Latin Literature by J.W. Mackail - From Tolkien's Library

This book is listed for sale from Raptis Rare Books.

Latin Literature: From the Library of J.R.R. Tolkien.
Mackail, J.W. [J.R.R. Tolkien].
$9,500.00
Item Number: 103541
London: John Murray, 1906.

First edition, early impression of Mackail’s standard Latin textbook. J.R.R. Tolkien’s copy with two ownership inscriptions to the front free endpaper, the first of which is in an early hand in all capital letters, “J.R.R. Tolkien Class I. KEHS October 1st 1907” and a later inscription with a cursive signature, “Oct. 1909 J.R.R. Tolkien.” Octavo, original cloth with gilt titles to the spine. Tolkien was raised in Edgbaston, Birmingham and attended King Edward’s School from 1900-1911. The dates of the inscriptions are of particular importance as they mark the flowering of Tolkien’s interest in language; during these years he would begin the development of his first fictional languages, based largely on his studies of Anglo-Saxon and Latin with the present volume. In very good condition. The text has been crossed out by a subsequent owner.

Signatures from the time when Tolkien was in King Edward's are scarce, and unusual in how they differ from his later, more practiced ownership signatures. The variety of styles from this time period is interesting to me, as they show him experimenting and trying to find what would eventually become his well known signature style.

This book is not yet listed in Oronzo Cilli's book Tolkien's Library.