jacket much improved and striking, particularly l...
6 August 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Perry
#1061
Tolkien remarks on the division of The Lord of the Rings into three volumes, and complains about the 'contemptuous' review of the first volume in the Su...
7 August 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Katharine Farrer
#393
Carpenter #148
Tolkien expresses concerns about misprints in The Fellowship of the Ring. He highlights a disagreement over a botanical term, corrected by the printers....
17 August 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien
#189
Tolkien writes to his son Michael, telling of the welcome from certain people of his "major work". He suggests that Michael George, his grandson, may en...
18 August 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Katharine Farrer
#1443
Carpenter #148a
Tolkien remarks on the morality of The Lord of the Rings and thanks the Farrer for paying close attention to such matters. He addresses the connections ...
21 August 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Neville Coghill
#190
Christina Scull and Wayne Hammond in a blogpost posted an extract of a letter to Nevill Coghill which can be read at
9 September 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#394
Carpenter #149
Tolkien expresses his relief that the critiques were better than feared. He acknowledges the disadvantage of issuing the work in three parts, with criti...
18 September 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Hugh Brogan
#398
Carpenter #151
Tolkien shares thoughts on the fascination of The Lord of the Rings. The author hopes to include an upcoming note on translation. The letter ends with t...
18 September 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.
#395
Carpenter #150
Tolkien is unable to submit any of the Appendices. The delay is attributed to promises made in Volume I, which are proving very difficult to meet.
18 September 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Hugh Brogan
#2060
Tolkien replies to Hugh Brogan who had written on the subject of The Fellowship of the Ring.
20 September 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Perry
#1087
Tolkien opens by saying he has been ill or else would have replied to Miss Perry's letter of 10 August. He mentions a Mr. Lambert and that authors shoul...
25 September 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Naomi Mitchison
#402
Carpenter #154
Tolkien responds to Mrs. Mitchison's kind letter and her generous and perceptive review of The Lord of the Rings. He discusses the complexity of the wor...
25 September 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Naomi Mitchison
#403
Carpenter #155
Tolkien responds to Mrs Mitchison's about the concept of "magic" in his works, particularly in The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien acknowledges that it is a ...
late September 1954?
J.R.R. Tolkien to Peter Hastings
#401
Carpenter #153
Tolkien responds to a reader's extensive analysis and questions about The Lord of the Rings. Amongst many topics, Tolkien discusses the unique fate of H...
28 September 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Daphne Castell
#1046
Daphne Castell (later Cloke) interviewed Tolkien circa 1966. This letter, along with three others and an annotated transcript of her notes for the inter...
13 October 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to John Staniforth
#193
Tolkien was delighted to receive a letter from Mr. John Staniforth referring to himself as a "sexagenarian". Tolkien cites his noticing of the songs in ...
13 October 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Katharine Briggs
#1712
Tolkien was sent a letter on the 11th October and replied to some queries about Gollum and the publication date of The Two Towers.
4 November 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Father Robert Murray
#404
Carpenter #156
Tolkien addresses several topics related to The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien discusses the characters Smeagol and Gandalf (including the nature of the Ist...
6 November 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Robert Burchfield
#194
Tolkien remarks on the reception to The Fellowship of the Ring by his colleagues. A photograph of the first half of the first page was included in Chris...
22 November 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Perry
#1086
Tolkien replies to Miss Perry who had sent Tolkien a favourable review of The Lord of the Rings. He was very pleased and discusses it along with other p...
27 November 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Katharine Farrer
#405
Carpenter #157
Tolkien expresses regret for not having written or offered help during the recipient's difficult times, and suggests the possibility of contributing fun...
December 1954
Hugh Brogan to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2061
Hugh Brogan writes again to Tolkien and offers him some criticisms of the archaic style used in parts of The Lord of the Rings.
15 December 1954
Allen & Unwin to Arnoldo Mondadori Editors
#1761
George Allen & Unwin offer a review copy of The Fellowship of the Ring for possible translation into Italian by Arnolda Monadori Editors. They mention t...
20 December 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1444
Carpenter #158a
Tolkien apologizes to Rayner for not having sent off the "main matter" earlier, and he details the hectic year he has had. "More than any one person cou...
21 December 1954
Arnoldo Mondadori Editore to Allen & Unwin
#1760
Arnoldo Mondadori Editore ask for a copy of The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers to decide if they wish to print an Italian translation.
30 December 1954
George Allen & Unwin to Arnoldo Mondadori Editore
#1774
Writing to the Italian publisher, Arnoldo Mondadori Editore, the Foreign Rights Department of GA&U note their pleasure at the publishers consideration t...
1955
18 January 1955
Arnoldo Mondadori Editore to George Allen & Unwin
#1775
Arnoldo Mondadori Editore (Milan) writes thanking George Allen & Unwin for copies of the Fellowship of the Ring and the Two Towers. They have been sent ...
3 February 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Terence Tiller
#198
Tolkien replies to Mr. Tiller regarding a BBC radio adaptation of The Lord of the Rings. He gives his approval and says he will contact Allen & Unwin to...
15 February 1955
Arnoldo Mondadori Editore (Reading committee report) to Arnoldo Mondadori Editore
#1762
This internal readers report offers various points on The Lord of the Rings while it is being considered for piblication in Italian. In conclusion, the ...
2 March 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Derrick Parnum
#199
Among various subjects, Tolkien mentions his health, which has been good, and the oddness of suggestioning gifts. He remarks that he was gifted a pair o...
15 March 1955
Arnoldo Mondadori Editore to Allen & Unwin
#1763
Arnoldo Mondadori Editore turn down publishing The Lord of the Rings as they don't think "that a work of this kind could appeal to a great number of Ita...
April 1955
W. H. Auden to J.R.R. Tolkien
#909
W.H. Auden had been sent a proof copy of the Return of the King during the period it was titled The War of the Ring. He offers feedback, some questionin...
18 April 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#410
Carpenter #162
Christopher Tolkien had re-drawn Tolkien's draft-map of the area of Gondor and Rohan.
2 May 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Turnbull
#200
Writing to Miss Turnbull, Tolkien says that he has not had time to reply to her long letter as he is "en-meshed with business" and the final pieces of v...
12 May 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#201
Tolkien replies to Rayner Unwin concerning his approval of Tolkien's map, which Christopher Tolkien reproduced.
19 May 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Turnbull
#202
Thanking Miss Turnbull for a gift and mention that he has sent off the last items (proofs) for The Return of the King.
26 May 1955 (day of delivery)
Rayner Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1526
Rayner Unwin sends Tolkien a folder with reviews from the USA, forwarded from Houghton Mifflin.
26 May 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1445
Carpenter #162a
Tolkien is still not happy with the appendices going in with The Return of the King, but says that they will have to do. He remarks on the ability of th...
2 June 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Nathan C. Starr
#203
Tolkien writes that he has been involved with administrative duties as well as other distractions. He hopes that Nathan Starr has The Two Towers and is ...
2 June 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rosemary Summers
#1166
Replying to Rosemary Summers, believed to be a teacher, Tolkien says that some critics argued the Hobbit was too frightening for children. Her school ch...
5 June 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to The New York Times Book Review
#1016
Tolkien responded to a request as to what makes him 'tick'. Quotes from this letter were printed in the 5 June 1955 New York Times Book Review article '...
7 June 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to W. H. Auden
#476
Carpenter #163
Tolkien shares insights into the origins and inspirations behind his writing, particularly focusing on The Lord of the Rings. He discusses the evolution...
28 June 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Perry
#1089
Tolkien mentions his visit to London where he met Rayner Unwin. He met Mr. Wilson, who he described as "the small old Scot who seems to reign over that ...
29 June 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Naomi Mitchison
#477
Carpenter #164
Tolkien describes a challenging and overwhelming period with an excessive workload, emphasizing the strain it has taken. He mentions booksellers, includ...
29 June 1955
Jarrold & Sons of Norwich to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1527
This packet sent to Tolkien from the printers Jarrod & Sons' on 29 June is noted in Tolkien's reply to Allen & Unwin. They had sent Tolkien page proofs ...
5 July 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin
#1446
Carpenter #165a
Tolkien notes that the proofs sent to him arrived later than expected and notes that this will hurry matters, after his "days of leisure" have been cut ...
15 July 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin
#1447
Carpenter #165b
Tolkien received some additional proofs of The Return of the King back from the printers, and is still not happy with the result. He chalks it up to his...
22 July 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.
#479
Carpenter #166
Tolkien expresses dissatisfaction with the current proofreading procedure and raises concerns about potential errors in the published volume.
27 July 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Judson
#1060
A letter from Tolkien to Miss Judson of Tunbridge Wells talking about The Return of the King and Tolkien's 1955 trip to Italy.
28 July 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jennifer Brookes-Smith
#205
Tolkien writes discussing the maps in The Lord of the Rings and his much needed holiday in "Gondor ...: Polargir and Lossarnach" (identified in a note ...
28 July 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs. Dixey
#206
Tolkien wishes that Mrs. Dixey will enjoy reading the as yet unpublished Return of the King, telling her that there are about 100 pages of appendices. I...
11 August 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to W.N. Beard
#1449
Carpenter #166b
Tolkien says that he cannot answer Mr. Beard's questions until he is back home and has a proof copy of the final text of Return of the King to look at.
22 August 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to John Roberts
#208
Tolkien writes to John Roberts, apologising for the delay in publishing the third volume of The Lord of the Rings. He describes the third volume, regret...
7 September 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Richard Jeffery
#481
Carpenter #168
Tolkien responds to Mr. Jeffery's letter. Tolkien discusses the command of Elvish script and mentions the upcoming release of Volume III, which will inc...
