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Guide to Tolkien's Letters
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Guide to Tolkien's Letters

This Guide documents and indexes known letters to, from and about J. R. R. Tolkien. The corpus of Tolkien's letters is vast, but references have previously been spread across hundreds of books, catalogues and archives. New information and new features are being added regularly to continually improve this Guide.

The Guide is meant to help answer questions such as - which archive or reference holds the original letter? What is the letter about? Where has the letter been quoted or reproduced?

This Guide does not publish the contents or photographs of the letters as they are all under copyright by the author(s). In the case of letters written by J.R.R. Tolkien, the copyright belongs with the Tolkien Estate, and they must be contacted for permission to quote from or reproduce Tolkien's letters. For more information, see www.tolkienestate.com/frequently-asked-questions-and-links/

Do you have information about a letter or own an unpublished letter that should be in this Guide? Please Contact Us, we would love to hear from you.

Additional Links relating to this Guide

With the recent release of the revised and expanded Letters, we have put together this quick guide to the changes made in the new edition. TCG Guide to Carpenters Revised Tolkien Letters Changes 2023-11-09.pdf
Recent Additions to the Guide


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Letters written by J.R.R. Tolkien

(1223 letters match)

1913

January 1913 (after 3 January but no later than 7 January)
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Tolkien

Tolkien replies to Ediths letter and they arrange to meet on 8 January. This letter, although not dated, was written shortly after Tolkiens letter at mi...
3 January 1913
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt

Tolkien commenced this letter at midnight declaring that his love for Edith had not changed in the last three years since they were separated and that h...
15 January 1913
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt

Tolkien writes to Edith, making mention of the amount of kisses she will owe him for the work he does each week.
17 January 1913
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt

Tolkien, now reunited with Edith, writes that he will focus more on his studies.
24 January 1913
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt

Tolkien writes to Edith, saying he is very tempted to slacking off.
26 January 1913
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt

Writing to Edith, Tolkien says that she is a figure he is waiting for and says he would recognise her even in twilight.
1 February 1913
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt

This picture postcard depicts the dining hall at Exeter College, and Tolkien has marked his place at the table with an X. He attended Holy Communion in ...
April 1913 (no earlier than 7 April and no later than 27 April)
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rob Gilson

Results from Honour Moderations had been published in the Times, 8 April Tolkien was listed in the Second Class. He wrote to Rob Gilson to inform him of...
June 1913 (before 9 June)
J.R.R. Tolkien to G.B. Smith

No details of this letter are currently known but G.B. Smith replies to it on 9 June to ask Tolkien about obtaining furniture, etc. for his rooms. He wa...
June 1913 (before June 10)
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rob Gilson

Tolkien writes a long letter to Rob Gilson some time before 10 June when Gilson replies. Noted in Chronology, he says he is enjoying the Oxford English ...
ca. 10 June 1913
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rob Gilson

Tolkien replies to Gilson Tolkien saying he will be in Warwick until 28 June. asking if Tolkien will be attending some social dates in Birmingham.
29 July 1913
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt

It is assumed Tolkien wrote to Edith in the evening after meeting the Mexican boys that day who he will accompany to Paris. At Charing Cross he meets Mr...
30 July 1913
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt

Tolkien again writes to Edith, assumed to be upon his arrival in Paris. He mentions further his impression of the boys in his letter of the previous day.
10 August 1913
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt

Writing to Edith after a day trip to Brittany, Tolkien remarks on its tourist look of dirty papers and bathing machines.
13 August 1913
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Killion

In late July, Tolkien is hired by a Mr. Killion to accompany two Mexican boys on a visit to Paris where their two aunts and brother would join them. Tol...
15 August 1913
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Killion

Writing from the Hôtel des Champs Elysées to Mr Killion, Tolkien recounts the problems following the death of Ángela. Julia, their other aunt has sai...
17 August 1913
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Killion

Writing again to Mr. Killion, Tolkien updates him on happenings in Paris. He and Ventura attended Mass and they dined with Madame Cervantes again.
18 August 1913
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Killion

Tolkien again writes to Mr Killion, convinced that the boys should not return to Mexico but continue their education at Stonyhurst.
18 August 1913
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt

Writing to Edith again Tolkien says he is certain that he will not be required to travle to Mexico to bring the Mexican boys back for school at Stonyhur...
20 August 1913
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Killion

Tolkien is concerned that the boys need entertainment and has bought various books cheap for them to read such as King Solomons Mines.
23 August 1913
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Killion

Tolkien and the boys remained in Paris for another 7 days but no further details can currently be found regarding this letter.
29 August 1913
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt

Writing to Edith Tolkien tells her he and the boys will be leaving France the next day. They will arrive at Southampton and travel to Hampshire and stay...
10 October 1913
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt

Upon his return to Oxford, Tolkien writes a letter to Edith who he had visited in Warwick before he visited Birmingham.
3 November 1913
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt

Tolkien writes to Edith about registering as a reader at the Bodleian Library.
5 Decemeber 1913
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Editor, king Edward's School Chronicle

Tolkien writes to the editor of KESC after a request for information about life of the experiences of Old Edwardians at Oxford. Tolkien signed the lette...
?17 - ?19 December 1913
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Wiseman

Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull note that Tolkien informs his T.C.B.S. friends of his engagement to Edith, though he does not give any details of E...
?17 - ?19 December 1913
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rob Gilson

Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull note that Tolkien informs his T.C.B.S. friends of his engagement to Edith, though he does not give any details of E...

1914

14 January 1914
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt

Writing to Edith, Tolkien remarks that the life they can look forward to will be made all the more joyful given they are both orphans.
17 February 1914
J.R.R. Tolkien to Marianne Cary Gilson

Rob Gilson writes to his stepmother, Marianne Cary Gilson after a weekend in Oxford with Christopher Wiseman, T.K. Barnsley, G.B. Smith and Tolkien. A s...
28 February 1914
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt

Tolkien writes to Edith, complaining of his prospects of employment, as he sees them.
5 August 1914
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt

Tolkien writes to Edith about his hikes in Cornwall with Father Vincent Reade of the Birmingham Oratory. The two were visiting the Lizard Peninsula from...
8 August 1914
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt

Tolkien writes to Edith about his hikes in Cornwall with Father Vincent Reade of the Birmingham Oratory. The two were visiting the Lizard Peninsula from...
11 August 1914
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt

Tolkien writes to Edith about his hikes in Cornwall with Father Vincent Reade of the Birmingham Oratory. The two were visiting the Lizard Peninsula from...
14 August 1914
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt

Tolkien writes to Edith about his hikes in Cornwall with Father Vincent Reade of the Birmingham Oratory. The two were visiting the Lizard Peninsula from...
August 16 1914
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt

Tolkien looks forward to seeing Edith in three days. Tolkien writes to Edith about his hikes in Cornwall with Father Vincent Reade of the Birmingham Ora...
23 August 1914
J.R.R. Tolkien to May Incledon

While staying in Northgate, Warwick at the White House, Tolkien writes to his aunt May Incledon. No other details are currently available.
30 August 1914
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs. Stafford

While staying in Northgate, Warwick at the White House, Tolkien writes to a Mrs. Stafford in Oxford to say that he will be back for term time.
11 October 1914
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt

Writing to Edith on the first day of Michaelmas Full Term, Tolkien describes the situation at Oxford. His college is empty and the Examinations School h...
13 October 1914
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt

Writing to Edith, Tolkien mentions that Oxford is a place of gloom.
c. 23 (or 26*) October 1914
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt  Letters #1

Written during Tolkiens final undergraduate year at Oxford. Describes his studies and social interactions. Note on the dating of this letter: Humphrey C...
22 October 1914
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt

Tolkien mentions that drill is a godsend. He has exercise 3 mornings a week before getting to books which he says suits him well. We wrongly atributed t...
Before 15 November 1914
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Wiseman

Writing to Wiseman Tolkien notes that the power of the T.C.B.S. can shake the world.
9 November 1914
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Wiseman

Tolkien writes to Wiseman about nationalism the evening before a debate at the Stapledon Society on this same topic.
16 November 1914
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Wiseman

Writing to his friend, after reading parts of Wisemans letter to G.B. Smith, Tolkien agrees that the group (T.C.B.S.) has drifted apart but that it is i...
27 November 1914
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt  Letters #2

Writing to Edith, Tolkien describes his day. He had dinner with a man called Earp (T.W. Earp, the Secretary of the Exeter College Essay Club) and attend...
29 November 1914
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt

Tolkien opens by saying he has to write after reading Ediths letter again. He describes various things he has been doing in the military, school and chu...
29 November 1914
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt

Tolkien describes his evening manoeuvres with the cadets to Edith in this letter. The cadets fall in near the Bodleian Library. Tolkien describes the we...

1915

?after 2 March 1915, no later than the morning of 11 March 1915
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Wiseman

Tolkien writes saying he has set himself a specific day for replying to letters and evidently suggests a meeting of the group.
?10-15 March
J.R.R. Tolkien to G.B. Smith

It is evident that Tolkien replied to Smiths letter requesting typewritten copies of his poems (see #TCGLetter1203) but this is not dated in Chronology.
Before 26 March 1915
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Wiseman

Tolkien sends a postcard to Christopher Wiseman in which he suggests some dates (11 or 17 April 1915) for a meeting of the T.C.B.S. The exact dating of ...
4 April 1915
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Wiseman

Hammond and Scull note this letter but they did not see it when studying Tolkiens archives. We have no further information at this time.
6 April 1915
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Wiseman

Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull note that Tolkien sent a postcard to Wiseman but that they have not seen it. We have no further information at pres...
10 April 1915
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Wiseman

Noted by Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull, Tolkien writes to Wiseman, and possibly relays news on G.B. Smith. Wiseman will reply on the same day say...
12 April 1915 (Telegram)
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Wiseman

Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull note that Tolkien sends Wiseman a telegram before he receives a letter from G.B. Smith (#TCGLetter1220) and that Wi...
16 April 1915
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Wiseman

Tolkien replies to Wisemans letter from the previous day (#TCGLetter1225) saying that he cannot join him and his family at the weekend.
1 June 1915
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt

Tolkien informs Edith that his friend, W.E. Hall has been killed in service. He says that Hall is the first of his friends to die, but he knows that soo...
July 1915
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rob Gilson

While he is in Warwick Tolkien writes to Rob Gilson. No further details of this letter are known. Rob Gilson will not reply until September.
4 July 1915
J.R.R. Tolkien to J.R.R. Tolkien

G.B. Smith sends his congratulations to Tolkien while he is in Warwick for ‘one of the highest distinctions an Englishman can obtain’.
9 July 1915
J.R.R. Tolkien to G.B. Smith

Tolkien writes to G. B. Smith informing him of his news from the War Office in a letter, see #TCGLetter1268. He will also write to Christopher Wiseman g...
9 July 1915
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Wiseman

Tolkien writes to Christopher Wiseman giving him the news of his army appointment (see #TCGLetter1268) and also mentions he will be visiting Moselye and...
11 July 1915 (likely)
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. How

There is some question whether Tolkien sent this letter, Hammond and Scull say that Tolkien drafts and probably sends a letter from Abbotsford to a Mr H...
25 November 1915
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt

Tolkien writes to Edith. No information is known currently of its contents.
26 November 1915
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt  Letters #3

Written while Tolkien was training as part of the Lancashire Fusiliers. He is working on his poem Kotirion among the Trees and mentions sending it to th...

