- a book review by Tom Shippey

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203370604577263461822435588.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

- wellinghall

Robert Giddings, author of Tolkien-related books "This Far Land" and "The Shores of Middle-earth", has died.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/theguardian/2012/mar/23/robert-giddings-obituary

- wellinghall

An article by Rick Gekoski, author of "Tolkien's Gown"

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/mar/28/rare-book-collecting-dealing

- wellinghall

Dr Richard Brown, from the University of Leeds, will preside over a look at experimental languages, including Tolkien’s Elvish, Orwell’s Newspeak and Joyce’s Finnegan’s Wake, at Headingley’s North Lane library on March 21.

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/latest-news/top-stories/2012_headingley_litfest_set_to_be_bigger_and_better_1_4264176

- wellinghall

Chatterton's forged manuscripts created an imaginary persona and a pseudo-medieval 'secondary' world. The impact on his career can be compared to that of Macpherson's Ossian poems, and other comtemporary feigned documents, often linked to the pursuit of national identity. J.R.R. Tolkien's 'secondary' world of Middle-earth can be read as part of the same legacy of forged/faked/feigned manuscripts, giving his invented cosmos a sense of historically that goes beyond imagination. This talk will therefore explore the tensions between 'real' and imaginary, feigned and forged, history and fantasy.  With Dr Dimitra Fimi (University of Wales Institue, Cardiff).

http://mshed.org/whats-on/events/uwe-history-seminar-15-march/

- wellinghall

"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

' 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

Please note that he is offering a nice 10% discount to all readers, just use the coupon code TCG10OFF when you check out. Happy collecting!

TCG: When did you first discover Tolkien’s writings?

Well, that would technically be back in the late 1970’s when my father first read to
me The Hobbit. I would have been 5 or 6 years old at the time. It wasn’t until I was
a little older that I would read The Lord of the Rings. But honestly, I don’t think I
truly ‘discovered’ Tolkien until I read The Silmarillion in my early 20’s. I was blown away
by the stories in The Silmarillion, and subsequent re-reads of The Hobbit and The Lord
of the Rings got so much better after reading that book.

TCG: Was there one particular book that drew you into collecting?

Yes, it would have to have been the 1999 Harper Collins Deluxe Edition of The Hobbit.
It wasn’t long after buying my copy that I picked up the matching Lord of the Rings and
Silmarillion. I had always loved reading, but having those deluxe editions on my shelf
made me realize how much I enjoyed fine books, not only for the content, but as a piece
of art, if you will.

TCG: Why did you decide to start Telperion Books?

Over the years, my collection grew, and I occasionally found a need to sell books. Most
of the time, I would sell a few books so that I could afford to buy more books. After a
while, I began to realize that I really enjoyed buying and selling, and simply having the
opportunity to see a lot of rare books. However, I grew frustrated with online auctions,
for a myriad of reasons, and decided to look into starting my own web store.

I started my business back in February of this year. It took a little while to get off the
ground, but it’s come along nicely. Telperion Books gives me the opportunity to display
my collection, offer items for sale and trade, and provide a service that is more personal
and friendly than the online auction environment.

TCG: What is your favorite aspect of collecting and dealing Tolkien books?

I really enjoy the details. I love to research, and I am always astounded by just how
much has been uncovered on the early publishing history of Tolkien’s works. These
details are what you need to know as a collector to be successful. I have a deep
appreciation for those who have dedicated so much time to scour archives and records,
and compare countless copies of books to determine all of the defining points. I know
that I owe a lot of lucky finds to the knowledge I’ve gained from such folk.

I’ve met a lot of great people in general through collecting, many through the forum here
at The Tolkien Collector’s Guide. There are some seriously knowledgeable members
here. In my opinion, TCG is the premiere site for serious Tolkien collectors, and an
invaluable resource.