8 September 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs. Souch
#209
Tolkien answers a letter discussing among other things the delay in the last volume of The Lord of the Rings. He hopes the final volume is close to publ...
11 September 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Hugh Brogan
#482
Carpenter #169
Tolkien was asked about 'Numinor' in C.S. Lewis's That Hideous Strength and responds that it is a form of unintended borrowing. Tolkien clarifies that t...
18 September 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Hugh Brogan
#517
Carpenter #171
Tolkien addresses the criticism of his use of deliberate archaism in his writing and strongly defends his choice to use this in The Lord of the Rings as...
18 September 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Hugh Brogan
#2062
Tolkien had begun a longer letter to Hugh Brogan giving reasons for the inclusion of archaic language in The Lord of the Rings. He did not finish that l...
18 September 1955
Hugh Brogan to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2063
Brogan writes to Tolkien offering apologies for his "impertinent, stupid, or sycophantic" comments in his letter from December 1954. Tolkien will pen a ...
28 September 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Perry
#210
Tolkien opens this two sided post-note apologising for his delay in replying. He and Edith have both been very ill of late. He had recieved the proof-co...
30 September 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Philip Unwin (Allen & Unwin Ltd.)
#483
Carpenter #170
Tolkien feels that his life may be in danger if The Return of the King is not published soon. This letter is held at the 'Tolkien–George Allen & Unwin...
12 October 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Philip Unwin (Allen & Unwin Ltd.)
#518
Carpenter #172
Tolkien writes to Allen & Unwin, stressing that they must publish The Return of the King on the 20th October 1955. The letter is held at the 'Tolkien–...
22 October 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Mitchell
#212
Letter to Mr. Mitchell, about reading The Lord of the Rings and extends offer to sign his 3 volumes. Tolkien hopes that his success with the The Lord of...
22 October 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Judson
#1059
The letter concerns The Return of the King and Tolkien's invented languages as the source from which his stories originally grew.
24 October 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Joyce Biddell
#214
Tolkien expresses pleasure that his books cheered her. The recipient may be Joyce Biddell of Maidstone, Kent, who adapted the novel for the stage in 196...
24 October 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Katharine Farrer
#521
Carpenter #173
Tolkien delivered his O'Donnell lecture, English and Welsh, on the 21st October 1955 and mentions that The Return of the King was published on the 20th ...
10 November 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Lord Halsbury
#522
Carpenter #174
Tolkien expresses gratitude for Lord Halsbury's approval and interest in his work. He discusses the surprising success of The Lord of the Rings and foll...
30 November 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Molly Waldron
#524
Carpenter #175
Tolkien writes about the radio adaption of The Lord of the Rings. He specifically criticizes the portrayal of events around Tom Bombadil and Goldberry. ...
?Late 1955 or ?1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to G.E. Selby
#230
Little is known of this 6 page letter but Tolkien touches on the publication of The Lord of the Rings, stating it is not a trilogy and not an allegory. ...
?December 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Straight
#530
Carpenter #181
Tolkien responds to a reviewer's questions about The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien discusses that the story is meant to be enjoyed as a fairy tale. He ment...
4 December 1955
Hugh Brogan to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2064
Hugh Brogan writes to Tolkien on the matter of his criticism of The Lord of the Rings. He hopes that his criticism has not detracted from his "real admi...
12 December 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to David Masson
#211
The Return of the King was published 20 October 1955. Irritated by the Times Literary Supplement review of 25 November 1955, Mr. Masson, a librarian at ...
12 December 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.
#527
Carpenter #178
Tolkien writes about Victorian Warwickshire as an inspiration for the Shire. Additional quotes from this letter appear in Chronology. The original is he...
14 December 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Hugh Brogan
#528
Carpenter #179
Tolkien is happy to accept criticism of The Lord of the Rings.
21 December 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs Rachael Feichtmeir
#229
This letter remains unpublished and little is known beyond one quote, Tolkien says that "One must write to a map in being or times and distances get hop...
1956
1 January 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr Polet
#232
Tolkien writes a brief letter thanking Mr Polet for his letter and expresses his delight that Polet is enoying The Lord of the Rings.
1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Unknown
#231
This letter to an unknown recipient was briefly mentioned in an article, 'Tolkien Letter's a Treasure' posted by the Chronicle in Newcastle after an app...
5 January 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1453
Carpenter #179c
Tolkien says he has had no time to revisit The Silmarillion, but hoping to in the near future. He makes a point to thank Rayner Unwin for all his help i...
14 January 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Godfrey Nicholson
#233
Tolkien replies to Godfrey Nicholson who is a member of Parliament and a fan of The Lord of the Rings. He says he would be delighted to meet and dine wi...
14 January 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Peter Alford
#234
Tolkien replies to Peter Alford, of the BBC about his production of The Lord of the Rings.
Undated (1956-1958)
J.R.R. Tolkien to Peter Alford
#285
This undated letter sent sometime between January 1956 and April 1958 concerns an Elvish passage as noted by Anders Stenström. He noted an Elvish passa...
14 January 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Thompson
#529
Carpenter #180
Tolkien expresses gratitude for a reader's encouraging letter. He writes that his work began during World War I and evolved into the invention of legend...
?Late January 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Notes on W. H. Auden’s review of The Return of the King
#532
Carpenter #183
These are Tolkien's notes based on a review by W.H. Auden. He argues that his story is not an allegory of his personal experiences but a depiction of hu...
28 January 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Doris Elizabeth Sykes
#1054
Tolkien likes the illustrations that he has been sent, and discusses his own drawing skills. He has sent the drawings to Allen & Unwin, but has little h...
?Mid-February 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Peter Alford
#239
Tolkien writes about the divisions of the books of The Lord of the Rings. Enclosed with the letter was two paragraphs that Tolkien describes as being "i...
7 March 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Robert Durden
#240
Tolkien is pleased to read of Mr Durden's "delight" from reading The Lord of the Rings. He mentions briefly the Appendices, and that he hopes to be able...
8 March 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to William Galbraith
#235
Among many subjects Tolkien discusses the unfinished index for The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion. Numenor, echoes of past tales. 'Tunes' for po...
13 March 1956
Sam Gamgee to J.R.R. Tolkien
#910
Sam Gamgee writes to Tolkien about his family hearing the BBC Radio production of the Lord of the Rings (lost) and being surprised about the use of Gamg...
18 March 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Sam Gamgee
#533
Carpenter #184
Tolkien writes to a Mr Sam Gamgee from Tooting. He mentions how he came up with the name Gamgee, and mentions "cotton-wool" and the Gamgee family from B...
19 March 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#534
Carpenter #185
Tolkien wrote to Christopher about #TCGLetter533.
April 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Joanna de Bortadano
#535
Carpenter #186
Tolkien dismisses the idea that his story is an allegory of atomic power. Tolkien mentions the significance of humility and equality as spiritual princi...
3 April 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.
#536
Carpenter #188
Tolkien expresses his strong concern about the translation of The Lord of the Rings. As a professional linguist and the author of the work, he emphasize...
11 April 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to M. Wilson
#537
Carpenter #189
Tolkien responded to Mrs. Wilson stating that The Lord of the Rings should really be read by adults, as it was not a work aimed at children.
16 April 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to H [Humphrey]. Cotton Minchin
#243
Carpenter #187
Tolkien describes himself as a philologist, and sometime calligrapher. An index of Elvish names was intended to be produced, noting that his 'specialist...
16 April 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to H [Humphrey]. Cotton Minchin
#1528
As with Tolkien's draft of this letter, this letter opens with Tolkien's ackowledgment of Minchin's suggestions and his note that he is now more than ev...
20 April 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to [Rev.] Paul Spilsbury
#1692
Writing to a fan, Tolkien says that he has no time to explain things concerning his writing at this time, noting that it is the beginning of term. But t...
?Late June or July 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Houghton Mifflin Co.
#531
Carpenter #182
Tolkien hoped that he would be able to publish parts of The Silmarillion After the success of The Lord of the Rings he hoped it may be reconsidered.
?Early July 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Doris Elizabeth Sykes
#237
Tolkien apologizes for making Doris Sykes "anxious", explaining that had been very busy. He says that the publisher does not intend to make an illustrat...
2 July 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Patricia Henderson
#246
Tolkien has been invited to visit Cambridge and give a speech, but he must decline due to his workload. He notes that he has many invitations at the mom...
3 July 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#538
Carpenter #190
Tolkien expresses strong objections to the Dutch translation of The Lord of the Rings. He vehemently opposes any alteration or translation of the nomenc...
26 July 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss J. Burn
#553
Carpenter #191
Tolkien reflects on Frodo's role in the destruction of the Ring and discusses the theological implications of his actions. Tolkien rejects the notion of...
27 July 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Amy Ronald
#554
Carpenter #192
Tolkien responds to a letter discussing Frodo's perceived failure in the story. Tolkien defends Frodo's inability to surrender the Ring as an inevitable...
2 November 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Terence Tiller
#555
Carpenter #193
Tolkien discusses the concept of "accent" in the context of representing different languages, particularly the Common Speech (C.S.) in his legendarium. ...
5 November 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr Britten
#259
Tolkien answers some questions, on The Silmarillion and on Elvish sleep among more general queries. It is plainly suggested that Elves do ‘sleep’, b...
11 November 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr Britten
#260
Mr Britten asked some questions about the nomenclature of place names, and the map of the Shire. Tolkien discusses the names Pincup, Nobottle, and Oxfor...
8 December 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. [Anthony] Roberts
#281
Tolkien replies to a fan letter with pleasure that Mr. Roberts is enjoying The Lord of the Rings. He makes a brief mention of his First and Second Age s...