1916

19 - 2 February 1916
J.R.R. Tolkien to Dora Owen

Wayne Hammond and Christina Scull in their entry for 19 January 1916 (#TCGLetter1308), note that Tolkien replied to Dora Owen with several poems include...
26 January 1916
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rob Gilson

Tolkien writes to Rob Gilson informing him that he and Ediths have set a date to marry, it will be on 22 March in Warwick.
26 January 1916
J.R.R. Tolkien to G.B. Smith

Tolkien writes to Smith with news of his and Ediths wedding day which will take place on 22 March in Warwick. He also notes that he has sent his book of...
12 February 1916
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt

Tolkien writes to Edith, commenting that he wants to return England to Roman Catholicism.
c. from 1-13 March 1916
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Wiseman

Christopher Wiseman had written to Tolkien on 1 March 1916, saying that Tolkien liked little, delicate, beautiful creations but he was more thrilled by ...
2 March 1916
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt  Letters #4

A short extract where Tolkien mentions his nonsense fairy language, referring to it as such a mad hobby! Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull note that ...
c. 8 March 1916
J.R.R. Tolkien to Father Francis Morgan

Tolkien writes to Father Francis Morgan giving him the news that he and Edith will marry on 22 March in Warwick. he had not mentioned this fact when he ...
8 May 1916
J.R.R. Tolkien to Adjutant, 13th Battalion

Tolkien writes to the Adjutant of the 13th Battalion requesting leave for 13 to 17 May after he has completed his signalling course. His address if his ...
21 June 1916 (date received)
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Gilson

Tolkien wrote to Christopher Gilson. No further information is known currently but Gilson replies on 22 June that he is cheered to hear from the T.C.B.S...
c. 1 August 1916
J.R.R. Tolkien to G.B. Smith

Tolkien writes to G.B. Smith. Little is currently know of this letter and it is dated via the remarks of Hammond/Scull.
12 August 1916
J.R.R. Tolkien to G. B. Smith  Letters #5

Tolkien has learned about the death of his close friend Rob Gilson - one of the four members of the TCBS and writes a long letter about how he feels the...
c. September 1916
J.R.R. Tolkien to G.B. Smith

Tolkien writes to Smith, apparently letting off steam about friction with other people. It is assumed that he is talking about Christopher Wiseman.
Between 30 October - 7 November 1916
J.R.R. Tolkien to Lieutenant-Colonel Bird

Tolkien writes to Commanding Officer offering his regret at suffering from trench fever. He hopes to return to the same Batallion when he is well enough.
C. November 1916
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs. Smith

Tolkien writes to Mrs. Smith, G.B. Smiths mother. She replies, thanking him and says she will forward the letter to her son.
16 December 1916
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs. Smith

After reading the news from Christopher Wiseman that their friend G.B. Smith has died, Tolkien immediately writes to Smiths mother to offer his condolen...
c. 22 December 1916
J.R.R. Tolkien to R.W. Reynolds

Tolkien writes to R.W. Reynolds. From Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Sculls entry for 28 December 1916, Tolkien must have discussed G.B. Smith, and his ...
c. 23-24 December 1916
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs. Smith

Tolkien replies to G.B. Smiths mother enclosing copies of G.B. Smiths verse.

1917

2 January 1917
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Secretary War Office

Tolkien advises the war department of his address and presents himself for further orders.
c. February 1917
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Wiseman

Only noted by Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull in their entry for 4 and 9 March 1917, He includes more poems for Wiseman which he will return with
12 February 1917
J.R.R. Tolkien to War Office

Tolkien writes to the War Office from Great Haywood where he is currently residing to inform them of this change of address. On 23 January he was examin...
Beginning of March 1917
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs. Smith

Tolkien has learned of the death of G.B. Smiths brother and writes to their mother, assumed to be his offering of sympathy. Smiths brother died on 25 Ja...
c. March 1917 (no later than the morning of 4 March)
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Wiseman

Tolkien writes to Wiseman saying that Edith is now with him at Harrogate.
c. November 1917 (no later than 22 November)
J.R.R. Tolkien to Marjorie Incledon

Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull note that Mary Incledon had written to Tolkien in response to either a conversation or a letter between her sister ...
c. Late November 1917
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Wiseman

At an unknown date, no earlier than 16 November, 1917, Tolkien writes to Wiseman informing him of the birth of his son John Francis Reuel. He also asks ...
?10 ?17 ?20 December 1917
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Wiseman

Replying to Tolkiens letter on the birth of his son, Christopher Wiseman replies offering his congratulations. He insists that he is regarded as an uncl...

1925

Unknown (possibly mid 1920's)
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Swann

This rather odd loose slip of paper was found inside a copy of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and is housed as part of the Bodleian Library Tolkien arc...
26 January 1925
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Joseph Wright

Writing on the occasion of Wrights retirement, Tolkien reveals that it was Wrights works that had introduced him to philology as a schoolboy. Brief extr...
2 February 1925
J.R.R. Tolkien to Cyril Brett

A manuscript letter from Tolkien to Cyril Brett, on the subject of Tolkien & Gordons edition of Sir Gawain & The Green Knight (Oxford, 1925). Held in th...
Late February or early March 1925
J.R.R. Tolkien to George S. Gordon

Tolkien sends his revised glossary of the Clarendon Chaucer to George S. Gordon.
12 June 1925
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Ronald Ashton

Examination of Mr. Ashtons son, a student at the University of Leeds.
27 June 1925
J.R.R. Tolkien to [University of Oxford Electors]  Letters #7

Tolkien applies for the position of Professorship of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford University. He describes his schooling and his time at Leeds University as Re...
22 July 1925
J.R.R. Tolkien to H.F.B. Brett-Smith

This handwritten letter over 2 pages finds Tolkien discussing academia at Leeds University and his own poetry. Brett-Smith had written Tolkien a letter ...
22 July 1925
J.R.R. Tolkien to E.S. Craig

Tolkien replies to E.S. Craig, enclosing the signed undertaking. He hopes that the statutes governing the chair can be mitigated as he has to give six m...
22 July 1925
J.R.R. Tolkien to Vice Chancellor of Leeds University  Letters #8

Tolkien has been elected to the Rawlinson & Bosworth professorship at Oxford and must therefore resign his position at Leeds. His posting takes effect f...
7 August 1925
J.R.R. Tolkien to R.W. Chambers

Tolkien writes to R.W. Chambers complaining that he has only recently finished marking School Certification exam papers which he ahd to do to pay medica...
8 August 1925
J.R.R. Tolkien to H.F.B. Brett-Smith

As with Tolkiens ealier letter The original letter is now held at The Marion E. Wade Center.
Before 12 November 1925
J.R.R. Tolkien to E.V. Gordon (testimonial)

Tolkien writes a letter in support of E.V. Gordons proposed elevation to the chair he himself vacated to take up the Rawlinson and Bosworth Professorshi...
21 November 1925
J.R.R. Tolkien to Brian Woledge

Tolkien wrote to Brian Woledge, who was an ex-student. The contents of this letter is currently unknown. One of three letters from the Leeds Library Col...

1937

4 January 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Susan Dagnall  Letters #9

Tolkien details work he has recently completed on maps for The Hobbit, as well as other suggestions. Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull note that ther...
17 January 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth  Letters #10

Tolkien discusses the details of, and placement within the text, some of his illustrations in The Hobbit, as well as potential changes to his illustrati...
5 February 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Susan Dagnall  Letters #11

Tolkien replies to Susan Dagnall of GA&U on matters of the reproductions of some of his illustrations in The Hobbit. In the 2023 revised edition of Lett...
8 February 1937
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J.R.R. Tolkien to R.W. Chambers

Tolkien makes mention of the new volume on Buckingham by P.N.
12 February 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien  Letters #11a

Tolkien replies to Michaels letter. It appears that Michael has opted to change his work, but Tolkien would like to talk with Welch & Bostock first befo...
?10 March 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth  Letters #11b

Tolkien writes to C. A. Furth of GA&U acknowledging the two drawings which were “safely received”, he has placed them in the correct positions among...
13 April 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.  Letters #12

Concerning Tolkiens corrections to the text of The Hobbit, the cost of those corrections, and who would incur that cost, as well as details of his submi...
c. 16 April 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Priscilla Tolkien  Letters #11c

Tolkien writes to his daughter Priscilla in April, 1937 while he is away on a walking tour of Somerset. He hopes to see her tomorrow. He remarks that he...
25 April 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Charles Furth

Tolkien writes back to Furth in regards to the dustjacket design for The Hobbit. Furth wrote on April 15th that the pink hue that Tolkien put on the mou...
13 May 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth  Letters #13

Some of Tolkiens thoughts on the potential publication of The Hobbit in the USA as well as thoughts on American culture in general. Assumed ALS based on...
28 May 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin

This letter written and sent on the same day as #TCGLetter14. Tolkien writes to George Allen & Unwin about the dust-jacket for The Hobbit. Assumed ALS b...
28 May 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.  Letters #14

Concerning the publication date of The Hobbit in the UK as well as some potentially early reviews of the book. Also Tolkiens reservations about his thou...
31 May 1937
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Lionel Salt

Tolkien writes to Lionel Salt, the Bursar at Pembroke College, University of Cambridge to apologise that he must miss a play as Christopher, his son was...
11 June 1937
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Pembroke College

Tolkien writes to Pembroke College recommending Mr. N. Davis for a place at the college.
31 August 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth (Allen & Unwin)  Letters #15

Tolkien enclosed the last of his coloured illustrations for the American edition of The Hobbit. He asked Allen & Unwin to forward it to Houghton Mifflin...
5-7 September 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth (of George Allen and Unwin)

Writing to C.A. Furth, and apologizes for his lengthy letter regarding the dustcover blurb. Tolkien believes he is still waiting on five copies of The H...
17 September 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth

Tolkien writes to C.A. Furth of GA&U. He needs five outstanding authors copies and seven copies for giving to a few people who cannot buy a of The Hobbi...
17 September 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #15a

Tolkien, writing to Stanley Unwin, apologizes for sounding ungrateful to him. Unwin had sent Tolkien a much welcomed cheque. He hopes that the Hobbit ea...
21 September 1937
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Simonne d'Ardenne

A short note enclosed with a copy of The Hobbit (published on this day) sent by Tolkien as a gift to Simonne dArdenne. The letter is kept at the Univers...
22 September 1937
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Jane Neave

Tolkien wrote to his Aunt, Jane Neave enclosing a signed copy of The Hobbit. This letter and the book were described with some short quotes and an image...
2 October 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #15b

Writing to his son Christopher, Tolkien says how delighted he is to have received his letter, although he doesnt expect them. He, Edith, and Priscilla h...
3 October 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien  Letters #16

Tolkien thanks Michael for keeping an eye of Christopher. He says that Chris will make a mess of things to start, but he will settle in and be of no fur...
15 October 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #17

Tolkien was pleased that The Hobbit was being well received, though he suspected that the two glowing, unsigned reviews in The Times and the Times Liter...
23 October 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #18

Originally published as just a fragment of a thank you letter to Stanley Unwin who had written that Tolkien was one of those rare people with genius. In...
17 November 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin

Hammonds Bibliography notes that Tolkien wrote to Stanley Unwin about Simonne dArdennes translation of an early draft of Farmer Giles of Ham in a letter...
22 November 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to E.V. Gordon  Letters #18a

Writing to his friend and colleague E.V. Gordon, Tolkien says of Gordon that he has been treated badly. He says that he cannot help enough on the Pearl ...
14 December 1937
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J.R.R. Tolkien to G.E. Selby

Tolkien apologizes for the delay in replying due to his poor health. writes that he prefers his own mythology which The Hobbit only briefly touches upon...
15 December 1937
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Arthur Ransome

Replying to Arthur Ransomes letter of 13th December (see #TCGLetter106) Tolkien opens with exclamations of honour at receiving a letter from Ransome. To...
16 December 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #19

Regarding Tolkiens next project after The Hobbit. He had previously discussed The Father Christmas Letters with Unwin and passed him manuscript of the Q...
19 December 1937
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J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth  Letters #20

I have written the first chapter of a new story about Hobbits – A long expected party. One page reproduced in the Silver Anniversary booklet and the G...

