It seems sad to me that such items keep cropping up; an unknowing buyer will inevitably purchase them.
Tolkien did, in fact, write a lot of letters to fans and friends, but to me these items seem so unlike Tolkien, and to be frankly honest, quite pathetic. Of all the images of Tolkien letters I've managed to gather, blue ink is certainly less common in his letter writing. In addition, most of his letters written using blue ink are entirely handwritten. Also, the type of blue ink or perhaps it is the signature itself seems rather heavy-handed.
The paperback book seems even more dubious to me as Tolkien signed very few paperback copies.
I inquired about the provenance of these items; I'll post the response if the seller responds.
Tolkien did, in fact, write a lot of letters to fans and friends, but to me these items seem so unlike Tolkien, and to be frankly honest, quite pathetic. Of all the images of Tolkien letters I've managed to gather, blue ink is certainly less common in his letter writing. In addition, most of his letters written using blue ink are entirely handwritten. Also, the type of blue ink or perhaps it is the signature itself seems rather heavy-handed.
The paperback book seems even more dubious to me as Tolkien signed very few paperback copies.
I inquired about the provenance of these items; I'll post the response if the seller responds.
Well, here is what the seller sent me:
"I purchased these items from and [sic] English dealer. I would suggest that you go to ABE Books and search under Tolkien signed for samples of Tolkien's signature. There are presently two letters listed from the same time period on his distinctive small pieces of paper for $3,500.00."
"I purchased these items from and [sic] English dealer. I would suggest that you go to ABE Books and search under Tolkien signed for samples of Tolkien's signature. There are presently two letters listed from the same time period on his distinctive small pieces of paper for $3,500.00."
Findegil - that's an excellent story, about Rayner Unwin.
Jlong - I suppose you could in turn suggest to the seller that he visits this site.
>grin<
Jlong - I suppose you could in turn suggest to the seller that he visits this site.
>grin<
Hello
A great story Findegil. I liked reading that more than the letter for sure.
I find it such a shame that items like this are around but guess thats what money does for you. I suspect all these letters come from the same source (Chris/Milford connection). No doubt more to follow. I asked question too, await answer with interest.
A great story Findegil. I liked reading that more than the letter for sure.
I find it such a shame that items like this are around but guess thats what money does for you. I suspect all these letters come from the same source (Chris/Milford connection). No doubt more to follow. I asked question too, await answer with interest.
Hello all
Another signed item from the same seller - no doubt from same source
and guess what? Blue ink !
Again looks poor to me but posted here just so all aware
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Signed-J-R-R-To ... tible?hash=item2ea98cc0e9
Another signed item from the same seller - no doubt from same source
and guess what? Blue ink !
Again looks poor to me but posted here just so all aware
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Signed-J-R-R-To ... tible?hash=item2ea98cc0e9
Found another one of those letters with a blue signature. Looks like the other "fakes" to me.
http://www.autographauctions.co.uk/bi ... p?SaleRef=0009&LotRef=450
http://www.autographauctions.co.uk/bi ... p?SaleRef=0009&LotRef=450
Hello all
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/A-TOLKIEN-SIGNE ... tible?hash=item439c045ad6
Here is yet another signed items from the same ebay seller highlighted previously- yes in blue ink.
My good nature is still trying to keep an open mind on these letters. I now see the seller has very kindly taken a photo of the watermark - the previous letters did not have the watermark?
Is the date bit looking right?
Any thoughts from you experts, not that i am thinking of bidding- just curoius i guess but they do look ot be getting better!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/A-TOLKIEN-SIGNE ... tible?hash=item439c045ad6
Here is yet another signed items from the same ebay seller highlighted previously- yes in blue ink.
My good nature is still trying to keep an open mind on these letters. I now see the seller has very kindly taken a photo of the watermark - the previous letters did not have the watermark?
Is the date bit looking right?
Any thoughts from you experts, not that i am thinking of bidding- just curoius i guess but they do look ot be getting better!
And also from the same eBay seller is this allegedly autographed (in blue ink) Return of the King:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/A-TOLKIEN-SIGNE ... tible?hash=item439c046fb1
The letter supposedly to Mrs Gasch (Pauline Baynes) fits into the known chronology (possibly thanks to Scull and Hammond, not what we meant to enable), but one has to wonder why Tolkien would twice misspell his publisher's name, why Tolkien would be acting as secretary or agent for Allen & Unwin when A&U always wrote this kind of letter themselves, why this should be a typed letter when all of Tolkien's known letters to Pauline (we've handled them) are manuscript, not to mention the usual problems of atypical typewriting, layout, etc., and the curious use of 'finalise' which we expect Tolkien would have considered substandard English.
Once again, it's interesting to look at the seller's other items offered on eBay. These include a questionable T.S. Eliot autograph in the Practical Cats and a tambourine, of all things, supposedly from T.E. Lawrence's home Clouds Hill and autographed by both Lawrence and Winston Churchill. Lots of blue ink, naturally.
Wayne and Christina
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/A-TOLKIEN-SIGNE ... tible?hash=item439c046fb1
The letter supposedly to Mrs Gasch (Pauline Baynes) fits into the known chronology (possibly thanks to Scull and Hammond, not what we meant to enable), but one has to wonder why Tolkien would twice misspell his publisher's name, why Tolkien would be acting as secretary or agent for Allen & Unwin when A&U always wrote this kind of letter themselves, why this should be a typed letter when all of Tolkien's known letters to Pauline (we've handled them) are manuscript, not to mention the usual problems of atypical typewriting, layout, etc., and the curious use of 'finalise' which we expect Tolkien would have considered substandard English.
Once again, it's interesting to look at the seller's other items offered on eBay. These include a questionable T.S. Eliot autograph in the Practical Cats and a tambourine, of all things, supposedly from T.E. Lawrence's home Clouds Hill and autographed by both Lawrence and Winston Churchill. Lots of blue ink, naturally.
Wayne and Christina
The watermark looks wrong as well to me in the final picture.
According to this article
http://www.conqueror.com/generic_cont ... erbrandsdouble%20page.pdf
on the Conqueror web site, up until 1970 the watermark had the tower and the words Conqueror and London. London was dropped in 1970, so this paper looks like it may have been made after 1970. The letter is dated 1962.
According to this article
http://www.conqueror.com/generic_cont ... erbrandsdouble%20page.pdf
on the Conqueror web site, up until 1970 the watermark had the tower and the words Conqueror and London. London was dropped in 1970, so this paper looks like it may have been made after 1970. The letter is dated 1962.