Dominic Winters Auction December 16th

Tolkien (J.R.R.) Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, 13th impression, 1963; The Two Towers, 10th impression, 1963; The Return of the King, 10th impression, 1963, folding map at end of each, bookplates of Suzanne Eward, all edges gilt, original black cloth, spines lettered in gilt, 8vo, together with The Hobbit, 5th impression, 1970, and The Silmarillion, 1st edition, 1977, with two letters to Suzanne Eward from J.R.R. Tolkien, one a 2 pp. autograph letter dated April 23 1972 on Merton College Oxford headed paper donating the above Lord of the Rings and Hobbit to Gloucester Cathedral Library, "I protest that your letter seemed to me neither an impertinence nor a presumption, but a very high compliment. All the more welcome as coming from Gloucester. My love is given above all other regions to the 'West Midlands', in which I lived as a child. My mother belonged to a Worcestershire family; my wife to one of Staffordshire, though she was actually born in Gloucester, and later lived for some years in Cheltenham... I will certainly present copies of any of my works which the Dean and Chapter think worthy of Including in their library. I suggest that copies of each of the 3 vols of the Revised Edition would be more suitable than the later 1 vol. edn. on India paper. Also that this should be accompanied by a copy of The Hobbit: in the reprint of the edn. with coloured illustrations (which was mostly burned up in the Blitz of London)... With regards to signature, to avoid the trouble and expense of postages I usually send inscribed labels of which I enclose a specimen... with best wishes, yours sincerely J.R.R. Tolkien", with the signed label, inscribed "Presented to the Gloucester Cathedral Library by J.R.R. Tolkien" folds and a few minor spots to the letter; the other letter a 1 pp. typed letter signed, dated 5th May 1972, stating that he had ordered from publishers Allen & Unwin the three volumes of Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit to be sent to the Dean and Chapter of Gloucester Cathedral Library, plus four signed labels (not present here), and a postscript "I am sorry that it is not possible to find copies of the first editions for presentation", folds and a few spots, both letters contained in the original envelopes

(Qty: 7)

The recipient of the books and letters was Suzanne Mary Edward(sic), former Librarian and Keeper of the Muniments at Gloucester Cathedral and Wells, and latterly at Salisbury Cathedral.

Tolkien (J.R.R.) The Fellowship of the Ring, 8th impression, 1959, folding map at end, top edge red, original red cloth, 8vo

(Qty: 1)

Signed by the author on a small blank sheet of paper tipped-in to half title

Tolkien (J.R.R.) The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, 5th impression, 1956; The Two Towers, 2nd impression, 1955; The Return of the King, 2nd impression, 1955, folding map at end of each, previous owner signature to Fellowship front endpaper, a couple of small stains to one or two endpapers, top edges red, original red cloth gilt, dust jackets, some fading to spine lettering, a few chips, tears and stains, 8vo

(Qty: 3)