1938

1 February 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.  Letters #21

Originally published as just a fragment of a letter, gauging Rayner Unwins interest in reading the sequel to The Hobbit. In the revised 2023 edition of ...
4 February 1938
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J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth  Letters #22

Tolkien sends his publisher a copy of ‘A Long-expected Party’, the first chapter of The Lord of the Rings. He also encloses errata for The Hobbit fo...
17 February 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin

Tolkien informs his publisher that Houghton Mifflin are yet to return to him the five orginal watercolour paintings for The Hobbit.
17 February 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth  Letters #23

The publishers were again considering the publication of Mr Bliss, which had previously languished due to the complexity of the illustrations, but Tolki...
18 February 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #24

Tolkien thanked Unwins son Rayner for his positive criticism of A Long-expected Party, but regretted that he has still not progressed past this first ch...
20 February 1938
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Editor of the Observer  Letters #25

On 16 January 1938 the Observer newspaper published a letter asking about the The Hobbits links to Beowulf and other branches of mythology, as well as t...
4 March 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #26

Tolkien writes to Stanley Unwin about C.S. Lewiss Out of the Silent Planet and gives his progress on the sequel to The Hobbit. He also mentions a letter...
12 March 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to Houghton Mifflin Co.  Letters #27

Houghton Mifflin seemed to have asked Tolkien for drawings of Hobbits for some future edition of The Hobbit. Tolkien stated that such drawings should be...
28 May 1938
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Kenneth Sisam

Tolkien opens by noting that he received a card from Turville-Petre, who would be leaving for Iceland, most likely on the 3rd June.
4 June 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #28

On 1 June Unwin had told Tolkien that approximately 3,000 copies of the American edition of The Hobbit had been sold. In April, the book had been awarde...
21 July 1938
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J.R.R. Tolkien to A.F. Colborn

Tolkien provides a letter of recommendation for his B.Litt student A.F. Colborn.
24 July 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth  Letters #31

The Hobbit should have come out in 1938 instead of 1937, said Tolkien, because in 1939 he would have the time and mood to write the sequel. Current work...
25 July 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #29

Tolkien wrote to Stanley Unwin concerning a request made by Rütten & Loening Verlag. This German publishing house had enquired about a possible German ...
25 July 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rütten & Loening Verlag  Letters #30

Rütten & Loening Verlag, a German publisher, had enquired about the possibility of a translation of The Hobbit, and asked about his ancestry and Aryan-...
27 July 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to John Masefield  Letters #32

Masefield invited Tolkien to impersonate Chaucer in Oxford’s 1938 Summer Diversions to recite the Nun’s Priest’s Tale. With the invitation were so...
31 July 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to Ida Gordon

Tolkien sends his condolences to the wife of E.V. Gordon, who had recently died due to complications from an operation.
11 Aug 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to Ida Gordon

Tolkien pays tribute to E. V. Gordon, and offers any help he can, talking about finances, the publication of The Wanderer and The Seafarer, and the affe...
11 August 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to John Masefield

Tolkien writes to John Masefield relating to the Summer Division and praises the recitation of Letters from Pontus (Epistulae ex Ponto) along with the p...
19 Aug 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to Ida Gordon

Tolkien has been ill. He offers advice on Idas financial situation.
31 August 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth  Letters #33

Unspecified troubles led to the edge of a breakdown for Tolkien and he had been ordered by a doctor to rest. He had gotten Farmer Giles of Ham typed and...
26 Sep 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to Ida Gordon

Tolkien offers more condolences about the Gordon familys loss, and talks more about his childhood. He acknowledges receipt of papers relating to Pearl f...
October 1938*
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Simonne d'Ardenne

Tolkien replies to Simonne dArdennes letter of 10 October. In it he offers various corrections and suggestions for Sweets Anglo-Saxon Primer and says he...
13 October 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #34

Tolkien stated that he had worked very hard for a month on the sequel to The Hobbit and had reached Chapter XI. He was thoroughly engrossed in it with a...
24 December 1938
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Kilbride

Tolkien opens with news of the terrible year the family have had. Christopher has had a bad heart and in bad health the entire year. More than a dozen f...

1939

11 January 1939
J.R.R. Tolkien to Simonne d'Ardenne

This letter is quoted in DArdennes article Two Words in Ancrene Wisse and the Katherine Group in Notes and Queries 227 (1982), p. 3 where Tolkien discus...
2 February 1939
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth  Letters #35

Tolkien reported that the new story, The Lord of the Rings, had reached Chapter 12 and over 300 pages of manuscript. He foresaw at least 200 more pages ...
10 February 1939
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth  Letters #36

Tolkien had received a royalty check sent by Furth on February 8th for The Hobbit and he thanked him for it, calling it a tonic since he had the influen...
1 March 1939
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien  Letters #36a

Tolkien offers his sympathies to his son Michael as he has been bedridden with a bad cold. He has been very busy and feels he has neglected his son with...
May 6 1939
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J.R.R. Tolkien to R. W. Chambers

Tolkien expresses his fears of the propaganda circling around the developing world situation. Portions of this letter are reproduced in Moreana 94 (1987).
4 July 1939
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Segar

Tolkien pens a letter to Miss Segar regarding hours for the upcoming examinations. He also asks her for the address of a Miss Ridgeway to the same ends....
15 September 1939
J.R.R. Tolkien to Phillip Unwin  Letters #36b

Tolkien updates Phillip Unwin on the current situation at universities given the news of war with Germany. He says there will be a reduced demand, but s...
19 December 1939
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #37

Tolkien had agreed to write a forward to a revision by C.L. Wrenn of Clark Hall’s translation of Beowulf but had not answered several inquiries about ...

1941

2 January 1941
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien  Letters #41

Tolkien told Michael that, now that his correspondence was in order, he could finally work on The Lord of the Rings again... for a short while, as the n...
12 January 1941
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien  Letters #42

J.R.R. Tolkien sent Michael many letters while he convalesced in a Worcester hospital. In this letter, Tolkien chatted about the weather and an amusing ...
26 January 1941
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #42a

Tolkien sends Christopher some money, and reminds him that it is important to remember birthdays, especially his mother’s. Tolkien then goes on to rem...
1 February 1941
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #42b

Writing to Christopher, Tolkien remarks on the work of typing up Hobbit and how Edith and Priscilla are getting along. He then promises to write more.
23 February 1941
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #42c

Tolkien says that he has neglected Christopher of late. He briefly mentions a trip out with Warnie Lewis and ‘Honest Humphrey’ Harvard. He and Micha...
6-8 March 1941
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien  Letters #43

Tolkien considered three ways by which men dealt with women: purely physical relationships, friendly relationships, and loving relationships. A purely p...
12 March 1941
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien  Letters #43a

Tolkien’s second son Michael evidently has informed his parents of his attachment to Joan Griffiths, a nurse at the Worcester Royal Infirmary, and Tol...
18 March 1941
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien  Letters #44

Tolkien told Michael of his mothers family, who were from Worcestershire. Mabel - to whom Michael owed much - was beautiful and full of wit, but died to...
9 June 1941
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien  Letters #45

One war is enough for any man, declared Tolkien, and he hoped Michael would be spared a second. He knew what Michael was suffering through. When he was ...
26 November 1941
J.R.R. Tolkien to R.W. Chapman  Letters #46

R. W. Chapman, Secretary to the Delegates of the Oxford University Press, asked Tolkien for reminiscences about George S. Gordon (to possibly be include...

1943

29 January 1943
J.R.R. Tolkien to J.L.N. O'Loughlin

Tolkien writes a letter to J.L.N. O’Loughlin. He is currently organising courses for the Navy and Air Force cadets. At a board meeting which Tolkien d...
20 April 1943
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.S. Lewis  Letters #48

Lewis had been traveling around England giving talks on Christian religion to RAF stations and had become ill. Tolkien was sorry to hear that Lewis had ...
21 April 1943
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Alan Rook

A wartime postcard from Tolkien to the Cairo poet Alan Rook, contrasting his own literary inactivity – necessitated by the war effort – with the wor...
April 1943*
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.S. Lewis  Letters #49

Tolkien began by stating that he had never been happy about Lewiss view of Christian policy regarding divorce, although he could not before say why. He ...
28 July 1943
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #49a

Tolkien was glad to get Christophers letter, he had been waiting to write, needing his new address. He mentions the weather, and fruits which are growin...
3 August 1943
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Leila Keene and Pat Kirke

Tolkien wrote this long letter to two schoolgirls, Leila Keane and Patricia Kirke who were both very enthusiastic about hobbits, in reply to their quest...
1 September 1943
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #49b

Tolkien details a visit to Collegiate Church and describes the building. He then remarks on the people buried there and gives some historical context.
8 September 1943
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #49c

Christopher had apparently been having a bad week, and Tolkien writes with his sympathies. He says to not spend “precious time” on letter writing, t...
13 September 1943
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #49d

Tolkien has organized the next R.N.-R.A.F. course, he will have around 40 cadets and has to attend the Passing Out Parade of the R.N. tomorrow. He is al...
19 September 1943
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #49e

Tolkien asks how Christopher has been getting on with flight training, he says that he has been very busy with letters and chores, but did manage to hea...
19 October 1943
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Elizabeth J. Jennings

Tolkien writes a personal testimony for the daughter of his friend Henry Cecil Jennings.
25 October 1943
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #50

Tolkien describes how the trees look this time of year, and mentions that he will be meeting C.E.B. Joad the next night for dinner, hosted by C.S. Lewis...
27 October 1943
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #51

Tolkien describes meeting C.E.B. Joad the night before at dinner with C.S. Lewis, and talks a bit about Joads visit to Russia. The dinner is described i...
C. November 1943
J.R.R. Tolkien to Charles Williams

This three page letter is held at the Wade but no details of it are known. The Charles Williams collection at the Wade states this is A Closed Letter po...
3 November 1943
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #51a

Tolkien had not managed to send Christopher his pipe yesterday, and sends it on to him with this letter. He and Edith received a long letter and were ha...
10 November 1943
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #51b

Tolkien reports that he is tired, but has managed to get things done in his usual “programme”. He notes that he has heard two chapters from Charles ...
29 November 1943
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #52

Tolkien claimed that his political opinions leaned increasingly to Anarchy (philosophically understood) or to unconstitutional Monarchy. He would arrest...
9 December 1943
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #53

Tolkien was sickly amused that the bloodthirsty murderer Josef Stalin invited all nations to join to abolish tyranny and intolerance. Tolkien thought th...
15 December 1943
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #53a

Tolkien writes to Christopher after hearing from his brother Michael that Christopher had been unwell again. Tolkien updates him on home life, with Edit...

