According to Deagol's website (info from A Descriptive Bibliography, p. 386), the magazine Show Vol.1 No.1. January 1970 includes excerpts from an interview with Tolkien (in Philip Norman's article "Lord of the Flicks").

Trying to find a copy for sale of this publication, I discovered this listing on Amazon.com. Being cautious I asked a seller if Norman's article was included but got a negative answer. Am I just looking at a similarly entitled magazine?

As ever - many thanks, Findegil!

Following another clue, I was actually about to order Roots and Branches, since a quote from that collection (provided by geordie on another website) indicates that Shippey makes a reference to the letter there as well. (Not saying that Roots and Branches isn't still on my wishlist!)

As for Arda 1987 (vol. VII): it's not so easy to obtain, and perhaps I should recommend anyone interested to contact Beregond, Anders Stenström to order a copy (I myself bought this and other volumes of the annual Arda from him about two years ago - you won't hardly ever find them on eBay!). Just PM me if you want help to contact Beregond.

A detail (which nonetheless appears as a small enigma to me), is why Tolkien's letter from April 1970 to Tom Shippey is given an uncertain date ("?12 (received 13)") in the J.R.R. Tolkien Companion and Guide: Chronology, p. 749.

Shippey writes (in his Preface to the Second Edition, The Road to Middle-earth): "... the letter Professor Tolkien wrote to me on 13 April 1970". It seems like I'm missing some other reference to this letter - anyone knows where I can find it? Is the letter undated, or is it perhaps Shippey's ambiguous wording which has led to the uncertain dating in the Chronology?

Well, ebay has this (apparently same item) for US $39.99.





The Tolkien Shop has this (a similar item) for €30.00.

It went for only EUR 34.90 - a bargain! Anyone here got it?