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Michael Tolkien Books [Beowulf]

14 Jan, 2011 (edited)
2011-1-14 9:22:33 PM UTC

I just bought a few MHRT books off eBay; I'm sure others saw the listing. Nothing unusual. Just wondered if others had seen the little symbol (top right corner) on MHRT bookplate(s) before? And, the meaning: from CT? (--as the seller claimed.)

Additionally, other than the bookplates, I'm not familiar with Michael Tolkien's handwriting. There are many notes throughout (not uncommon with this type of book), and several loose jottings. I've posted one of these. I have no reason to think these are Michael's, but just thought I'd seek opinions. He obviously saw fit to keep them with the book in any case.

BH

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15 Jan, 2011
2011-1-15 10:45:33 PM UTC
Fascinating - and, no! I didn't see the listing... (goshdarn it). What other books did you buy, may I ask?

As for the bookplate - I guess the monogram could read 'C.J.R.T. ' - though I've never seen one like it.

I have a couple of examples of Michael Hilary's handwriting. They don't look like the jottings you've shown here. Whose are they? I don't know. possibly Christopher's? Or possibly the jottings of Michael George Tolkien, JRRT's grandson? As I say; fascinating stuff!
15 Jan, 2011
2011-1-15 11:30:14 PM UTC
There are three or four other loose sheets, one full A4 running to both sides. I only posted this jotting because (although obviously not) it looks vaguely Tolkien-esque in style. However, it clearly isn't Michael's handwriting; & the notes are not in the copy marked as (possibly) from Christopher. Although the other copy is also a Michael bookplate copy. Garm, the books are just the two in the eBay listing...

BH
15 Jan, 2011
2011-1-15 11:36:28 PM UTC
Uh-huh. Thing is, I haven't seen the ebay listing, and as I can't remember my password, I can't find 'completed items'.
15 Jan, 2011
2011-1-15 11:40:58 PM UTC
Just follow my link garm, in the original post (the word "eBay" is the link)...
15 Jan, 2011
2011-1-15 11:50:05 PM UTC
Ah, thanks. Didn't see that..
16 Jan, 2011
2011-1-16 12:31:47 AM UTC
I had seen it... but someone outbid me ;) - and I did not feel to go and bid against my fellow Tolkien friends!
16 Jan, 2011
2011-1-16 5:00:47 AM UTC
Congratulations Khumul,

I also bidded on this item. I am glad you were the one to outbid me. Although the pictures you have posted are making me wish I had gone after the book with a higher bid, but I was torn between this book and anotheritem at the same time.

I have a second printing of Tom Bombadil signed by Michael Tolkien and a small inscription, but it doesn't look anything like the examples that you have shown.

Does anyone have examples of Christopher's handwritting to compare?

Dior
16 Jan, 2011
2011-1-16 9:16:42 AM UTC
What about John Francis Tolkien? I see the J, the F and the T so I guess this is quite a possible solution?
16 Jan, 2011
2011-1-16 9:39:35 AM UTC
I have a handful of books from Fr. John's library. One of them has a monogram, but it doesn't look like the one on Khamul's book. The top bar of the 'F' is above the bar of the 'T', in order to make it distinct.
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