1944

6 January 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #53b

Tolkien replies to a letter from Christopher, he is glad to hear from him and notes his instructions for his tobacco. He has prayed constantly for his s...
8 January 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #54

Tolkien offers Christopher advice on prayer and to remember his guardian angel. He reminds him to use praises, and says of them if you have these by hea...
18 January 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #55

Tolkien related local news, of which the most personally memorable was a stay in an air raid warden room. Referring to the number one at the beginning o...
25 January 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #55a

Tolkien has not written for a week and speaks of his “shame of letting a whole week go”. He has been praying for Christopher constantly though. Tolk...
Before March 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien

No details of this letter are known except for the note in #TCGLetter1033 that says Tolkien now knows that Christopher had received the fotobriefs in FS 5.
1 March 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #56

Tolkien mentions the return of the Useless Quack, Robert Havard, who had joined the Navy medical corps and was on leave in Oxford. He then told of C.S. ...
24 March 1944 (posted)
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien

No details from this letter are currently known and it is only noted in Tolkiens letter of 27 March, 1944 as airgraph FS 10.
27 March 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #56a

Tolkien says they have received many letters from Christopher, he will feel much better when he knows that he has received theirs. Tolkien notes that he...
30 March 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #57

Tolkien had seen the Lewis brothers the day before and lunched with C.S. Lewis. The indefatigable Lewis read part of a new story and put pressure on him...
3 April 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #58

Tolkien told a story about finding himself in a carriage with an R.A.F. officer and a very nice young American Officer. A stroll around Tolkiens hometow...
5 April 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #59

Tolkien reported seriously trying to finish his book, staying up late, re-reading and doing research. It was painfully sticky getting into the swing aga...
8 April 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #59a

Tolkien writes to Christopher and mentions him sitting in his garden on a beautiful night around 2 a.m. Tolkien had struggled that day with a chapter an...
13 April 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #60

Christopher had arrived in his training camp in South Africa and letters were beginning to flow again between him and his father. Tolkien missed his son...
18 April 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #61

Tolkien had always opposed Christopher’s choice of service but at least he would be spared active service on the ground. Tolkien was glad his son got ...
23 April 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #62

Tolkien had read his second chapter, Passage of the Dead Marshes, to Lewis and Williams and reported that they approved of it. He was nearly done with a...
24 April 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #63

Tolkien had had the uncommon luxury of lying a-bed with toast, home-made marmalade, and Christophers recent letter. He had gotten only broken sleep due ...
30 April 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #64

Tolkien missed his son and said that war was an utter stupid waste – materially, morally, and spiritually. Although the products of worldwide anguish ...
4 May 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #65

Tolkien had seen C.S. Lewis and read another chapter. He said he would soon send Christopher copies.
6 May 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #66

Tolkien expressed some comments about the slow airgraph system. The Professor and his son wrote a lot, but since their letters arrived late, they could ...
11 May 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #67

Tolkien reported to Christopher about various every day affairs, including meetings with C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams and R.B. McCallum. He had found so...
12 May 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #68

Tolkien spent a morning writing and was within sight of Minas Morghul. He had not gotten new copies typed to send to Christopher because he was pushing ...
14 May 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #69

Tolkien had written a certain amount of The Lord of the Rings the day before but he had been hindered by needing to clean up his study and dealing with ...
21 May 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #70

Tolkien had had the advantage of a bitterly cold week in which to write, but had struck a sticky patch. Everything sketched or written before was of lit...
25 May 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #71

Letters from Christopher had poured in and Tolkien envied his sons stationing in Africa, which stirred a curious sense of reminiscence in him. Tolkien h...
31 May 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #72

Tolkien had been to an Inklings meeting where a chapter of Warnie Lewiss book on Louis XIV had been heard, along with some excerpts from C.S. Lewiss Who...
10 June 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #73

Tolkien reported that a great deal had happened at his end of the world. He expected that Christopher knew as much as he did, except that Tolkien mentio...
27 June 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #73a

Tolkien had gone to bed early, and stayed there for nearly 10 hours, which he says has made him feel “worn out”. He mentions that he had received a ...
29 June 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #74

On 22 June Unwin sent Tolkien a substantial cheque for royalties on The Hobbit and let him know that his son Rayner Unwin was reading English at Oxford ...
7 July 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #74a

Writing to Christopher, Tolkien gives news of C.S. Lewis and his need for an operation to remove some shrapnel, which he says must have been in his arm ...
7 July 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #75

Tolkien wrote this letter in midget type. He explained that although he had written recently he had a great desire to communicate. He had been shopping ...
28 July 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #76

Tolkien assured his son that he would not dream of altering Samwise Gamgees name without his approval, but the object of altering it was to bring out th...
31 July 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #77

Tolkien reports in a newly published portion that he had received Christophers airletter of 24 July. He says that his day on Friday was “grim”, as h...
12 August 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #78

Tolkien told his son that he carefully read his letters and that it was right for him to open his troubled heart, but not to think that any part of his ...
22 August 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #79

Kroonstad, said Tolkien, was a real product of current English culture. Johannesburg is what it would like to be. Tolkien predicted that in twenty years...
3 September 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #80

Tolkien told Christopher of his attempts to teach Priscilla the meaning of G.K. Chestertons The Ballad of the White Horse.
19 September 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to G.E. Selby

Tolkien sends a postcard with greetings to Selby. He also notes that Priscilla, his daughter, is typing early chapters of The Lord of the Rings, which h...
19 September 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to G.E. Selby  Letters #80a

Tolkien writes to G.E. Selby, a family friend agreeing to act as a referee for his application to a post. In a newly published extract, which he hopes G...
20 September 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #80b

Tolkien says that he has now seen Rayner twice. He regrets that he has not been able to help him but remarks on what a fine young man he is. He hopes th...
23-25 September 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #81

Christopher had sent back, with approval, several chapters of The Lord of the Rings that his father had sent. Tolkien was pleased and planned to send th...
30 September - 6 October 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien

Tolkien noted this airgraph (FS 53) in his letter of 6 October but no other details are currently known.
30 September 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #82

Tolkien had just returned from a very poor production of Arms and the Man. While at the theatre he saw C. Williams with the lady who was typing Ring and...
6 October 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #83

In a newly published portion of this letter Tolkien remarks on what a wonderful week it has been for letters from Christopher. He hopes that letters fro...
12 October 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #84

Tolkien began writing The Lord of the Rings again but hit an error in synchronizing the movements of Frodo and the others. It took a day or two to figur...
16 October 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #85

Tolkien reported struggling with the dislocated chronology of the Ring, which had interfered with other urgent and duller duties and had stopped his wri...
23 October 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #86

Tolkien told Christopher that he was bored and tired, and then discussed the topic blasphemy.
25 October 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #87

Along with this letter Tolkien sent two more chapters of the Ring to Christopher for his delectation and criticism. Since he thought the packet would no...
28 October 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #88

Tolkien lamented the fading of an empty year into darkness and wondered what the new year would bring.
1 November 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #88a

Tolkien was interested to hear that Christopher had run into “another of the Unwins”, Harold Unwin, a.k.a Chris. He says that Rayner was at Blackwel...
7-8 November 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #89

Christopher had referred to the care of his guardian angel was being held. Tolkien then gave a detailed description of his experience and his meditation...
13 November 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #89a

Tolkien had seen C.S. Lewis and he notes how Lewis had been interested in the “angelic question” which Tolkien had mentioned to him in an earlier le...
24 November 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #90

Tolkien and Edith had been amused by Christopher Tolkiens account of the Wings Ceremony. He wondered how his son had seen and remembered a quotation fro...
29 November 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #91

Tolkien sent Christopher the last two chapters of the Fourth Book, where it would be seen that Tolkien had gotten the hero into such a fix that not even...
29 November 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #91a

Tolkien says that he gave two lectures yesterday, which was an “appalling” day of weather but that he had an excellent morning “at the Bird” wit...
4 December 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #91b

Tolkien opens with the news that he has finished his Beowulf lectures . He has neglected academic matters in favour of working out the time-schemes and ...
10 December 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #91c

Tolkien has given himself an early Christmas gift in the form of a new pruner for the garden, and gives a humorous description of his cycling to the gar...
18 December 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #92

In a newly published portion, Tolkien says that today is the last day for Christmas post arriving in time for Christmas and laments the way the holiday ...
24 December 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #93

Tolkien was happy that Christopher had enjoyed the next three chapters of the Ring and told him new consignments should reach him about 10 December and ...
28 December 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #94

Tolkien was happy that Christopher had sent many letters and that more of Ring had arrived. His son liked it even though it seemed to have added to his ...

1945

7 January 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #94a

Tolkien says he is struggling with letters, many of which he should have written at Christmas. He complains that the weather is bitterly cold and he can...
9 January 1945
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Leila Keane and Patricia Kirke

Tolkien writes to Leila Keane and Patricia Kirke, he discusses his progress with The Lord of the Rings, and the fortunes of his family. The letter was a...
9 January 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #94b

Tolkien continues to talk about the movie he and Edith saw remarking that his “mind and heart” are still thinking of it. He says that it has the qua...
15 January 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #94c

Tolkien says that he is still “under the influence” of the movie he and Edith saw a week ago and continues to talk about religion, God, and other as...
18 January 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #95

Tolkien enthused about reading Stentons Anglo-Saxon England. Tolkien hoped his son could one day delve into the story of the origins of their peculiar p...
30 January 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #96

Tolkien met Lewis at the Mitre for warmth and beer, where he received a telephone call informing him that Professor H.C. Wyld had died. This left Tolkie...
10-11 February 1945
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J.R.R. Tolkien to The Catholic Herald

In this long letter, Tolkien discusses the derivations of convent and Coventry. The letter was published in The Catholic Herald, 23 February 1945, and e...
11 February 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #97

Tolkien reports wasting time writing a letter to the Catholic Herald (published as The Name Coventry). A sentimentalist correspondent had written about ...
17 February 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #97a

Tolkien says that he is finding lectures hard work, and that he is tired. He is surprised that he does not have written notes for Beowulf beyond approx....
23 February 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to E.H. Connor  Letters #97b

Tolkien discusses Chaucer, saying he had “little learning”, some Latin skill but lacked the talent for prose. Also on this day Tolkiens letter to th...
12 March 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #97c

Tolkien writes to Christopher while in working with Cadets at the Taylorian . He is missing his son and wishes he could see him. He gives an update on t...
Undated (circa 18 March 1945)
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #98

Stanley Unwins elder son David had read Leaf by Niggle, called it exquisite, and suggested that it be published with other short stories by Tolkien. Unw...
29 April 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #98a

A short excerpt from Tolkien to Christopher after he had been on leave. He describes seeing him again as like having an old tooth with a dulled ache. He...
15 May 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Florence (Michal) Williams  Letters #99

Tolkien sent his heart out in sympathy. He had grown to admire and love her husband and was more grieved than he could express. Father Gervase Mathew wo...
29 May 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #100

Christopher had returned from South Africa and was stationed with the R.A.F. in Shropshire. He hoped to transfer to the Fleet Air Arm. J.R.R. Tolkien wo...
2 June 1945
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J.R.R. Tolkien to C. Maegraith

Maegraith had sent Tolkien a packet, which he had not acknowledged, he explains he had waited in the hope to have something to say about it but May had ...
3 June 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #101

The Civil Defense was staging a stand-down parade and Tolkien said he would drag himself to it. But he felt it was a mockery.
9 August 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #102

Tolkien commented on the Atomic bombs, and denounced such tactics as utter folly.Tolkien ended the fragment with the statement that we are all in Gods h...
24 August 1945
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J.R.R. Tolkien to The Secretary, Students Department, British Council

This letter was found in the National Archives. Tolkien is applying to the British Council for Simonne dArdenne to be allowed to return to Oxford for a ...
9 October 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #102a

Tolkien writes to his son Christopher, informing him that the Inklings propose to consider him a permanent member. An extract from the letter appears in...
11 October 1945
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J.R.R. Tolkien to The Director, Students Department, British Council

In a follow-up to Tolkiens letter, #TCGLetter1034, Tolkien mentions that it would be of great satisfaction if Professor dArdenne could be granted a retu...
11 October 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #103

After being elected to the Merton Professorship of English Language and Literature, Tolkien became a Professorial Fellow of Merton College. After being ...
22 October 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #104

For the first time Tolkien dined at the Merton high table, which had been very agreeable but odd. The dons met, chatted amiably, and when enough were th...
17 November 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Roger Sharrock

Tolkien discusses his support for Sharrocks application for academic posts, and mentions C.S. Lewis and Charles Williams.

