"The former heads of Manches’ IP litigation and publishing and media groups have joined forces to launch a boutique specialising in IP, media and entertainment law and dispute resolution. Ex-Manches IP litigation head Steven Maier and the firm’s former head of publishing and media Cathleen Blackburn formed Maier Blackburn which commenced operation on 1 January 2012. Specialising in publishing, media and entertainment law, the two-partner firm will serve international publishers, authors and rights holders across the UK, Europe and the US.

Clients include the JRR Tolkien Estate for which Blackburn is the retained worldwide legal adviser. The firm will also advise organisations in the arts, museums and heritage sectors. Maier had been a partner at Manches for 20 years while Blackburn joined the firm’s partnership in 1997 after its merger with legacy firm Morrell Peel & Gamlen (29 July 1997). Following the duo’s departure, Manches has consolidated its publishing and digital media capability with the hire of partner Sam De Silva from South East firm Taylor Walton to lead its technology and outsourcing practice."

http://www.thelawyer.com/manches-duo-split-off-to-form-media-boutique/1010964.article

- wellinghall

The item sold for $4784.40 US(£3073) at RR Auction

Lot number 611 - Tolkien TLS (Typed Letter Signed)

TLS signed “J.R.R. Tolkien,” one page, 8 x 10, November 14, 1962. Letter to H. Cotton Minchin. In full: “It was nice to hear from you again and I was most interested in your letter. What you say about America is very illuminating. I am afraid you may be disappointed in the new book, which is only a collection of verses with illustrations. I have still in hand the further matter of the ‘Lord of the Rings’ world, but I have been perforce engaged on other things for some time. Do not worry too much about Philip Toynbee. Few good reviews can have done me so much commercial benefit. So many people rose up to slay him that the noise was nearly as good as a new book. I am very puzzled by your reference to an ‘organization’–similar to the Reprint Society–which had taken on the ‘Lord of the Rings.’ It is news to me; there is no need of any such thing. The original edition continues to sell as well as it ever did.” Tolkien adds a brief closing sentiment. In fine condition, with central horizontal and vertical fold, vertical fold passing through a single initial, a couple vertical creases to left side, and two rusty paperclip marks to top edge.

In this letter to H. Cotton Minchin, editor of The Legion Book (1929), Tolkein dismissed The Observer’s Toynbee's panning of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The famed British literary critic had written off the series in 1961 as “dull, ill-written, whimsical and childish” and continued by announcing that “those books have passed into merciful oblivion.” The comments prior to the 1962 release of the paperback publication in the United States could have devastated sales in America, but the author was wise enough to know his fans when he wrote “Few good reviews can have done me so much commercial benefit.” Millions of copies sold upon its release. Today, Lord of the Rings ranks as the third-best selling novel ever written with over 150 million copies sold. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.

' LONG-lost letters written by Lord of the Rings author JRR Tolkien have been returned to their rightful owner and will get top notch protection.

Former Oxford University student and professor, Tolkien was the guest of honour at the opening of Deddington Library in December 1956.

He wrote one letter accepting librarian Miss Stanley-Smith’s invitation, including lunch, which he said: “was impossible for him to refuse”.

And a second letter following the visit, on December 19, where he thanked the librarian for her kindness, but said he was “depressed by his performance” which was “wretched and inadequate” and he did not deserve a fee.

In the letter, Tolkien also promised to give a volume of his next book to the library.

In 2000, the two letters were loaned to Oxfordshire County Council’s museum service for exhibitions across the county, but were never returned.

The council said that it could not clarify why the letters were not returned at the time.

But it said they had been stored “safely and in appropriate conditions”.

Now returned to the library, the letters will get the ultimate protection after Deddington's police station moved into the building, at the Old Court House, in Horsefair, as part of a cost-saving initiative for both organisations.

Current librarian Stella O’Neill said: “I’m thrilled to have copies of the letters on display in the library.

“I often have tourists here expecting to see some plaque of dedication or some information relating to Tolkien here, so it will be really lovely to have something to point them to in the future.

“The framed letters have started to gather interest and have been much admired by the visitors to the library this week.

“It’s lovely to have such an important link to such an amazing author.” '

http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/9432878.Tolkien_letters_return_to_rightful_home/

- wellinghall

Added Picture of Letters from http://www.banburyguardian.co.uk/lifestyle/what-s-on/new_crime_section_opens_at_deddington_library_1_3360483 and added Morgan's link from the comments http://www.deddingtonnews.co.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/8080/Tolkien.pdf
- Trotter