1957
3 February 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1457
Carpenter #195a
Tolkien says that work is still getting in the way of him spending any time on The Silmarillion. He is having trouble with a professor in America as wel...
4 February 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Max Schuchart
#1529
Tolkien writes to Max Schuchart on matters of the Dutch translation of the Fellowship of the Ring.
1 March 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1458
Carpenter #195b
Tolkien apologizes to Rayner for being exhausted at their previous meeting and says he is recovering from a very stressful school term. He says that he ...
9 April 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Haywood
#286
In reply to a letter from a boy who had read The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien says he is pleased that his work is bringing enjoyment to readers. He says t...
3 May 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Charles Blackwood
#288
A letter to a young fan named Charles Blackwood. Discusses runes, Tolkien remarks that he did not invent the runes in The Hobbit. See for more details.
9 May 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#559
Carpenter #197
Tolkien expresses gratitude for a letter from GA&U and contemplates the idea of retiring in July and reflects on the financial and health implications. ...
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...
24 June 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Caroline Everett
#561
Carpenter #199
Tolkien was not inclined to offer any biographical details, as he doubted their relevance. Though he does go on to give some biographical facts. This le...
25 June 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Major Bowen
#562
Carpenter #200
Tolkien provides an explanation of Sauron's nature and his role in the world.
7 September 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#576
Carpenter #201
Tolkien expresses dissatisfaction with the current script for the proposed film version of The Lord of the Rings. Previously, Wayne G. Hammond and Chris...
11 September 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher and Faith Tolkien
#577
Carpenter #202
Tolkien describes his meeting with Sir Stanley Unwin and Mr Ackerman, they decided upon a policy to deal with film rights.
14 September 1957
C.S. Lewis to Lucy Matthews
#1657
C.S. Lewis writes to a young reader thanking her for her letter on her enjoyment of his Narnia stories. He says that he too enjoys Nesbit and notes furt...
17 November 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Herbert Schiro
#327
Carpenter #203
In response to a letter from Herbert Schiro asking about allegory in The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien quite angrily dismisses these readings. Much of this...
7 December 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#578
Carpenter #204
Tolkien discusses a letter from Halsbury expressing admiration for the Silmarillion material and anticipation for its publication. Tolkien mentions a le...
12 December 1957
Rayner Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1673
Rayner agrees with Tolkien that future translations should adopt the names as Tolkien prefers. Rayner says that Allen & Unwin can have an index of names...
19 December 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Patricia
#329
Tolkien discusses his hectic schedule, translations of the rcently published (in 3 volumes) Lord of the Rings. Tolkien states that he is "on leave now f...
1958
14 January 1958
Rayner Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1674
Rayner has found a lady who can index The Lord of the Rings for him, and notes that he has said it is to be in "two parts". One of proper names and one ...
21 February 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#579
Carpenter #205
Tolkien congratulates Christopher on a paper that he gave at St Anne's College.
22 February 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Wood
#334
Tolkien confirms that Tuesday will be fine for a visit, though he has a guest around 7pm. The guest will be Mr Jonathan Wordsworth.
11 March 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Przemyslaw Mroczkowski
#148
Tolkien writes to his friend Przemyslaw Mroczkowski saying that he is relieved that Przemyslaw will allow Tolkien to share "a little of the proceeds of ...
12 March 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Nancy Smith
#207
Following the publication of the third volume from Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, many readers' demands grew for an index or glossary that would hel...
2 April 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Messrs. Voorhoeve en Dietrich
#388
Carpenter #205b
Tolkien writes a letter thanking Mr. Ouboter regarding his visit to Holland. He says that the sooner he can return there, the better.
3 April 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Professor Jongkees
#335
Professor Jongkees had invited Tolkien for a cup of tea, Tolkien replies as if by Gandalf.
8 April 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#580
Carpenter #206
Tolkien describes in great detail his trip to Rotterdam.
8 April 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#581
Carpenter #207
Tolkien expresses his intent to review the "Story-Line" provided by Zimmerman for the animated film adaptation of The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien indicat...
10 April 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Cees Ouboter
#582
Carpenter #208
Tolkien describes the 'message' in The Lord of the Rings.
?11 April–c. 21 April and c. 28 April–5 May 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Forrest J. Ackerman
#915
Tolkien had been visited by Forest J. Ackerman in September 1957 (see reference) to discuss a proposed adaptation of The Lord of the Rings. Ackerman sho...
27 May 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Nancy Smith
#338
Due to demand from fans, Rayner Unwin hires editor and friend Nancy Smith to help Tolkien compile an index for The Lord of the Rings. See also #TCGLette...
29 May 1958
Rayner Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1680
Writing to Tolkien, Rayner says that he will seriously consider adding the index into the Lord of the Rings. Possibly to coincide with the proposed publ...
9 June 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Forrest J. Ackerman
#584
Carpenter #210
After receiving the script sent from Morton Grady Zimmerman Tolkien replies with (in parts) stinging criticism. He opens by apologising for sounding irr...
11 September 1958
C.S. Lewis to Lucy Matthews
#1658
After Lewis had suggested Lucy Matthews to read The Lord of the Rings, she wrote to Lewis again and he replied saying that she had "got it exactly right...
[late 1958-early 1959]
J.R.R. Tolkien to A.C. Nunn
#586
Carpenter #214
Tolkien describes Hobbit history and the process of giving and receiving gifts in the Shire.
14 October 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rhona Beare
#400
Carpenter #211
Tolkien responds to questions, explaining the inspiration and meaning behind various elements in The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien concludes by emphasizing...
14 October 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rhona Beare
#585
Carpenter #212
Tolkien describes the creation of the World and then of the Dwarves by Aulë in draft that was never sent to Beare.
20 October 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Misses E. Jones and J. Taylor
#339
Tolkien sends his apologies not replying earlier, he describes himself as "a much harassed man".
26 October 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to L.M. Cutts
#341
Tolkien apologises for the cost of The Lord of the Rings. He notes that he did not research his tale but that any tale cannot exist in a void and one ca...
1959
21? February 1959
J.R.R. Tolkien to William Ready
#342
Tolkien makes arrangements for the transfer of money regarding the purchase of his manuscripts of The Lord of the Rings. The original letter in the form...
5 March 1959
J.R.R. Tolkien to William Ready
#343
Tolkien writes with gratitude regarding Ready's arrangement of the purchase by the Marquette University of Tolkien's manuscripts for The Lord of the Rin...
17 April 1959
J.R.R. Tolkien to Walter Allen
#590
Carpenter #215
Tolkien declines to take part in a symposium on Children's writing in draft form, but ends up sending just a short note.
19 June 1959
J.R.R. Tolkien to Benjamin Knights
#1064
Tolkien writes to Benjamin, and thanks him for buying The Lord of the Rings and answers a question on the height of Amon Hen, he doubts it was much over...
11 September 1959
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin
#592
Carpenter #217
Tolkien writes about the Polish translation of The Lord of the Rings. A slightly different quotation from the letter is given in Chronology from that re...
16 October 1959
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin
#594
Carpenter #220
A Cambridge cat breeder had asked if she could register a litter of Siamese kittens under names taken from The Lord of the Rings.
8 November 1959
J.R.R. Tolkien to Naomi Mitchison
#346
Carpenter #220a
Tolkien had hoped to see Mitchison but her letter "twice delayed" had not reached Tolkien until it was too late. He gives an update on life and remarks ...
9 December 1959
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#598
Carpenter #222
Tolkien writes to Rayner about his translations of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Pearl.
1960
Between 1960 and 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien to Dorothy Wood
#451
Tolkien wrote a series of letters to his cousin Dorothy Wood and Sotheby's auction house quoted from many. Among those that no date could be determined ...
7 January 1960
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. K.F. Mawson
#452
A fascinating letter on the labors of producing his iconic work, concluding with a humorous aside on real-life namesakes of his famous characters. A pho...
13 January 1960
Tolkien's Secretary to Elizabeth Jones
#453
The letter contains a printed statement about The Lord of the Rings and a typed paragraph stating that he is "working on a new book which I hope will te...
9 February 1960
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1470
Carpenter #222a
Tolkien informs Rayner that by way of looking at the "Scunthorpe lists" he has also continued work on The Silmarillion, and can say that it is in an act...
12 February 1960
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1471
Carpenter #222b
Tolkien tells Rayner that he is getting to his work on the translations of Sir Gawain and Pearl, in addition to The Silmarillion, however the arrival of...
29 February 1960
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1472
Carpenter #222c
Tolkien asks Rayner's thoughts on publishing small or minor bits having to do with the Ring Cycle. He says that he is being asked for these, and that th...
April 1960
J.R.R. Tolkien to Triode
#454
Tolkien's letter, of which an extract is published in Triode 18 (May 1960) deals with the possibility of a film of The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien says t...
4 April 1960
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jane Neave
#1474
Carpenter #222e
Tolkien tells Jane Neave that he will send her "a long instalment" for reference.
7 July 1960
J.R.R. Tolkien to Heinrich Wolfgang Donner
#461
In this letter to his friend, Heinrich Wolfgang Donner, Tolkien says he is disaproving of the Swedish translation cover art for The Fellowship of the Ri...
31 July 1960
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#599
Carpenter #223
Tolkien's publishing commitments are catching up with him. Chronology reproduced a slightly longer selection of the letter than what appears in Letters....
30 August 1960
J.R.R. Tolkien to George Lewis Hersh
#1067
Letter concerns various points in The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion.
10 December 1960
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#601
Carpenter #225
Puffin Books, via Margaret S. Clark, had requested the rights to publish a paperback edition of The Hobbit on 30 November. After hearing of this from Ra...
31 December 1960
J.R.R. Tolkien to L.W. Forster
#602
Carpenter #226
Writing to L.W. Forster, Tolkien states that The Lord of the Rings was not influenced by the two World Wars, except for the landscape. Tolkien also writ...