1947

undated but likely 1947
J.R.R. Tolkien to Adrian

Tolkien writes to Adrian after he had visited Cambridge. Nothing else is known and the letter is undated but he visited Cambs in 1947. The original lett...
10 January 1947
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J.R.R. Tolkien to A.W. Riddle

Tolkien writes to A.W. Riddle about languages.
13 January 1947
J.R.R. Tolkien to Gilbert Murray

Writing to Gilbert Murray, Tolkien with regret notes that he is powerless to help with the task of securing employment of one J.C. Ghosh, an Indian stud...
5 May 1947
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #107a

Tolkien notes to Stanley Unwin that he has received the agreement for Farmer Giles of Ham, he would also send revised manuscripts for it in July Hammond...
5 July 1947
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.  Letters #108

Tolkien returned his revised manuscript of Farmer Giles of Ham, having made many alterations which he hoped and thought were for the better. He pointed ...
31 July 1947
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #109

A fair typescript of Book I of The Fellowship of the Ring had been given to Rayner Unwin and on 28 July 1947 he had sent his comments to Tolkien. Rayner...
20 September 1947
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.  Letters #110

The Houghton Mifflin Co. asked Allen and Unwin for permission to use several riddles from The Hobbit in a poetry anthology. Allen and Unwin suggested to...
21 September 1947
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #111

Tolkien stated that he had written a letter to Unwin on the last day of July but had laid it aside since it seemed too much of a bother about his works....
26 September 1947
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Jennifer Paxman

Tolkien writes to Jennifer with some advice on an Oxford College, and errors in The Hobbit. A description of the letter appeared in The J.R.R. Tolkien C...
30 September 1947
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Rosemary

Writing to a young fan, Rosemary, Tolkien says he is yet to finish his new book about Bilbo and his nephew. . He worries that it is so long that the pub...
30 September 1947
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #111a

Tolkien writes to Stanley Unwin with regard to his visit of Merton Colleges estates in Cambridge, Leicestershire, and Lincolnshire between 22 and 25 Sep...
2 October 1947
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J.R.R. Tolkien to A.W. Riddle

Tolkien writes to Mr Riddle about Languages.
30 November 1947
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Katharine Farrer  Letters #112

Katharine Farrer, an Oxford-based detective author, had apparently asked for her copy of The Hobbit to be signed. Instead, Tolkien wrote her a note in R...
17 December 1947
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Malcolm Knox

Tolkien thanks Knoxs for his hospitality when Tolkien delivered his lecture On Fairy-Stories at the University of St Andrews in 1939. Noting that Knox w...

1948

18 January 1948
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J.R.R. Tolkien to J.L.N. O'Loughlin

Tolkien had received a parcel, he thanks OLoughlin and confirms it arrived safely. Tolkien has been very busy and had flu recently, hence his delayed re...
18 January 1948
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Rosemary

Tolkien writes a two page letter to Rosemary, telling her about him, being busy and unwell, hence the delay in reply. Wishes her the best for 1948 and m...
25 January 1948
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.S. Lewis  Letters #113

Apparently Tolkien and Lewis had been corresponding about Tolkiens criticisms of something Lewis had read aloud to the Inklings. This may have been part...
7 April 1948
J.R.R. Tolkien to Hugh Brogan  Letters #114

Brogan had read The Hobbit, and inquired about the world it played in. Tolkien informed him about Farmer Giles of Ham and the unfinished The Silmarillio...
15 June [?1948]
J.R.R. Tolkien to Katharine Farrer  Letters #115

Tolkien was touched and excited by a kind letter Mrs. Farrer had sent to him. Although he had worked on these things since 1914 only C.S. Lewis and his ...
5 August 1948
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.  Letters #116

Allen and Unwin had chosen Milein Cosman to illustrate Farmer Giles of Ham and, after many delays, sent Tolkien samples for his opinion. Tolkien was not...
31 October 1948
J.R.R. Tolkien to Hugh Brogan  Letters #117

Tolkien told Brogan that he had gone into retreat in the summer and had successfully concluded The Lord of the Rings. It had been read and approved by R...
25 December 1948
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Hugh Brogan  Letters #118

Tolkien sent Hugh Brogan Christmas greetings in a note with three inscriptions. The first was a form of Angerthas not quite matching the dwarf-runes of ...

1949

7 January 1949
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J.R.R. Tolkien to J.L.N O'Loughlin

Tolkien sends a rushed note saying that he will act immediately. On behalf of what it is not known.
28 January 1949
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J.R.R. Tolkien to The Times

Cardinal Mindszenty is a letter, co-signed by J.R.R. Tolkien, sent to the editor of The Times (published on 28 January 1949; p. 5). The letter, written ...
28 February 1949
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.  Letters #119

Tolkien declared that he did not have the time to retype Farmer Giles and did not think it necessary. Typing a fair copy of The Lord of the Rings was a ...
11 March 1949
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Turnbull

Tolkien reports that he has completed The Lord of the Rings, he doubts it will ever be published but he will send Miss Turnbull a copy, along with Farme...
16 March 1949
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.  Letters #120

Pauline Baynes had been contracted to illustrate Farmer Giles of Ham. Tolkien had not seen her pictures until the day before. He wrote to say that he wa...
4 June 1949
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Pauline Baynes

Tolkien replies stating he is very pleased at the illustrations for Farmer Giles of Ham. He says that after seeing the images, his friends, very justly,...
13 July 1949
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.  Letters #121

Tolkien had referred to further legends of the Little Kingdom in the Foreword to of Farmer Giles of Ham in case he ever wrote more. But Georgius and Sue...
15 July 1949
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Flint

Tolkien writing to Miss Flint apologises for his delay in replying. he had been away but upon his return had much delayed business to attend to which in...
19 August 1949
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Flint

Following on from his previous letter (#TCGLetter1091), Tolkien apologises for being unhelpful to Miss Flint for so long. He believes that her revised t...
12 November 1949
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss R.W. How

Tolkien writes that he has two books accepted for publication, and nearly finished. Quotes were published from the letter in Sothebys Catalogue of Valua...
28 November 1949
J.R.R. Tolkien to Robert Havard

No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
18 December 1949
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs. Naomi Mitchison  Letters #122

A two page letter (single 5.5 x 7 inch sheet, both sides) in response to Mrs. Mitchisons praise of Farmer Giles of Ham. Tolkien mentions that FG was rea...
20 December 1949
J.R.R. Tolkien to Pauline Baynes  Letters #122a

Tolkien writes to Baynes making mention that Lewis had been in touch and wishes her a Happy Christmas. She (Baynes) is illustrating Lewiss Lion, Witch b...
25 December 1949
J.R.R. Tolkien to Pauline Baynes

Pauline Baynes had written to say she was meeting with C.S. Lewis on the 31st. Tolkien replies that he and his family would also like to meet her if pos...
31 December 1949
J.R.R. Tolkien to Pauline Baynes

Baynes replied to Tolkiens letter that she might not have time to see him. He left a letter with Lewis as they were meeting on New Years Eve. He would b...

1950

5 February 1950
J.R.R. Tolkien to Milton Waldman  Letters #123

Tolkien writes to Milton Waldman of the Collins Publishing co., who he had been introduced to in 1949. Waldman had been interested in publishing the Sil...
24 February 1950
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #124

Allen and Unwin sent Tolkien an enquiry from a Mr. Selby asking if he had written an Authentic History of Faery. After explaining that he had been busy ...
10 March 1950
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #125

Tolkien said that a work of great length could be artificially divided, such as when the Oxford Dictionary had sections labeled Onomastical – Outing. ...
10 March 1950
J.R.R. Tolkien to Milton Waldman  Letters #126

Unwin wants to break up Tolkiens monstrous Saga, and Tolkien hopes Unwin will let the project go so Tolkien can publish The Lord of the Rings and The Si...
14 April 1950
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #127

Relations between Tolkien and Allen & Unwin had begun to become strained as Tolkien felt that A&U were not open to publishing his work as he would have ...
1 August 1950
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.  Letters #128

In July, Tolkien was sent proofs for a new edition of The Hobbit. Along with minor corrections, the new version of Chapter 5, Riddles in the Dark had be...
3 September 1950
J.R.R. Tolkien to Guy Milner

No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade and consists of two pages.
4 September 1950
J.R.R. Tolkien to Hugh Brogan  Letters #128a

Writing to Hugh Brogan, Tolkien notes that he does not know what is happening with The Lord of the Rings which he had hoped would be published this year...
10 September 1950
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #129

For the new edition of The Hobbit, Tolkiens publishers asked for the precise wording for a note that explained the changes. People who had read both ver...
14 September 1950
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #130

Tolkien had, by way of example, sent in a new version of the chapter Riddles in the Dark, which Allen & Unwin included in the second edition of The Hobbit.
9 October 1950
J.R.R. Tolkien to Hugh Brogan  Letters #130a

Tolkien in a letter to Hugh Brogan gives him some updates on his health. He also says that “Drama” is a “bore”.

1952

10 February 1952
J.R.R. Tolkien to Father John Tolkien  Letters #132

Tolkien writes to his son John about a meal that he had with Lewis, which they called the ham-feast.
23 March 1952
J.R.R. Tolkien to John Tolkien  Letters #132a

Tolkien says that Edith is much happier but for the terrible noise in the street. He says that they will move into the room he currently uses as an offi...
22 June 1952
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #133

Rayner Unwin had written to Tolkien about Errantry and this gave Tolkien an opportunity to see if he could get The Lord of the Rings published by George...
4 July 1952
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Moore

A short note from Tolkien to Miss Moore explaining that he has forgotten to enter the date to which her Viva Voce had been removed. Viva Voce: an oral e...
7 August 1952
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J.R.R. Tolkien to George Sayer

In 1937, at the urging of his publishers Collins, Tolkien began writing a new Hobbit. Due to his full-time academic position, progress was slow, and he ...
10 August 1952
J.R.R. Tolkien to Moira Sayer

Tolkien writes a letter to Moira Sayer concerning the second half of The Lord of the Rings. Excerpts from the letter appeared in Christies 20th Century ...
29 August 1952
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #134

Tolkien was anxious to publish The Lord of the Rings as soon as possible as he thought it a great but not flawless work. He only had one copy that he da...
21 October 1952
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien  Letters #134a

Tolkien writes to wish Michael a happy birthday for tomorrow. He is busy with work but offers his prayers and love to his son. He also mentions the arri...
24 October 1952
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #135

A printer had estimated that to recover costs The Lord of the Rings would have to be priced at £3 10s at a minimum and would cost more if divided into ...
12 November 1952
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #135a

Tolkien replies to Rayners letter and mentions his pleasure at the news of Allen & Unwins decision to publish The Lord of the Rings.
15 November 1952
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr Burns

Writing to a Mr. Burns. Tolkien refers to a Professor Kennedys book of Anglo-Saxon verse and a Miss Kirchberger who had sought Tolkiens advice on her wo...

