New Letter from Tolkien found between books
5 Feb, 2010
(edited)
2010-2-5 1:55:09 PM UTC
2010-2-5 1:55:09 PM UTC
I was totally flabbergasted when I went through the estate of my aunt and found an old envelop stamped in Oxford 31st, December 1964. Enclosed was a letter from J.R.R.Tolkien to the pupils of my aunt. My aunt was a primary schoolteacher and must have had contact with Tolkien. The letter is printed on Tolkien stationary and is signed.
It says:
Dear Children,
Thank you very much indeed for writing to me to say that you have enjoyed reading my books. It is always pleasant for an author to learn that his work has given pleasure.
I was particularly interested to know that you have not only read "The Hobbit" and " The Lord of the Rings" in your own language, but that they are helping you to learn English as well. And Miss Korff tells me that you have painted water-colours of many scenes from these stories.
I hope that the books will continue to give you pleasure, and I wish you all much success in your studies.
Yours sincerely
J.R.R.Tolkien
Does any body of you know what such a letter is worth and how to connect to a collector?
It says:
Dear Children,
Thank you very much indeed for writing to me to say that you have enjoyed reading my books. It is always pleasant for an author to learn that his work has given pleasure.
I was particularly interested to know that you have not only read "The Hobbit" and " The Lord of the Rings" in your own language, but that they are helping you to learn English as well. And Miss Korff tells me that you have painted water-colours of many scenes from these stories.
I hope that the books will continue to give you pleasure, and I wish you all much success in your studies.
Yours sincerely
J.R.R.Tolkien
Does any body of you know what such a letter is worth and how to connect to a collector?
that you have not only read "The Hobbit" and " The Lord of the Rings" in your own language
I'm not sure if I understand this correctly. Does "in your own language" mean that the children have read German translations (the letter is addressed to a school in Germany) of The Hobbit and LotR? The first German translation of LotR was published in 1969/70 but this letter dates back to 1964. That's five years before the German translation was published.
But maybe I don't get the point
André wrote:that you have not only read "The Hobbit" and " The Lord of the Rings" in your own language
I'm not sure if I understand this correctly. Does "in your own language" mean that the children have read German translations (the letter is addressed to a school in Germany) of The Hobbit and LotR? The first German translation of LotR was published in 1969/70 but this letter dates back to 1964. That's five years before the German translation was published.
But maybe I don't get the point
First of all thanks a lot for the quick replies!
Well that is interesting. He possibly meant only the Hobbit (first published in Germany 1957) - Hm...
Or my aunt did her own translation ? Or he misunderstood?
Unfortunately I do not know the original letter from her. Maybe some collector has her letter, that would certainly help.
Well the date is clear on the letter and the envelop.
109
16609