1961
1961
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Fettes
#464
Christopher Fettes had written to Tolkien asking why he referred to both Tom Bombadil and Treebeard as the "oldest beings in Middle-earth". In Tolkien's...
1961
George Allen & Unwin to Houghton Mifflin Co.
#1719
A series of letters found at the University of Reading GA&U archives. Consisting of 144 items. Not all of these letters are concerned with Tolkien but s...
1961
George Allen & Unwin to Penguin Books
#1720
A series of letters found at the University of Reading GA&U archives. Consisting of 172 items, not all of which concern Tolkien. Among the subjects disc...
5 January 1961
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs E. C. Ossendrijver
#465
Carpenter #227
Of this letter, a large portion was published as Letter #227 in The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien. In the opening portion of this letter to Madam Ossendrijv...
24 January 1961
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin
#603
Carpenter #228
Tolkien writes about including the Appendices of The Lord of the Rings in translations. Quoted selections from the letter appear in Chronology that are ...
23 February 1961
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin
#604
Carpenter #229
Tolkien’s commentary on Åke Ohlmarks’ introduction to the Swedish translation of The Lord of the Rings.
8 June 1961
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rhona Beare
#605
Carpenter #230
Answering various questions about The Lord of the Rings. A photocopy of original letter with a complete transcript is held at the Marquette archives.
3 July 1961
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Gilmore
#471
Writing to Mr. Gilmore, Tolkien explains that there will not be a sequel to The Lord of the Rings, with observations on the end of stories and that the ...
12 July 1961
Rayner Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#778
Rayner Unwin writes to Tolkien with news that Miss Pamela Chandler wants to photograph him. He impresses upon Tolkien that they could use the photograph...
4 August 1961
C.S. Lewis to Father Dominic
#779
C.S. Lewis is surprised that Father Dominic thinks The Lord of the Rings "has not caught on".
27 September 1961
J.R.R. Tolkien to M.R. Ridley
#695
Tolkien corrects a mistake in Mr. Ridley's Elvish and congratulates him on his use of the language. This letter, with others, was made available for auc...
4 October 1961
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jane Neave
#606
Carpenter #231
Tolkien writes to his Aunt Jane about publishing Tom Bombadil.
11 October 1961
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1070
Tolkien suggests a book about Tom Bombadil as "an interim amusement" that wouldn't cost too much. He suggests Pauline Baynes as illustrator.
2 November 1961
Rayner Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1071
Rayner suggests that Tolkien include additional poems with 'Tom Bombadil' not just from The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.
4 November 1961
J.R.R. Tolkien to Joyce Reeves
#607
Carpenter #232
Tolkien talks about his pre-WWI trip to the Alps.
13 November 1961
J.R.R. Tolkien to Paul Barnetson
#486
Tolkien thanks Mr. Barnetson for his letter, He does not consider the book to be based on "German or Icelandic folklore" but says it has a northern air ...
15 November 1961
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jane Neave
#487
Tolkien has been asked to provide more poems to go with 'Tom Bombadil' as the book is too small according to GA&U. He notes that he believed a small vol...
15 November 1961
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#608
Carpenter #233
Allen & Unwin agree to publish The Adventures of Tom Bombadil.
18 November 1961
Rayner Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1073
Rayner tells Tolkien that he has sent the Tom Bombadil poems to Pauline Baynes to get her thoughts.
22 November 1961
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jane Neave
#609
Carpenter #234
Tolkien sends some poems that he is considering for The Adventures of Tom Bombadil. A lecture he gave on fairy stories at St Andrews consolidated his vi...
23 November 1961
J.R.R. Tolkien to Pauline Baynes
#489
Tolkien notes the evolution of the The Adventure's of Tom Bombadil,
6 December 1961
J.R.R. Tolkien to Pauline Baynes
#610
Carpenter #235
Pauline Baynes, who had illustrated Farmer Giles of Ham, had expressed herself willing to provide pictures for The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, and had b...
28 December 1961
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Howard
#2026
Tolkien replied to Christopher Howard, and talked about The Hobbit, reading The Lord of the Rings, and suggests that he can borrow it from a public libr...
29 December 1961
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Perry
#494
Tolkien replies to Perry explaining his delay as be is not able to remember addresses and that his papers are not in order. Tolkien goes on to discuss h...
30 December 1961
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#611
Carpenter #236
Tolkien has read the Puffin Hobbit and was not impressed with changes made to the book. Chronology contains additional quoted material beyond what appea...
1962
12 January 1962
Rayner Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1075
Rayner Unwin sends Tolkien a specimen page for The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, and estimates the book would be a total of 64 pages.
1 February 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to Cor Blok
#469
Tolkien writes to Corr Blok about Blok's Exhibition of his paintings and offers to buy two of them, "The Battle of the Hornburg" and "The Dead Marshes".
5 February 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1076
Tolkien submits additional poems for possible inclusion in the 'Tom Bombadil' book - 'Firiel', 'The Trees of Kortirion', 'Shadow-Bride' and 'Knocking at...
26 February 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to P.C. Buiter
#1354
Tolkien writes to Mr Buiter to inform him of the Puffin Hobbit's publication.
12 March 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Sutton
#1843
Tolkien writes in reply to a letter asking for details of what Tolkien is writing. He apologises for the short delay as he is busy writing what Mr. Sutt...
10 April 1962
Attilio Landi (Headquarters at Arnoldo Mondadori Editore) to Arnoldo Mondadori Editore
#1777
A reading committee report to the Mondadori headquarters speaks negatively of the Lord of the Rings. The reader described the book as "banal... and cumb...
12 April 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#612
Carpenter #237
Tolkien discusses progress with The Adventures of Tom Bombadil. Chronology contains additional material quoted beyond what appears in Letters. The origi...
16 April 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miriam Hirsch
#495
Tolkien writes expressing his sorrow at his delay in replying. He pleads be excused as he is still "very busy and have little time to spare if I am ever...
9 May 1962
George Allen & Unwin to Miss Calabi (Arnoldo Mondadori Editore)
#1778
GA&U write to the Italian publisher Arnoldo Mondadori Editore on the subject of publishing the Italian translation of The Lord of the Rings. Given are d...
15 June 1962
Arnoldo Mondadori Editore to Alina Dadlez (of GAU)
#1779
Mondadori write to Alina Dedlez at GA&U thanking her for the copies sent of the Lord of the Rings and asks for details of what option they intend to gra...
21 June 1962
George Allen & Unwin to Miss Calabi (Arnoldo Mondadori Editore)
#1780
In reply to a letter to GA&U, they reply that holding onto the books is fine. They ask that a decision be made within two months but that if more time i...
25 June 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to Pauline Baynes
#496
Tolkien notes his admiration of Baynes working practices and laments his own. He again asks for Baynes to work on the book and hopes for a visit. He con...
18 July 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jane Neave
#613
Carpenter #238
Writing to his aunt, Jane Neave, and in a newly published portion of this letter Tolkien says that fan mail keeps arriving, some of it is interesting an...
20 July 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to Alina Dadlez
#614
Carpenter #239
Writing to Alina Dadlez, Tolkien explains his displeasure at the Spanish translation of 'Hobbit' and remarks back to the "private fancies" of the transl...
21 July 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1477
Carpenter #239a
Tolkien informs Rayner Unwin that he is now "in residence" until 2 October and will return on 10 October as he is once again involved in term. He is sta...
1 August 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to Pauline Baynes
#615
Carpenter #240
Pauline Baynes, who was illustrating The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, pointed out that the typescript of the title poem described Tom as wearing a peacoc...
13 August 1962
Miss Calabi (ARNOLDO MONDADORI EDITORE) to Alina Dadlez (George Allen & Unwin)
#1781
Cin Calabi of Arnoldo Mondadori writes to George Allen & Unwin asking if they could have more time to consider The Lord of the Rings as holidays, etc ha...
17 August 1962
Alina Dadlez (for GA&U) to Miss Calabi (Arnoldo Mondadori Editore)
#1782
In reply to a request for more time to consider the Lord of the Rings, Alina Dadlez replies that the end of September will be fine and asks if they may ...
8-9 September 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jane Neave
#616
Carpenter #241
Tolkien writes about his lecture 'English and Welsh' and about 'Leaf by Niggle'.
19 September 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to Alina Dadlez
#498
Tolkien writes explaining that "I prefer hobitos since it preserves to the eye more relationship to the original word. I do not much mind the h being 'm...
28 September 1962
Arnoldo Mondadori Editors (internal memo) to Arnoldo Mondadori Editors
#1764
An internal memo noting that they are considering once again the Lord of the Rings after having turned it down in 1955. Various translations are noted, ...
28 September 1962
Mario Mattolini (Arnoldo Mondadori Editore) to Arnoldo Mondadori Editore (internal memo)
#1784
This internal letter forms the basis of the letter which will be sent to Stanley Unwin declining the invitation to translate and publish the Lord of the...
8 October 1962
Elio Vittorini (Headquarters at Arnoldo Mondadori Editors) to Arnoldo Mondadori Editore
#1765
An internal note about the possibility of publishing the Lord of the Rings. Details various mentions from other letters about the success of the book, t...
10 October 1962
Elio Vittorini (Headquarters at Arnolda Monadori Editors) to Arnoldo Mondadori Editore
#1785
Mario Mattolini sends this internal letter making the decision to not move forward with the Lord of the Rings.
11 October 1962
Cin Calabi (Arnoldo Mondadori Editore) to Stanley Unwin
#1783
Writing to Stanley Unwin, Cin Calabi of the Italian publisher Arnoldo Mondadori Editore, gives Stanley Unwin the news that the publisher is declining th...