1953

Not dated (1953)
J.R.R. Tolkien to Basil Blackwell  Letters #135b

Tolkien remarks to Basil Blackwell on the merits and shortcomings of a linguistic text being published in the near future. He points out that had he bee...
29 January 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael and Joan Tolkien  Letters #135c

Writing to his son Michael and daughter-in-law Joan, Tolkien gives an update on their move to a new house, to 76 Sandfield Road. He notes that the start...
8 March 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to George Sayer

Tolkien has not supplied Sayer with a copy of The Lord of the Rings as yet.
11 March 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Norman Davis  Letters #135d

Tolkien notes how it has been some time since he wrote, he has been meaning to but has been getting his affairs in order with his house move. He says th...
later in March 1953 (see letter dated 8 March)
J.R.R. Tolkien to George Sayer

An undated letter from later in March contains a new plea for help, this time in writing a publicity blurb for The Lord of the Rings.
24 March 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #136

Following Allen & Unwins decision to publish The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien wrote that he could not make it by the agreed upon dead-line (March 25). Edi...
11 April 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #137

Tolkien had meant to write to Rayner sooner and apologized that it was already eleven days into April. At last Tolkien had completed Part I of The Lord ...
21 April 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Norman and Lena Davis  Letters #137a

Tolkien writing to Norman and Lena Davis begins by saying that he does not know how to call Davis, now that he has spent time with him and ate his “br...
28 April 1953
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J.R.R. Tolkien to George Sayer

Tolkien writes to George Sayer apologising for not thanking Sayer for his letter. Tolkien had received books late, missing a contract deadline. Tolkien ...
5 June 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #137b

Tolkien asks Rayner Unwin for an update on galleys for The Lord of the Rings. He hopes that there will be little work as the copy was “pretty good”....
5 June 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin  Letters #137c

Tolkien writes to Allen & Unwin asking if there will be opportunity for the book to be reviewed. He wants C.S. Lewis especially to be able to review the...
22 June 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to P.H. Newby  Letters #137d

Tolkien writes to P.H. Newby of the BBC. Newby had been negotiating to broadcast some of Tolkiens translation of Sir Gawain but pressures meant that he ...
24 June 1953
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J.R.R. Tolkien to George Sayer

Tolkien opens by apologising for for typing his reply. He has severe pain in his hand and cannot currently write. He discusses university and family mat...
8 July 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to P.H. Newby  Letters #137e

Tolkien writing to P.H. Newby of the BBC, apologies for his delay in sending the typescript of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, which he has enclosed wi...
11 July 1953
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Robert Burchfield

Tolkien advises his student Burchfield about his thesis about Ormulum - the proposed thesis title is remarkably close to a recent German publication tha...
22 July 1953
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J.R.R. Tolkien to W.N. Beard

Writing in reply to a letter from Beard (July 16th), Tolkien confirms he has received galleys that were wrongly delivered to his old address at 99 Holyw...
4 August 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #138

Galley-proofs of Volume I of The Lord of the Rings were sent to Tolkien in mid-July. Tolkien told his son that they had proven a bore. They were endless...
8 August 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #139

Tolkien was told that it was desirable to have separate titles for each of the three volumes of The Lord of the Rings, referring to Tolkiens 24 March le...
15 August 1953
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Ronald Eames

Eames had written to Tolkien the previous day regarding galleys for The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien replies saying he will return all copies, if it is li...
17 August 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #140

Rayner Unwin had just visited Tolkien, and he thanked Rayner for coming and clearing things up. For the volumes of The Lord of the Rings Tolkien suggest...
31 August 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to George McDonald(?)

Letter discussing galleys of Lord of the Rings as well as Tolkiens translation of Sir Gawain. Although he complains about the lack of a tape recorder, w...
31 August 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #140a

Tolkien writes, reminding Rayner that he will be in London the following day, he hopes Rayner will have time to lunch with him. He will arrive at Museum...
3 September 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to P.H. Newby  Letters #140b

The BBC had expressed a desire to split Sir Gawain into six episodes but Tolkien does not think he can improve the divisions further. But after consider...
23 September 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to W.N. Beard  Letters #140c

Tolkien apologizes for his delay in providing comments on the drawings. He does not think them satisfactory. He says that he should have been more caref...
9 October 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.  Letters #141

The maps were essential and urgent but Tolkien could not get them done. Enormous time had been spent without profit due to lack of skill plus being harr...
15 October 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to P.H. Newby  Letters #141a

Tolkien writes to P.H. Newby, giving details of his various health issues at present. He is suffering from laryngitis, lumbago, and sciatica. He still h...
19 November 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #141b

Tolkien writes to Rayner, he has been struggling with ill-health through the term and only recently has he been able to deal with “many strands” of ...
30 November 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #141c

Tolkien will bring his copy of the third volume for GA&U to use for costing but says it is yet to be revised and will need to be returned to him. He hop...
1 December 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #141d

Tolkien writing to Rayner says that Volume Two reads “rather well” and notes that the first book contains very few errors. He hopes to arrive at the...
2 December 1953
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Perry

Writing to Miss Perry Tolkien discusses the Lord of the Rings, hoping it will be published in the coming year. He has had Ill health and has been very b...
2 December 1953
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Father Robert Murray  Letters #142

Robert Murray had offered Tolkien some thought on The Lord of the Rings to which Tolkien replies. Tolkien was pleased by Murrays words of encouragement ...
10 December 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Katharine Farrer  Letters #142a

Tolkien thanks Katharine Farrer Tolkien has a galley of Volume One of The Lord of the Rings which he has read only once, intended for Farrer to read, an...
28 December 1953
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin

Tolkien arranges to visit Allen & Unwin in London with the manuscript for The Return of the King. A reproduction of the postcard appears in Treasures fr...

1954

Unknown but assumed after The Lord of the Rings is published.
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Griffiths

Tolkien writes to a Mr. Griffiths regarding Cecily Clarks Peterborough Chronicles.
22 January 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #143

Tolkien told Rayner Unwin he would send Book III, the first part of Volume II, carefully corrected. Book IV would follow later.
29 January 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rector of the University of Liège

Concerning festivites around Tolkiens honorary doctorate at the University of Liége. The letter was published in the article Tolkien and Belgium by Joh...
16 March 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin

Tolkien sends by registered post two maps, the General Map, and Part of the Shire. Both of these maps were drawn by Christopher Tolkien. Tolkien will no...
16 March 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin  Letters #143a

Writing to Allen & Unwin, Tolkien says that he has today, sent by registered, the proof for the “General Map” with a second map for Part of the Shir...
23 March 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin  Letters #143b

Tolkien, writing to Allen & Unwin, encloses possible jacket designs, one for The Fellowship of the Ring, and another for The Two Towers. Describing them...
24 March 1954
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin  Letters #143c

Tolkien sends Allen & Unwin proofs of various pages and notes that included rune for “33” are not good, also “59” which he has previous explaine...
26 March 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #143d

Tolkien has drawn a sketch for Volume III, but says he wont show it to Rayner as it is not constructive to point out the artificial divisions in the vol...
15 April 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin  Letters #143e

Further to #TCGLetter1438, Tolkien says that p. 33 passes, p. 59 is improved. He has discovered “2 or 3” errors in the runic decoration on the title...
25 April 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Naomi Mitchison  Letters #144

Naomi Mitchison had a number of questions about the first two volumes of The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien began the letter by thanking her for all her let...
30 April 1954
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin

Tolkien writes to Stanley Unwin regarding Richard Hughess opinion of The Lord of the Rings. Quotes from the letter appears in Sothebys Catalogue of Nine...
3 May 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to P.H. Newby  Letters #144a

In reply to a letter from P.H. Newby, Tolkien says that a talk on the Third Programme would be a suitable subject but notes that it would be a controver...
13 May 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #145

Tolkien said that the Americans were not very amenable to criticism, but he thought their effort so poor that he had to make some effort to improve it. ...
17 May 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Henry Willink

Tolkien discusses C.S. Lewis and his invitation to Cambridge. Lewis had intitially refused the offer citing family obligations, namely his brothers heal...
17 May 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to H.S. Bennett

Tolkien writes to H.S. Bennett who had written to Tolkien the previous day. He discusses the proposed move by C.S. Lewis to Cambridge. C.S. Lewis would ...
3 June 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd, [to Ronald Eames]  Letters #146

The Production Department had asked Tolkien to approve the design of the dust-jacket for The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien thought his opinion of the jacke...
10 June 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin  Letters #146a

Tolkien addresses queries about The Two Towers by Allen and Unwins head reader. Tolkien found the close reading exraordiary. A large publisher will have...
15 June 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.  Letters #147

The publishers altered the design of the dust-jacket for The Lord of the Rings in light of Tolkiens objections in Letter 146. Tolkien had received his a...
6 August 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Perry

Tolkien remarks on the division of The Lord of the Rings into three volumes, and complains about the contemptuous review of the first volume in the Sund...
7 August 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Katharine Farrer  Letters #148

Tolkien acknowledged that misprints still existed in Volume I, but nasturtians was deliberate and represented a final triumph over the high-handed print...
17 August 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien

Tolkien writes to his son Michael, telling of the welcome from certain people of his major work. He suggests that Michael George, his grandson, may enjo...
18 August 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Katharine Farrer  Letters #148a

Tolkien remarks on the morality of The Lord of the Rings and thanks the Farrer for paying close attention to such matters. He addresses the connections ...
21 August 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Neville Coghill

Christina Scull and Wayne Hammond in a blogpost posted an extract of a letter to Nevill Coghill which can be read at
9 September 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rector of the University of Liège

A continuation of a letter dated 29 January that same year about Tolkiens honorary doctorate. He also confirms he will gladly accept the invitation to t...
9 September 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #149

Tolkien found that the reviews were a great deal better than he had feared. They might have been better if quoting Ariosto had been avoided or without c...
18 September 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.  Letters #150

Tolkien regretted that no copy for the Appendices had been sent. He was doing his best to produce them before the end of the month. His index had reache...
18 September 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Hugh Brogan  Letters #151

Tolkien opined that part of the fascination with The Lord of the Rings was the incomplete vistas of legend and history. Brogan preferred goblins to orcs...
20 September 1954
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Perry

Tolkien opens by saying he has been ill or else would have replied to Miss Perrys letter of 10 August. He mentions a Mr. Lambert and that authors should...
23 September 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Heppenstall  Letters #152

Heppenstall asked what dialect the speakers should adopt for the radio program The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth, Beorhthelms Son. Tolkien replied that none ...
25 September 1954
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Naomi Mitchison  Letters #154

Tolkien explained why he had not written long before: he had been plagued by business, troubles, illness, and journeys. Mitchison was the only commentat...
25 September 1954
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Naomi Mitchison  Letters #155

Tolkien feared that he had been far too casual about magic and the use of the word, although criticism by Galadriel and others of the mortal use of the ...
28 September 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Daphne Castell

Daphne Castell (later Cloke) interviewed Tolkien circa 1966. This letter, along with two others and an annotated transcript of her notes for the intervi...
27-30 September 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Peter Hastings  Letters #153

Peter Hastings was the manager of the (Catholic) Newman Bookshop in Oxford. He wrote to Tolkien expressing enthusiasm for The Lord of the Rings but heav...
13 October 1954
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J.R.R. Tolkien to John Staniforth

Tolkien was delighted to receive a letter from Mr. John Staniforth referring to himself as a sexagenarian. Tolkien cites his noticing of the songs in Th...
13 October 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Cheesman

No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
13 October 1954
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Katharine Briggs

Tolkien was sent a letter on the 11th October and replied to some queries about Gollum and the publication date of The Two Towers.
18 October 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rector of the University of Liège

This letter (written and sent from Dublin) again concerns the festivities of Tolkiens reception of an honorary doctorate at the University of Liège on ...
4 November 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Father Robert Murray  Letters #156

Tolkien thanked Murray for his letter that contained comments on The Lord of the Rings. One of the reasons he could answer at once was because he had fi...
6 November 1954
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Robert Burchfield

The letter deals with the reception to The Fellowship of the Ring by Tolkiens philological colleagues. A photograph of the first half of the first page ...
17 November 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Heppenstall

Tolkien writes to inform Heppenstall that he is unable to attend the rehearsal and the recording of the radio play for The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth whic...
22 November 1954
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Perry

Tolkien replies to Miss Perry who had sent Tolkien a favourable review of The Lord of the Rings. He was very pleased and discusses it along with other p...
27 November 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Katharine Farrer  Letters #157

Tolkien felt very mean, knowing that Katharine Farrer had been ill and troubled, and he had not communicated with her at all despite good intentions. He...
1 (and 2nd) December 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Heppenstall

No information is known about this letter
2 December 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #158

Tolkien said that Houghton Mifflins The Two Towers blurb must have been written by someone who had not read the book, but relied on hearsay inaccurately...
13 December 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Heppenstall

No information is known about this letter.
20 December 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #158a

Tolkien apologizes to Rayner for not having sent off the main matter earlier, and he details the hectic year he has had. More than any one person could ...

1955

28 January 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Professor Dodds

This letters contents is currently unknown. It was noted in the Tolkien Societies journal, Amon Hen
3 February 1955
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Tiller

Tolkien replies to Mr. Tiller regarding a BBC radio adaptation of The Lord of the Rings. He gives his approval and says he will contact Allen & Unwin to...
2 March 1955
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Derrick Parnum

Tolkien writes, noting his ill-health, birthdays and gifts, saying that he finds suggestions for presents very odd. Tolkien had ended up receiving a pai...
3 March 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Dora Marshall  Letters #159

Tolkien stated that it took several years to get The Lord of the Rings published. He found it an unfailing delight to find his belief justified: that th...
6 March 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #160

Allen and Unwin were pressing for the remainder of the Appendices. Rayner Unwin wrote (on 2 March) that unless it arrived soon they would have to yield ...
14 April 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #161

The map is hell, proclaimed Tolkien, saying that he had not been careful with distances and that the large scale map simply revealed all the chinks in t...
18 April 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #162

Christopher Tolkien had beautifully re-drawn Tolkiens draft-map of the area with which Volume III was concerned.
2 May 1955
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Turnbull

From tolkiengateway.com: Tolkien writes that he is currently putting final touches on the third volume of The Lord of the Rings (evidently in Appendices...
12 May 1955
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin

Tolkien replies to Rayner Unwin concerning his approval of Tolkiens map, which Christopher Tolkien reproduced.
19 May 1955
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Turnbull

Thanking Miss Turnbull for a gift and mention that he has sent off the last items (proofs) for The Return of the King.
26 May 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #162a

Tolkien is still not happy with the appendices going in with The Return of the King, but says that they will have to do. He remarks on the ability of th...
2 June 1955
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Nathan C. Starr

Tolkien writes that he has been involved with administrative duties as well as other distractions. He hopes that Nathan Starr has The Two Towers and is ...
2 June 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rosemary Summers

Replying to Rosemary Summers, believed to be a teacher, Tolkien says that some critics argued the Hobbit was too frightening for children. Her school ch...
5 June 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to The New York Times Book Review

Tolkien responded to a request as to what makes him tick. Quotes from this letter were printed in the 5 June 1955 New York Times Book Review article In ...
7 June 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to W. H. Auden  Letters #163

Tolkien responded that he wrote the Trilogy for personal satisfaction since there was a scarcity of this sort of literature that he wanted to read. He w...
13 June 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Deirdre Levinson

This short note sees Tolkien confirming a visit the following day at noon by Levinson. A description of the letter was included in Bonhams Books, Maps a...
22 or 23 June 1955
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Patricia Kirke

A letter written to P. Tolkien and Edith had been to Ireland where they stayed with a Bridget MacCarthy in Cork. Tolkien says he will be at Oxford aroun...
28 June 1955
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Perry

Tolkien mentions his visit to London where he met Rayner Unwin. He met Mr. Wilson who he described as the small old Scott who seems to reign over that l...
29 June 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Naomi Mitchison  Letters #164

Tolkien complained of having more work that he could cope with, plus the work on Vol. III. He was feeling as flat as a burst tire but might revive if th...
30 June 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Houghton Mifflin Co.  Letters #165

Out of sheet pity for any new enquirer, Tolkien enclosed a few notes in his letter for Houghton Mifflin. He stated that his name is TOLKIEN and not –k...
5 July 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin  Letters #165a

Tolkien notes that the proofs sent to him arrived later than expected and notes that this will hurry matters, after his days of leisure have been cut sh...
15 July 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin  Letters #165b

Tolkien received some additional proofs of The Return of the King back from the printers, and is still not happy with the result. He chalks it up to his...
22 July 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.  Letters #166

Tolkien informed the publishers that he had returned material sent to him but that it may have missed that day’s post. He realized that time was short...
27 July 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Richard L. Sturch

No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
27 July 1955
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Judson

A letter from Tolkien to Miss Judson of Tunbridge Wells talking about The Return of the King and Tolkiens 1955 trip to Italy.
27 July 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #166a

Tolkien informs Rayner that he will be in Gondor for a few days, but doubts that anything urgent will come up while he is away.
28 July 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jennifer Brookes-Smith

Tolkien writes discussing the maps in The Lord of the Rings and his much needed holiday in Gondor ...: Polargir and Lossarnach (identified in a note as...
28 July 1955
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs. Dixey

Tolkien wishes that Mrs. Dixey will enjoy reading the as yet unpublished Return of the King, telling her that there are about 100 pages of appendices. I...
11 August 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to W.N. Beard  Letters #166b

Tolkien says that he cannot answer Mr. Beards questions until he is back home and has a proof copy of the final text of Return of the King to look at.
15 August 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher & Faith Tolkien  Letters #167

Tolkien described his vacation to Italy with Priscilla. They went to Assisi and Venice.
22 August 1955
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J.R.R. Tolkien to John Roberts

Tolkien writes to John Roberts, apologising for the delay in publishing the third volume of The Lord of the Rings. He describes the third volume, regret...
6 September 1955
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss A. Munro-Kerr

Tolkien submits a hand-written application and cover letter to join The Society of Authors on this date. He gives his full name, signature, occupation, ...
7 September 1955
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Richard Jeffery  Letters #168

Richard Jeffery, an Oxford student, had some etymological queries. Tolkien replied late, because he was on vacation in Italy (as described in Letter 167...
8 September 1955
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs. Souch

Tolkien answers a letter discussing among other things the delay in the last volume of The Lord of the Rings. He hopes the final volume is close to publ...
8 September 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Katharine Farrer  Letters #168a

Tolkien remarks that his holiday in Italy only made him more tired and not at all rested. Combined with his anxieties over the Return of the King releas...
9 September 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to John Sparrow (The Society)

Tolkien wriitng to John Sparrow on finances of The Society (Ad Eundem club), the drop in members and subscriptions, he notes that Cambridge is not payin...
11 September 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Hugh Brogan  Letters #169

Hugh Brogan discovered the word Numinor in C.S. Lewis That Hideous Strength, and asked Tolkien about it.
18 September 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Hugh Brogan  Letters #171

Tolkien dismissed Brogans self-accusations of impertinency and sycophancy and said that anyone so appreciative and perceptive is entitled to criticism. ...
27 September 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Martin C. Stone

No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
28 September 1955
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Perry

Tolkien opens this two sided post-note apologising for his delay in replying. He and Edith have both been very ill of late. He had recieved the proof-co...
30 September 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Philip Unwin (Allen & Unwin Ltd.)  Letters #170

Tolkien in writing to Philip Unwin says that the reader is correct, Tolkien had to extend the Entmoot to fit everything in. He also asks if The Return o...
12 October 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Philip Unwin (Allen & Unwin Ltd.)  Letters #172

Allen and Unwin proposed 20 October 1955 as the publication date for The Return of the King. Tolkien beseeched them not to fail; it was the last possibl...
22 October 1955
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Mitchell

Letter to Mr. Mitchell, about reading The Lord of the Rings and extends offer to sign his 3 volumes. Tolkien hopes that his success with the The Lord of...
22 October 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Judson

The letter concerns The Return of the King and Tolkiens invented languages as the source from which his stories originally grew.
24 October 1955
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Joyce Biddell

Tolkien expresses pleasure that his books cheered her. The recipient may be Joyce Biddell of Maidstone, Kent, who adapted the novel for the stage in 196...
24 October 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Katharine Farrer  Letters #173

Tolkien told of the publishing of The Return of the King on October 20 and the ODonnell lecture due on October 21.
10 November 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Lord Halsbury  Letters #174

Lord Halsbury had suggested to Tolkien that if Allen and Unwin were unwilling to publish The Silmarillion commercially, perhaps it could be published by...
30 November 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Molly Waldron  Letters #175

Tolkien comments on the first episodes of the radio adaptation of The Lord of the Rings that was airing at the time. Tolkien was less than happy. He cal...
?Late 1955 or ?1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to G.E. Selby

Little is known of this 6 page letter but Tolkien touches on the publication of The Lord of the Rings, stating it is not a trilogy and not an allegory. ...
?December 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Straight  Letters #181

Tolkien thanked Mr. Straight for his letter but asked if he had enjoyed The Lord of the Rings, which was written to amuse, as in to be readable. He stre...
2 December 1955
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Elizabeth Jennings

Tolkien congratulates Jennings on the publication of her poetry book A Way of Looking and discusses the merits of W.H. Audens Shield of Achilles, and me...
8 December 1955
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Naomi Mitchison  Letters #176

After a holiday in Italy Tolkien returns and writes to Naomi Mitchison, a fellow novelist and his proofreader. Tolkien discusses the demands on his time...
8 December 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #177

Although Tolkien agreed with the critics view of the radio adaptations of The Lord of the Rings he was annoyed when this group that had not read the boo...
12 December 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to David Masson

The Return of the King was published 20 October 1955. Irritated by the Times Literary Supplement review of 25 November 1955, Mr. Masson, a librarian at ...
12 December 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.  Letters #178

Tolkien described his inspiration for the Shire; that of a Warwickshire village around the time of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria (1897). Additio...
14 December 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Hugh Brogan  Letters #179

Brogan had previously sent Tolkien a letter containing criticism that, in hindsight, he thought was stupid and tactless. Tolkien replied to him that he ...
16 December 1955
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr Capan

Tolkien thanks Mr. Capan for an invitation to visit Cambridge University but he must decline with regret. He is busy in term-time, especially in the mid...
20 December 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to John Tolkien  Letters #179a

Tolkien writes to his eldest son, Father John Tolkien, saying that he will miss him at Christmas time but knows that he will see him soon. He says he is...
20 December 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Joan Anne Tolkien  Letters #179b

Tolkien writes to granddaughter Joan and says that he really enjoyed her birthday party, and that she is growing so fast. He has enclosed some money for...
21 December 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs Rachael Feichtmeir

This is a two page letter. This letter remains unpublished and little is known beyond one extract, Tolkien says that One must write to a map in being or...
23 December 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Audrey Bayley

Letter from Tolkien to Audrey Bayley, in response to a fan letter, hoping that the success of The Lord of the Rings will lead to the publication of the ...