2 November 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1478
Carpenter #241a
Tolkien says that as Rayner knows, The Adventures of Tom Bombadil began, with his Aunt Jane. he asks that a complimentary copy be sent to her and charge...
7 November 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Sheppard
#499
Tolkien sends a short letter with his pleasure that Mr. Sheppard enjoys his writing.
14 November 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to H [Humphrey]. Cotton Minchin
#500
Tolkien discusses The Adventures of Tom Bombadil and a printing from 'an "organization" - similiar to the Reprint Society' of The Lord of the Rings. Thi...
28 November 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to Sir Stanley Unwin
#617
Carpenter #242
The Adventures of Tom Bombadil was published on 22 November. Additional quotes and context appear in Chronology than what is in Letters. The original le...
1963
c. 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to Unknown
#619
Carpenter #244
A fragment at the top of which Tolkien has written: ‘Comments on a criticism (now lost?) concerning Faramir & Eowyn (c. 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.
13 February 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Hooton
#698
Tolkien is 'deep in snow'
13 February 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Allen
#1063
Tolkien writes to Miss Allen and notes that the Mewlips of his poem are mere legend, and that although the Hobbits are treated in his work as 'historica...
17 February 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to Julie Cape
#502
Tolkien writes to Julie Cape thanking her for her letter of appreciation. She has enjoyed The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings and Tolkien hopes that sh...
21 February 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs Gill
#503
Tolkien writes to Mrs Gill, thanking her for her letter. He is pleased she has enjoyed his books. He is amazed that she waited patiently for two years t...
18 April - 6 May 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. and Mrs. Kloos
#523
In this letter, a reply to the Kloos's letter from March, Tolkien writes about his inspirations for The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. It was started...
25 June 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rhona Beare
#620
Carpenter #245
Answers to the following questions: (1) In the ‘English runes’ used for Anglo-Saxon inscriptions, the rune does not stand for G as it does in The Lo...
20 September 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to Colonel Worskett
#622
Carpenter #247
Tolkien writes about The Lord of the Rings, comparisons to The Hobbit, some discussion of the material being worked on for The Silmarillion, and a lengt...
22 September 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to Eileen Elgar
#507
Carpenter #246
Tolkien answers questions about The Lord of the Rings, especially regarding the failure of Frodo. Marquette archives have a partial transcript along wit...
21 October 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs. Munby
#508
Tolkien opens this letter stating that an earlier reply was delayed by ill-health and pressures of work. He cannot answer questions sent by her son, say...
c. late 1963 - January 1964
Justin Arundale to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2287
Justin Arundale, a young fan of The Lord of the Rings, writes to Tolkien asking if he has any information of when The Silmarillion will be published. To...
11 December 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to Howard McCord
#515
Howard McCord was a creative writing professor at Washington State University when he wrote a letter to Tolkien. He compliments Tolkien on The Fellowshi...
16 December 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to Baronne A. Baeyens
#516
Tolkien opens this letter by apologising for his delay in replying to a letter from September, and that his secretary had typed up a note but he felt a ...
18 December 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Hepworth
#520
Tolkien writes a short note to Mr. Hepworth, the father of Jonathan who had sent Tolkien a drawing of Mordor. He thanks Mr. Hepworth for his letter and ...
23 December 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#628
Carpenter #253
It had been agreed that the new paperback (see no. 248) should be given the title Tree and Leaf. Rayner Unwin asked if Tolkien could suggest a suitable ...
25-26 December 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to Nancy Smith
#511
Tolkien writes on Christmas Day to Nancy Smith who in the 1950s had prepared an index to the Lord of the Rings. He explains he had retrieved her letter ...
1964
1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to A correspondent
#1689
In a footnote in Unfinished Tales, Christopher Tolkien quotes from this otherwise unknown letter discussing confusion around the numbering of Númenorea...
17 January 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs. A. Mountfield
#540
A typed letter of thanks to Mrs A. Mountfield of Eltham Green School, thanking her for sending the letter by one of her class children which gave him gr...
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...
18 January 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Justin Arundale
#542
Tolkien replies to Justin Arundale aged ten explaining that the Silmarillion will not be published for some time yet. He closes by asking him to tell hi...
20-26 January 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Przemyslaw Mroczkowski
#543
A reply to a sympathetic letter of Professor Przemyslaw Mroczkowski in Kraków. Tolkien hopes that his friend has recovered from an operation, though To...
28 February 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to James Heaf
#544
Tolkien answers a question about what Hal saw on the North Moors - Tolkien does not think it was an Entwife, but likely a troll. He also recommends Heaf...
5 March 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Eileen Elgar
#164
Carpenter #255
Eileen Elgar wrote to Tolkien asking for information about The Silmarillion. Included in his reply was a nine page manuscript, with genealogical tree il...
13 May 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Colin Bailey
#630
Carpenter #256
An account of Tolkien’s unfinished story ‘The New Shadow’. Hammond and Scull's Chronology mentions that this letter was started on May 13, but set...
30 May 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jane T. Sibley
#546
Tolkien thanks Miss Sibley for her letter and "close scrutiny" of his books. He says that any mystery regarding his runes are easily solved: The runes i...
8 July 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to James Heaf
#545
In an earlier letter Tolkien had suggested that James Heaf read his forthcoming book The Silmarillion. He now regrets that The Silmarillion might not be...
10 July 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs. Marcus
#551
In this typed letter with a hand written post script Tolkien discusses the development of The Lord of the Rings saying that Hobbits were not a late addi...
16 July 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Bretherton
#631
Carpenter #257
Tolkien wrote that he usually typed letters because of his handwriting (which can be very difficult to read at times). He talks about the invention of h...
30 July 1964
Rayner Unwin (George Allen & Unwin) to Pauline Baynes
#1250
Rayner Unwin says that the artwork for the Lord of the Rings have been safely collected, they look marvellous, Rayner will take to Tolkien as soon as ca...
31 July 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jared Lobdell
#1038
Tolkien discusses the proverb 'third time proves best'.
2 August 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#632
Carpenter #258
During 1964 an Aquastroll hydrofoil, which made a trial crossing from Calais to Dover, was given the name Shadowfax (the name of the horse ridden by Gan...
4 August 1964
Rayner Unwin to Pauline Baynes
#1251
Rayner Unwin of GA&U writing to Pauline Baynes, as "said in my scribbled postscript we all of us are entranced by your design for the box of The Lord of...
10 August 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Carole Ward
#564
Tolkien is pleased that Ward enjoyed the book. He says he is against dramatizations of his works, especially The Lord of the Rings which he feels is too...
14 August 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Joy Hill
#565
Tolkien discusses the serialisation of The Hobbit in The Princess. Tolkien notes that dwarves is used throughout in his book, but it would be ok for thi...
16 August 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Carey Blyton
#634
Carpenter #260
Blyton had asked Tolkien’s permission to compose a Hobbit Overture.
28 August 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to E. Rasdall
#567
Tolkien replies, thanking Mr. E. Rasdall for his interest in his writing and returns the copy of The Adventures of Tom Bombadil to be signed. Tolkien ex...
11 November 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Clyde S. Kilby
#569
Tolkien replies to questions about how the manuscripts of The Lord of the Rings and Mr. Bliss were sold to Marquette University. Quotes are found in SEV...
1965
Mid to late 1960s
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Blashka
#815
Joy Hill replies to a letter in which she is described as "his chief scribe". The Silmarillion is not yet ready for publication and no date is known. To...
2 January 1965
Iris Murdoch to J.R.R. Tolkien
#911
The writer, Iris Murdoch sends Tolkien a fan-letter to show her appreciation for The Lord of the Rings. Two pages were reproduced in Tolkien: Maker of M...
19 January 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss A. P. Northey
#641
Carpenter #268
Tolkien describes what happened to Shadowfax at the end of The Lord of the Rings (he went with Gandalf into the West).
24 January 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Joan O. Falconer
#575
Tolkien says that "the impression" that Sam is older than Frodo is in part due to the impression of their characters based on background and education. ...
22 February 1965
Rayner Unwin's Secretary to Ed Meskys
#782
Rayner Unwin replies to a letter from Ed Meskys saying the Silmarillion will not be published for many years but that Sir Gawain and Pearl could be publ...
12 May 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to W.H. Auden
#642
Carpenter #269
Auden had asked Tolkien if the notion of the Orcs, an entire race that was irredeemably wicked, was not heretical.
20 May 1965
Tolkien's Secretary to Mr Eder
#914
Tolkien's secretary replies to fan letter thanking Mr. Eder for his letters and pictures of stained glass windows. He enjoyed seeing them. He also alert...
20 May 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#644
Carpenter #270
Tolkien had sent Unwin the typescript of his new story Smith of Wootton Major. It seemed to Unwin to need the companionship of other stories to make a s...
25 May 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#645
Carpenter #271
Tolkien writes about revising The Lord of the Rings. Additional quotes from this letter concerning the revising of Sir Gawain are published in Chronolog...
28 July 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Austin Olney
#648
Carpenter #274
Tolkien discusses revising The Lord of the Rings and the maps. Additional quotes can be found in the Chronology entry for this letter. The original is i...
31 July 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Austin Olney
#1483
Carpenter #274a
Tolkien writes to Austin Olney, at Houghton Mifflin, with corrections and additions to The Two Towers.
3 August 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to The Librarian at Marquette
#699
Tolkien writes to the Librarian at Marquette asking for copies of manuscript materials needed for revising The Lord of the Rings. The original letter wi...
24 August 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1484
Carpenter #275a
Tolkien apologizes once again for being late in getting work to Rayner, this time revisions on the 3rd edition of The Hobbit. He says that many revision...
12 September 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Dick Plotz
#650
Carpenter #276
Tolkien writes about The Silmarillion, the Númenórean legends, and his friendship with C.S. Lewis. He discusses the formation of the Tolkien Society o...
12 September 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#651
Carpenter #277
In August 1965 Ballantine Books produced the first ‘authorized’ American paperback of The Hobbit, without incorporating Tolkien’s revisions to the...
26 October 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Dick Plotz
#1026
A one-page response to a couple of questions that Plotz had asked. Tolkien translates the poem "A Elbereth Gilthoniel", tells how to pronounce Meriadoc,...
28 October 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to P.M. Cowan
#704
Tolkien replies to a young reader who had asked him about the index for The Lord of the Rings saying that the index is not yet published, but is being w...
6 December 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to G.S. Rigby Jr
#711
Tolkien writes to Rigby acknowledging the theological aspects of The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien says that there is a lot of theology in the work. A desc...
15 December 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#654
Carpenter #281
Tolkien writes about a new UK paperback edition of The Hobbit. He comments on replacing the note explaining Bilbo's changed story and the two Thrains wi...
18 December 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Clyde S. Kilby
#655
Carpenter #282
Professor Kilby, of Wheaton College, Illinois, had met Tolkien while visiting Oxford in 1964. He now offered to return to England and help Tolkien in an...
1966
1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Charles Calleja
#717
Tolkien writes to explain that the second edition of The Hobbit is different to the original. Charles Calleja gave some insights about the letter and hi...
7 January 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Roger Shaw
#718
Tolkien writes making mention of the suggestion that The Lord of the Rings landscape is based on Iceland. Tolkien says that he has never been there, tho...
12 January 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to David Hicks
#722
Tolkien thanks David Hicks for his birthday greetings and says he is "writing more about the world of The Lord of the Rings", when he has the time. He r...
10 February 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald A. Wollheim
#720
Tolkien writes and expresses his regret at his delayed reply. he had like many at that time been ill with influenza. He encloses two copies of the signe...
23 February 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to W.H. Auden
#657
Carpenter #284
Auden told Tolkien that he had agreed to write a short book about him, in collaboration with Peter H. Salus, for a seres entitled Christian Perspectives...
20 March 1966
Charles Mitchel to J.R.R. Tolkien
#913
Charles Micthell, husband of folk singer Joni Mitchell wrote to Tolkien asking if he could use two names, Lorien and Strider as names for a publsihing a...
21 March 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to George Sayer
#185
Tolkien sends a letter to his friend George Sayer firstly expressing his sorrow about Sayers wife Moira. She has been very ill of late. He had hoped tha...
21 March 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Swann
#969
Tolkien writes to Swann, mentioning details about recital, press photographs, dinner afterwards, etc. Tolkien has laryngitis.
8 April 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Roger Verhulst
#744
Tolkien replies to Roger Verhulst's letter about the US paperback rights to Essays Presented to Charles Williams, and he reiterates his objections to a ...
8 April 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to W.H. Auden
#658
Carpenter #285
Tolkien writes about his reaction to Auden's comments on his house.
27 April 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to A. E. Couchman
#659
Carpenter #286
The following is one of many short replies that Tolkien wrote at this period of his life to readers who asked questions about his books. Its characteris...
1 June 1966
Tolkien's Secretary to Mr [Royston F.] Porthouse
#766
Secretarial letter to Mr Porthouse wirth mention that Tolkien's next book will be The Silmarillion.
5? July 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Clyde S. Kilby
#818
Tolkien thanks Kilby for his visit and apologizes for being busy. On a seperate page, Tolkien includes a three paragraph fragment from the review of an ...
18 July 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs. Webster
#963
Mrs. Webster was a teacher and she and her pupils put on a performance of some scenes from The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien can not attend, but Clyde S. K...
29 July 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Max Rouslin
#767
Tolkien offers advice on finding first editions of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.
22 August 1966
Timothy J. Wheeler to J.R.R. Tolkien
#790
Wheeler sends Tolkien a copy of the August edition of RALLY which includes a review of The Lord of the Rings by Jared Lobdell. Noted at regarding the da...
October 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Tolkien on Tolkien (Diplomat article, 1966)
#1012
'Tolkien on Tolkien' is the title of an article published in Diplomat (October 1966) without Tolkien's permission. It was edited by an unknown editor fr...
11 October 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Clyde S. Kilby
#792
Carpenter #289b
Tolkien discusses his and Edith's Mediterranean cruise and the bust of him at the English Faculty in Oxford. Excerpts from the letter have been publishe...
17 October 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Class II G (of Acocks Green, Primary School)
#770
Tolkien writes about living near the school in his youth. He tells the class that a cheap paperback is available in the US but not currently in the UK. ...
24 November 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Professor [Harry C.] Bauer
#771
Professor Bauer had written asking Tolkien about Sinclair Lewis's Babbitt. Tolkien wonders if the name had some influence on the invention of 'hobbit'. ...
28 November 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Clyde S. Kilby
#900
Tolkien writes to Clyde S. Kilby making mention that he is pleased that Kilby has finally received the correct medication and says that he is yet to con...
8 December 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Marsh
#472
Tolkien writes to James S. Marsh and sends him three copies of his autograph to stick in his books.
12 December 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Joy Hill
#665
Carpenter #292
Tolkien had been sent details of a proposed ‘sequel’ to The Lord of the Rings that a ‘fan’ was going to write himself.
14 December 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Father [Hugh] Maycock
#791
Tolkien sends an inscribed copy of the Japanese Hobbit, it reads "With best wishes to Fr Hugh Maycock and Pusey House | Dec. 14. 1966" Tolkien inserted ...
29 December 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to James S. Marsh
#473
Tolkien writes to Mr Marsh about his collaboration with Donald Swann for the book The Road goes ever on and on.
1967
2 January 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Peyton Moss
#739
Tolkien sends some signatures to Mr Moss. This letter was orginally affixed by tape to the front of a 2nd edition LOTR, but was then removed from the bo...
5 January 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Joy Hill
#740
Joy has sent Tolkien a copy of The Children's Treasury of Literature, which includes a chapter from The Hobbit.
11 January 1967
George Allen & Unwin to Mario Ubaldini (Casa Editrice Astrolabio)
#1789
GA&U write to Mario Ubaldini of the publishers, Casa Editrice Agtrolabio-Ubaldini Editore, with details of Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. They give de...
8 February 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Charlotte and Denis Plimmer
#667
Carpenter #294
The Plimmers had recently interviewed Tolkien for the Daily Telegraph Magazine, and had now sent him a draft of their article, the finished version of w...
8 February 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Colin Manlove
#748
Tolkien writes about his essay "On Fairy Stories" and says that The Lord of the Rings was meant as a large-scale adult fairy story. Quoted in C. N. Manl...
27 Febuary 1967
Mario Ubaldini (Casa Editrice Astrolabio) to Alina Dadlez (George Allen and Unwin)
#1766
Ubaldini Editore s.r.l have decided to publish The Lord of the Rings in Italian and enquire about the terms.
14 March 1967
Mario Ubaldini (Casa Editrice Astrolabio) to Alina Dadlez (of GAU)
#1790
Writing to Alina Dadlez of GA&U, Mario Ubaldini encloses the signed copy of the contract for the Lord of the Rings. He asks for Tolkien's address so tha...
16 March 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Hans-Jörg Modlmayr
#798
Tolkien says he has not been informed as to the status of a German translation of The Lord of the Rings. He notes that a "proposed translator was turned...
21 March 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Humphrey Carpenter
#749
Tolkien writes to Humphrey to give permission for a play based on The Hobbit.
21 March 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Swann
#975
Tolkien sends background material for The Road Goes Ever On. He includes Galadriel's Lament and Chant written out "in a fair Elvish book-hand, rubricate...
23 March 1967
Alina Dadlez (of GAU) to Mario Ubaldini (Casa Editrice Astrolabio)
#1791
Alina Dadlez of GA&U sends Mario Ubaldini a countersigned copy of the contract for the Italian translation of the Lord of the Rings, noting they have re...
29 March 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to W.H. Auden
#668
Carpenter #295
Tolkien writes to W.H. Auden and remarks that he was delighted to receive his letter, noting that it "did much to restore my spirits". He was pleased th...
30 March 1967
Alina Dadlez (of GAU) to Mario Ubaldini (Casa Editrice Astrolabio)
#1792
Alina Dadlez writes to Mario Ubaldini to inform him that she has sent the illustrations by Pauline Baynes in a packaet, seperate to this letter. They ar...
9 May 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr [Oscar] Morland
#753
Tolkien writes to British ambassador Oscar Morland thanking him for his typed indexes, and that he will find them very useful when he has time to work o...
17 May 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to David Best
#996
In this letter Tolkien replies that he has received David's Tom Bombadil Part 1 in English runes and remarks that it is "very correct". This letter was ...
23 May 1967
Rayner Unwin to Mr Hooton
#754
Rayner writes to Mr Hooton about The Silmarillion. He describes Tolkien as "a perfectionist" and does not expect publication for a few years. He also st...
14 June 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Sister M. Anne
#1163
Replying to a letter from Sister Anne from St. Louis, Tolkien says he has no intention to write a sequel to The Lord of the Rings.
16 June 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr Hooton
#755
Tolkien writes to Mr Hooton about progress on The Silmarillion, which has been delayed due to the complications presented in the United States from the ...
12-13 July 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Swann
#979
Carpenter #295b
Tolkien does not like the calligraphy being made by Samuel Hanks Bryant as filler for blank pages in The Road Goes Ever On. Tolkien objects to Swann usi...
14 July 1967
Casa Editrice Astrolabio to Bando di Roma Bank
#1793
This letter from the publisher, Casa Editrice Astrolabio, to their bank instructing them to transfer the advance payment (£225) for their contract with...
21 July 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#669
Carpenter #296
Tolkien thanks Rayner for his friendship.
August 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr Rang
#670
Carpenter #297
At the top, Tolkien has written: ‘Some reflections in preparing an answer to a letter from one Mr Rang about investigations into my nomenclature. In t...
3 August 1967
Alina Dadlez (of GAU) to Mario Ubaldini (Casa Editrice Astrolabio)
#1794
Alina Dadlez writes to Mario Ubaldini in reply to his request for another copy of The Lord of the Rings. It is also mentioned that if they wish to use P...
28 August 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. S.E.O. Joukes
#801
Mr. Joukes had written to Tolkien suggesting that he would like to name his daughter Ioreth, to which replies that it means 'old woman' and includes som...
September 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to David Best
#997
A partial view of this letter was featured on the BBC's Repair Shop broadcast on 25th January 2023 (see reference). In the letter, Tolkien remarks on ru...
15 September 1967
Mario Ubaldini (Casa Editrice Astrolabio) to Alina Dadlez (George Allen and Unwin)
#1767
Tolkien's Italian publisher writes to Allen & Unwin about publishing Smith of Wootton Major, which they are interested in doing.
18 September 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Elsie Honeybourne
#756
Tolkien writes about the origins of the writer's name Honeybourne.
8 November 1967
Casa Editrice Astrolabio to Caro Venturini
#1796
Casa Editrice Astrolabio sends flyers to Caro Venturini asking that they be distributed among their booksellers. He notes that it is upto them to make t...
21 December 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Elsie Honeybourne
#761
Tolkien sends Honeybourne a copy of Smith of Wootton Major and makes mention of Elsie's name, Honeybourne. He mentions her "choice of passages" and agre...
1968
?Late 1968*
J.R.R. Tolkien to ?Unknown
#2247
Tolkien drafts a reply to a letter from a reader on the subject of Tom Bombadil and Treebeard. He says that Tom Bombadil is best left a mystery. He give...
8 January 1968
Tove Hansen to Pamela Chandler
#861
Tove Hansen, of the Danish publishers of Tolkien's publications writes a letter to Pamela Chandler. She asks for a small selection of photographs so tha...
14 February 1968
Leslie Megahey to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1718
Leslie Megahey of the BBC writes to Tolkien to thank him for his time over the previous week when he was filmed for the BBC's 'Tolkien in Oxford' film. ...
29 February 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Swann
#674
Carpenter #301
The BBC made a documentary programme, Tolkien in Oxford, which was filmed in early February and televised on 30 March 1968. Swann, whose musical setting...
6 March 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs. Beck
#802
Tolkien writes about the Ballantine posters, which he does not like.
23 May 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Robert Theodore Meyer
#1265
Tolkien autographs a copy of The Hobbit for Professor Meyer's son.
24 May 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mary Fairburn
#689
Mary Fairburn has sent some of her illustrations for The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien really likes them and thinks they could be in an illustrated version...
June 4, 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Colin Smythe
#361
On April 11, Colin Smythe wrote back to Tolkien, saying he will look for Winter's Tales For Children but hopes Tolkien could provide a new poem, and als...
August 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Ingrid Pridgeon
#736
Tolkien writes to Ingrid who lives at Spire Hollin. he gives her news of his health, he is recovering after breaking his leg in a fall down his stairs. ...
2 August 1968
Lynda Johnson Robb to J.R.R. Tolkien
#906
Tolkien receives a letter from Lynda Johnson Robb (from the White House) asking if he would possible be able to sign her book (The Hobbit). Robb had tak...
7 August 1968
RAI to Edizione Astrolabio
#1797
A short note giving details of a radio slot to publicise the Lord of the Rings which included an attachment with the review as read on radio. This revie...
August 12, 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Joy Hill
#2000
Tolkien writes to his secretary Joy Hill, addressing her as "Joy" for the first time here, previously using "Miss Hill". He is injured and staying at th...
4 September 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mary Fairburn
#690
A letter to Mary Fairburn about her illustrations for The Lord of the Rings - he has not yet shown her drawings to Rayner Unwin. He doesn't think an ill...
11 October 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien
#679
Carpenter #306
Tolkien writes to Michael about his trip to Switzerland and writes about his own trip in 1911. He also talks about 'trends' in the Catholic Church and h...
16 October 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Niall Hoskin
#738
Tolkien writes about his languages and talks about Westron or the Common Speech.
4 November 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mary Fairburn
#692
Letter to Mary Fairburn declining acquiring all of her pictures as he does not have wall space to hang them, but he is interested in her Mirror of Galad...
8 November 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Brown
#808
A secretarial letter with a PS from Tolkien who explains that he is too busy writing The Silmarillion to answer questions.
29 December 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien
#1501
Carpenter #307a
Writing to son Michael, Tolkien says he hopes he is doing better and has recovered from overwork. He says that he and Edith spent Christmas with daughte...
1969
1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Maria Mroczkowska
#812
Tolkien discusses the literary genres that he uses and his Atlantis complex.
2 January 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Amy Ronald
#682
Carpenter #309
Tolkien replies to a letter from Amy Ronald. He explains his names and the different ways that family and friends address him.
3 January 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Niall, David and Catherine McCall
#725
Tolkien sends some autographs for the McCall children to put in their books.
11 January 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Philip Neal
#1502
Carpenter #309a
Writing to a fan, who published a review of The Hobbit, Tolkien responds by saying that he enjoyed the review, and is sending him a little book but not ...
14 January 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Bell
#1172
Tolkien replies 13 years after Michael Bell had written to him. Bell had enclosed a book, An Idea to Win the World by Peter Harold. Tolkien explains tha...
15 January 1969
Joy Hill to Brian Sibley
#727
Tolkien's secretary, Joy Hill, returns Brian Sibley's copy of The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, which Tolkien has signed and hand-corrected one of the poems.
23 January 1969
Allen & Unwin (Joy Hill) to Michael Bell
#1175
Joy Hill writes to Michael Bell on behalf of Tolkien. She thanks him for his letter. She says that Tolkien is currently very busy and asks Mr. Bell's fo...
25 January 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Bell
#1174
Tolkien was delighted that his letter arrived safely and "so quickly", see #TCGLetter1172. This reply followed one from Joy Hill (#TCGLetter1175) where ...
10 March 1969
Joy Hill to Colin Smythe
#367
On March 7, Smythe wrote that he understands Tolkien's inability to contribute a poem, but Smythe would rather see The Silmarillion be published in any ...
15 March 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Amy Ronald
#458
Tolkien offers profuse thanks for her gift of five bottles. He says that his health and his wife Edith's are not good. They are looking forward to Sprin...
1 April 1969
Christopher Tolkien to J.C. Lobdell
#1017
Christopher writes to Mr Lobdell about his questions concerning his father. Did Christopher influence the Lord of the Rings? Is the dwarves' language as...
9 May 1969
Rayner Unwin to Pauline Baynes
#1253
Rayner Unwin of GA&U writes to Pauline Baynes. The poster of the map of Middle-earth in The Lord of the Rings has had enormous success. Allen & Unwin wo...
June 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Unknown
#810
Tolkien writes to an unknown recipient, offering opinions on an adaptation of The Lord of the Rings. He thinks nothing could satisfy an attentive reader...
30 June 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Paul Bibire
#811
Tolkien writes about Cynewulf and Glanduin.
1 August 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr Burrows
#729
Tolkien signs the dust-jacket of The Hobbit for Mr Burrows. Sold for £1300 at Bloomsbury Auctions Sale 614, 24th May 2007. Auction listing included a f...
1 October 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Pauline Baynes
#919
Tolkien writing to Pauline Baynes returns a photocopy of the Middle-earth map, with comments. The spelling Enedwaith is correct. He also apologizes for ...
16 October 1969
Miss Joy Hill to The Press
#985
GA&U Press Release: "George Allen & Unwin Ltd are pleased to announce the sale of the film and certain allied rights in J.R.R. Tolkien's famous book THE...
16 November 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Amy Ronald
#685
Carpenter #312
Tolkien discusses his love of botany.
25 November 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien
#686
Carpenter #313
Tolkien wishes he had an 'elven' grammar and vocabulary.
Late 1969 or January 1970
Joy Hill to Mike O'Brien
#2027
This letter was published in the letter column of the January 1970 issue (Volume Two, Number One) of Carandaith, the journal of the Australian Tolkien S...
1970
1 January 1970
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael George Tolkien
#387
Carpenter #315
Tolkien discusses his problems with progressing with the Silmarillion. An additional portion of the letter has been quoted on Michael Tolkien's website.
19 January 1970
Ernest Shepard to Mr. Haack
#821
Ernest Shepard was asked to illustrate The Lord of the Rings, but declines, as he has not read the book. He recommends a fellow illustrator in his place...
Summer or Autumn 1970
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr Wood
#278
Tolkien writes to Mr Wood and sends three copies of his signature on cards, stating that he should keep one for himself.
6 August 1970
J.R.R. Tolkien to Paula Coston (née Iley)
#1178
This letter was the third in a series of letters sold at Christie's but no details beyond those record in #TCGLetter700 and #TCGLetter726 are known.
10 September 1970
Rayner Unwin to Pauline Baynes
#1257
Rayner Unwin to Pauline Baynes writes that A Map of Middle-earth is selling well, and they already plan a reprint. They are now thinking of a poster map...
11 September 1970
J.R.R. Tolkien to Robert Burchfield
#279
Carpenter #316
Tolkien discusses an O.E.D. dictionary definition of Hobbit.
4 November 1970
Rayner Unwin to Pauline Baynes
#1258
Rayner Unwin to Pauline Baynes says that GA&U are very happy to commission the Hobbit map, entitled There and Back Again] as soon as she can fit it in, ...
27 November 1970
Rayner Unwin to Pauline Baynes
#1259
Rayner Unwin comments that they are delighted that Baynes will do the Hobbit map entitled 'There and Back Again'. There is no urgency and a few months d...
1971
8 January 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to Roger Lancelyn Green
#414
Carpenter #319
Tolkien writes to Roger about his thoughts on the origin of the word Hobbit.
25 January 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs Ruth Austin
#415
Carpenter #320
Tolkien discusses Galadriel. He notes that he owes much of her character to Catholocism and Christian teachings.
4 February 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to P. Rorke, S.J.
#416
Carpenter #321
Tolkien describes the Caverns of Helm's Deep as being influenced by Cheddar Gorge.
16 March 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to Tony Davison
#1664
Tolkien is very busy working on the Silmarillion but is very glad that his books have brought Davison enjoyment.
18 March 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to William Cater
#417
Carpenter #322
Tolkien writes about progress on the Silmarillion.
7 April 1971
Tolkien's Secretary to Randy Trimmer
#822
Tolkien sends a standard form reply to Mr. Trimmer, apologising for not being able to write anything personal as he is working on The Silmarillion. This...
26 May 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to Dorothy Wood
#443
Among the subjects included in this letter to his cousin, Dorothy Wood, Tolkien has asked Allen & Unwin to send her a copy of the India paper edition of...
4-5 June 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to Graham Tayar
#419
Carpenter #324
Tolkien writes about about the use of the name ‘Gamgee’ in The Lord of the Rings, and whether the name ‘Gondor’ had been suggested by Gondar in ...
14 June 1971
Tolkien's Secretary to Mr. Ballard
#291
Tolkien apologises for not sending a personal reply and explains that he is to busy with the Silmarillion to answer personal questions.
1st July 1971
Joy Hill to Jan Bosmans
#1051
Joy Hill tries to dissuade a student from writing his thesis about The Lord of the Rings due to the immense amount of unpublished material he doesn't ha...
17 July 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to Roger Lancelyn Green
#420
Carpenter #325
Tolkien writes about Aman and what happens to mortals, such as Frodo, when they go there. In a portion published in the C.S. Lewis Biography by Green To...
17 July 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to A.I. Mackay
#1081
Tolkien thanks Mr Mackay for a chart and information that he sent him about Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
9 August 1971
Rayner Unwin to Pauline Baynes
#1260
Rayner Unwin has sent via Joy Hill blowups from the The Lord of the Rings of area the There and Back Again map would need to cover. It has much some det...
Autumn 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to Carole Batten-Phelps
#422
Carpenter #328
Tolkien talks about The Lord of the Rings and confesses that he feels it no longer belongs to him.
15 September 1971
Rayner Unwin to Pauline Baynes
#1261
Rayner Unwin notes that GA&U are delighted with There and Back Again map and that Tolkien is unqualified in his praise. ‘He loved your visit . . . des...
October 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to Peter Szabó Szentmihályi
#423
Carpenter #329
Tolkien shares his views on author's biographies.
8 November 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien
#1508
Carpenter #330a
Tolkien writes to Michael about how little time he has to work on The Silmarillion and about any prospects of feature films, he believes that no films w...
December 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to Patient in Broadmoor Hospital
#1509
Carpenter #331a
Tolkien discusses Hobbits and mentions that he will be in an upcoming edition of The Sunday Times. Broadmoor Hospital is a high-security psychiatric hos...
1972
23 April 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Suzanne Eward
#830
Tolkien writes to Suzanne Eward stating his love of the "West Midlands". He will certainly donate copies of his work to the Gloucester Cathedral Library...
5 May 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Suzanne Eward
#831
Tolkien sends a typed letter dated 5 May 1972, stating that he had ordered from publishers Allen & Unwin the three volumes of Lord of the Rings and The ...
18 May 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Salmon
#429
Carpenter #335
Tolkien explains that he does not have time to comment on his works.
?6 June 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Fr. Douglas Carter
#432
Carpenter #338
Tolkien discusses the question, did the Ents ever find the Entwives?
30 June 1972 (published 4 July)
J.R.R. Tolkien to The Daily Telegraph
#49
Carpenter #339
Tolkien writes to the Daily Telegraph newspaper about an editorial which they published on the 29th June 1972. He objects to having his name used as an ...
11 July 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#433
Carpenter #340
Tolkien writes to Christopher about Edith, her headstone, his thoughts of her as Lúthien and a visit to GA&U's headquarters.
27 July 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Help the Aged Housing Association (Tolkien's Desk)
#833
Tolkien's desk where he wrote parts of The Lord of the Rings and entirety of The Hobbit, so said by Tolkien himself. A photocopy of the letter with a co...
9 November 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs Meriel Thurston
#435
Carpenter #342
Tolkien is asked about Elvish names for bulls and herds of cattle.
21 November 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Sterling Lanier
#436
Carpenter #343
Tolkien describes his use for a drinking goblet sent to him, inscribed with the One Ring inscription. Published (in part) as letter 343 from The Letters...
23 November 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edmund Meskys
#437
Carpenter #344
Tolkien talks about numerals in The Lord of the Rings. A photocopy with a complete transcript is held at the Marquette archives.
23 November 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Glover
#1514
Carpenter #343a
Tolkien declines to discuss C.S. Lewis and states that he is still trying to work on The Silmarillion.
30 November 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs Meriel Thurston
#438
Carpenter #345
A continuation of #Letter342, where Tolkien continues to discuss naming animals.
13 December 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Lyle Leach
#439
Carpenter #346
Tolkien expounds upon Gandalf's statement "He that breaks a thing to find out what it is have left the path of wisdom" when responding to someones "dest...
17 December 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Richard Jeffery
#384
Carpenter #347
A reply to the following questions: (1) Does ‘Speak, friend, and enter’ (the inscription over Moria Gate) mean ‘Speak as a friend’, i.e. in a fr...
1973
Not dated (January 1973)
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss T.R.C.
#1503
Carpenter #347a
Tolkien details his thoughts on a recent article about him in a paper, and what he thought should have been written about. He then tells the respondent ...
Jan 4, 1973
Joy Hill to Phil Rose
#1042
Joy Hill responds to a fan query about The Silmarillion, saying that for death duty (tax) reasons, it cannot be published while he is alive.
17 January 1973
Tolkien's secretary to Mr. N.J. Kyle
#313
Tolkien's secretary writing on behalf of Tolkien, sats that he is very busy and cannot write letters currently.
18 January 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. [Claës-Göran] Uggla
#317
Tolkien writes about a cutting in the Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter and his influence by the American fantasy writer James Branch Cabell.
24 January 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien to Sterling Lanier
#835
Carpenter #347b
Tolkien writes, thanking Lanier for the book The War for the Lot by Lanier himself. Tolkien says that he found it quite original, and frightening. Tolki...
6 March 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs Catharine Findlay
#385
Carpenter #348
Tolkien responds an enquiry about Galadriel.
29 March 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Giusti
#1800
Tolkien writes to a reader giving an update on his next book, The Silmarillion "which is already written but in need of revision".
7 May 1973
Tolkien's Secretary to J. Bryce Milligan
#841
Reply of thanks. Mention of The Silmarillion being "far from complete".
30 May 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien to Brown
#376
Tolkien sends a postcard accepting a request to sign a copy of The Lord of the Rings even though he has told everyone that he will not do this.
5 June 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien to Ungfrú Aðalsteinsdottir
#381
Carpenter #352
Tolkien is pleased that The Hobbit is being translated into Icelandic.
8 July 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien to Canon Norman S. Power
#843
Tolkien sends Canon Power a signature with a copy of a publication. He mentions his childhood, growing up in Birmingham, and J. H. Shorthouse's book Joh...
28 July 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien to Professor Campbell
#348
Tolkien was awarded an honorary degree from the University of Edinburgh. Tolkien writes to Doctor Campbell about how much he enjoyed his visit to Edinbu...
4 August 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien to Lord Halsbury
#380
Carpenter #353
Tolkien writes about his current views on Galadriel which changed frequently through out his life.
1974
21 June 1974
Christopher Tolkien to J.C. Lobdell
#1020
Christopher agrees to produce a new version of Notes on Nomenclature and for Lobdell to publish them in his book A Tolkien Compass.
1978
11 January 1978
Christopher Tolkien to Francisco Perrúa
#76
Christopher Tolkien replies to Francisco Perrúa, the Spanish translator of his fathers work, 6 months after he received a letter from him about his wor...
31 January 1978
Christopher Tolkien to Francisco Perrúa
#877
Christopher Tolkien replies to Perrúa who had written to tell him that he had handed over the work of Las Dos Toores to Senora Matilde Horne. Christoph...
20th October, 1978
Rayner Unwin to Bernie Zuber
#781
Rayner Unwin thanks Bernie Zuber and the membership of the World Science Fiction Convention for awarding J.R.R. Tolkien with the "Gandalf Award" in 1977...
1980
28 October 1980
Pauline Baynes to Mr King
#1971
Pauline Baynes replies to a reader and says she will be delighted to sign the "Map of Narnia" for them. She mentions that it was she who suggested the m...
1986
11 May 1986
Christopher Tolkien to Marquette University
#643
Christopher Tolkien writes to Marquette University regarding his fathers manuscripts saying that "clearly, the integration of the two sets of papers wil...
1992
17 May 1992
Christopher Tolkien to Mr. Livesey
#865
Christopher Tolkien discusses a detail in a letter from Mr. Livesey saying that "The difficulty with the explanantion you propose is that following the ...
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