1956

1 January 1956
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr Polet

Tolkien writes a brief letter thanking Mr Polet for his letter and expresses his delight that Polet is enoying The Lord of the Rings.
1956
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Unknown

This letter to an unknown recipient was briefly mentioned in an article, Tolkien Letters a Treasure posted by the Chronicle in Newcastle after an appear...
5 January 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #179c

Tolkien says he has had no time to revisit The Silmarillion, but hoping to in the near future. He makes a point to thank Rayner Unwin for all his help i...
12 January 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Peter Scott

Tolkien writes to Peter Scott, of the London Newman Circle. He declines the invitation to give a public lecture as he is too busy to talk about himself....
14 January 1956
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Godfrey Nicholson

Tolkien replies to Godfrey Nicholson who is a member of Parliament and a fan of The Lord of the Rings. He says he would be delighted to meet and dine wi...
14 January 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Peter Alford

Tolkien replies to Peter Alford, of the BBC about his production of The Lord of the Rings.
Undated (1956-1958)
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Peter Alford

This undated letter sent sometime between January 1956 and April 1958 concerns an Elvish passage as noted by Anders Stenström. He noted an Elvish passa...
14 January 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Thompson  Letters #180

Tolkien said he recognized the arrogance of his self-imposed task of restoring to the English an epic tradition and mythology and found it wonderful tha...
?Late January 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Notes on W. H. Auden’s review of The Return of the King  Letters #183

Middle-earth was not an imaginary world, stated Tolkien. It was a modernized form of the 13th century midden-erd, the abiding place of Men and their obj...
28 January 1956
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Doris Elizabeth Sykes

This letter was sold with another letter dated July 1956. See #TCGLetter237
?Mid-February 1956
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Peter Alford

Tolkien writes about the divisions of the books of The Lord of the Rings. Enclosed with the letter was two paragraphs that Tolkien describes as being in...
29 February 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Tim Robinson

Tolkien apologises for being unable to attend a meeting of the Oxford University English Club. The complete letter was reproduced in full in ADC Books C...
7 March 1956
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Robert Durden

Tolkien is pleased to read of Mr Durdens delight from reading The Lord of the Rings. He mentions briefly the Appendices, and that he hopes to be able to...
8 March 1956
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to William Galbraith

Among many subjects Tolkien discusses the unfinished index and The Silmarillion. Numenor, echoes of past tales. Tunes for poems. The geography of Tolkie...
15 March 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Martin C. Stone

No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
18 March 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Sam Gamgee  Letters #184

Following the 1955 radio series of The Lord of the Rings, a Tooting resident named Sam Gamgee wrote to Tolkien on March 13, 1956. On March 18, Tolkien r...
19 March 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #185

Tolkien commented on Letter 184, from a Sam Gamgee of Tooting. The last fragment of the letter commented on Allen & Unwins prognosis for book sales, ext...
21 March 1956
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Ernest Rasdall

Tolkien confirms that a parcel arrived safely but due to being unwell and during a busy time he had not replied. Tolkien will return the books (Hammond/...
28 March 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Patricia Kirke

Tolkien writes a letter explaining his current bad health and work load. The letter was included in Gerard A.J. Stodolski Catalogue 299.
April 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Joanna de Bortadano  Letters #186

Joanna De Bortadano had asked Tolkien whether The Lord of the Rings was an allegory of Atomic power. Tolkien told her it was not; if there was any power...
3 April 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.  Letters #188

Allen & Unwin had signed an agreement to publish a Dutch translation of The Lord of the Rings, and asked for Tolkiens approval. Tolkien wrote them that ...
3 April 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Hugh Brogan  Letters #188a

Tolkien tells Hugh that although he will be delighted to see him, there are few hobbits left in Old Marston and Old Headington.
11 April 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to M. Wilson  Letters #189

Tolkien responded to a reader, Mrs. M. Wilson, who had apparently told him of the interest The Lord of the Rings received from children.
12-13 April 1956
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to William Galbraith

Sent on the 13th April as a separate note along with #TCGLetter235, Tolkien apologises for the slow nature of his reply. A complete transcript along wit...
12 April 1956
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr Earle

Written shortly after the publication of his new trilogy, Tolkiens letter comprises a thoughtful reply to a fan, Mr. Earle, who evidently was so excited...
16 April 1956
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to H [Humphrey]. Cotton Minchin

As with Tolkiens draft of this letter, this letter opens with Tolkiens ackowledgment of Minchins suggestions and his note that he is now more than ever ...
16 April 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to H [Humphrey]. Cotton Minchin  Letters #187

Tolkien describes himself as a philologist, and sometime calligrapher. An index of Elvish names was intended to be produced, noting that his specialist ...
20 April 1956
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to [Rev.] Paul Spilsbury

Writing to a fan, Tolkien says that he has no time to explain things concerning his writing at this time, noting that it is the beginning of term. But t...
28 April 1956
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Deirdre Levinson

Tolkien writes to Deirdre Levinson asking for tuition.
29 April 1956
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rosfrith Murray

Tolkien begins with apologies for his late reply, he has been very busy with work, staying up very late even. He says he has knows nothing about drama a...
29 April 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to George Allen & Unwin

Tolkien wrote to his publisher saying that he was being honoured/or pestered by would-be illustrators.
?Late June or July 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Houghton Mifflin Co.  Letters #182

Tolkien vowed to publish parts of his great history, if he was allowed. Because of the surprising success of The Lord of the Rings he expected the prior...
?Early July 1956
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Doris Elizabeth Sykes

Tolkien apologizes for making Doris Sykes anxious, explaining that had been very busy. He says that the publisher does not intend to make an illustrated...
2 July 1956
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Patricia Henderson

Tolkien declines an invitation to speak in Cambridge due to work load, especially philological matters. Tolkien says that he is very tired and cannot ex...
3 July 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #190

Tolkien had been sent a list of translations to the nomenclature for the first translation of The Lord of the Rings, into Dutch by Max Schuchart. Tolkie...
26 July 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss J. Burn  Letters #191

Tolkien urged Burns to re-read all passages dealing with Frodo and the Ring. She would see that it was quite impossible for him to surrender the Ring at...
27 July 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Amy Ronald  Letters #192

Tolkien told Ronald that he had just gotten another letter about Frodos failure (see Letter 191). Few had observed it, he said, but from the logic of th...
19 September 1956
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Terence Tiller

Tolkien replied to a letter from Mr. Tiller, dated 17 September 1956, giving his permission in principle for Mr. Tiller to produce the second two parts ...
2 November 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Terence Tiller  Letters #193

Tiller, adapting and producing the BBC Third Program version of The Lord of the Rings, had written to Tolkien asking for advice on accents. Tolkien took...
5 November 1956
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr Britten

Tolkien replies to questions, mostly involving The Silmarillion. It is plainly suggested that Elves do ‘sleep’, but not in our mode, having a differ...
6 November 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Alan Hill

Tolkien declines a dinner invitation.
6 November 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Terence Tiller  Letters #194

Tolkien had made two rapid readings of three episodes sent to him by Tiller and decided to make some comments before it was too late. He did not offer c...
6 November 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien  Letters #194a

Writing to son Michael, Tolkien muses on his faith and how it brings him solace in times of trouble, he details how it helps, how it sometimes is a burd...
11 November 1956
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr Britten

Among various topics, the letter discusses Gimli and Legolas,
22 November 1956
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Stanley-Smith

Tolkien replies to Miss Stanley-Smith of the Deddington Library and confirms he can attend and give a speech at the opening of the new library. He follo...
24 November 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #194b

In regards to the Dutch translation of The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien says he has not the time or energy to be overly critical of it, and in any case ha...
8 December 1956
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. [Anthony] Roberts

Tolkien replies to a fan letter with pleasure that Mr. Roberts is enjoying The Lord of the Rings. He makes a brief mention of his First and Second Age s...
15 December 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Amy Ronald  Letters #195

Tolkien told Miss Ronald that Frodo did not like weapons, but was not a pacifist in modern terms. Tolkien went on to tell Miss Ronald of his Catholicism...
16 December 1956
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr Britten

Tolkien discusses Richard IIIs portrait at Kings College, Cambridge.
19 December 1956
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Stanley-Smith

Tolkien replies to Miss Stanley-Smith after he had given a speech at the opening of Deddington Library. Tolkien feels his speech did not merit any fee s...
20 December 1956
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Deirdre Levinson

DRAFT: A two page lettercard to Deirdre Levinson dated 20 December 1956. The front of the card shows a four line quote from the Crist of Cynewulf, while...
24 December 1956
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Patricia Kirke

Tolkien writes to Patricia Kirke explaining he had been too busy to write Christmas cards or letters until just a few days prior. His daughter Priscilla...

1957

3 February 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #195a

Tolkien says that work is still getting in the way of him spending any time on The Silmarillion. He is having trouble with a professor in America as wel...
4 February 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Max Schuchart

Tolkien writes to Max Schuchart on matters of the Dutch translation of the Fellowship of the Ring.
1 March 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Walter Monckton

Tolkien writes to Monckton, suggesting dates for the next dinner in the hopes that Monckton can attend and add more weight to the Oxford side. He had de...
1 March 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #195b

Tolkien apologizes to Rayner for being exhausted at their previous meeting and says he is recovering from a very stressful school term. He says that he ...
21 March 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Katharine Farrer  Letters #196

Tolkien believed that Mrs Farrer had been much concerned about Jack Lewis’s troubles. Tolkien knew little beyond cautious hints of the extremely discr...
9 April 1957
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Haywood

Mr Haywood, a young reader of The Lord of the Rings, had written a letter of appreciation to Tolkien. The letter reflects on the success of The Hobbit. ...
24 April 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael George Tolkien  Letters #196a

Tolkien discusses various matters including academic news, Hebrew, work with The Jerusalem Bible, the Book of Jonah. Excerpts from this letter were publ...
25 April 1957
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to George Sayer

A short note, arranging lunch with Sayer,
3 May 1957
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Charles Blackwood

A letter to a young fan named Charles Blackwood. Discusses runes, Tolkien remarks that he did not invent the runes in The Hobbit. See for more details.
9 May 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #197

Allen and Unwin had sent Tolkien a substantial check for his earnings from The Lord of the Rings. Had he known of the bombshell earlier Tolkien said he ...
9 June 1957
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to William Ready

Tolkien sends his apologies for having not replied to William Readys letter, or to an invitation from the director of the Marquette Department of Englis...
19 June 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #198

An (unidentified) American filmmaker had expressed interest in making a cartoon film of The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien welcomed the idea of an animated ...
22 June 1957
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Andrew Schiller

In response to a paper that Andrew Schiller wrote and sent with a letter to Tolkien, he discusses the classic medieval tale Sir Gawain and the Green Kni...
24 June 1957
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Caroline Everett  Letters #199

Tolkien was both complementary and sorry to be the subject of Everetts thesis. He was disinclined to offer any biographical details since he doubted its...
25 June 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Major Bowen  Letters #200

Tolkien explained that Sauron was always de-bodied when vanquished. He was one of the minor angelic spirits, belonging to the race of intelligent beings...
26 June 1957
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Deirdre Levinson

Tolkien comments on conditions in South Africa, and gives Levinson news of various appointments in Oxford, including Nevill Coghill as the Merton Profes...
9 July 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Walter Monckton

Monckton had written to say that he cannot make the dinner of 13 July. Tolkien replies that the next dinner will be held on 14 December. He reminds Monc...
5 August 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jerome W. Archer

Tolkien discusses an invitation to visit the Marquette University the following spring as well health issues. He had been obliged to cancel plans to tra...
5 August 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jerome W. Archer

This letter sent on the same day as another (see #TCGLetter325) was to determine the practicalities of the visit to Marquette. The original letter, in t...
6 August 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to William Ready

Tolkien writes to William Ready of Marquette to confirm to him his intention to visit Marquette the following year. The original letter and a complete t...
?Mid-Septembr 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin

Tolkien sends his letter from 6 September intended for Forrest J. Ackerman to Rayner Unwin after hearing nothing more from him and asks him to forward i...
4 September 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #200a

Tolkien informs Rayner that he has had a meeting with Forrest J. Ackerman, acting for three persons, who were interested in filming The Lord of the Ring...
6 September 1957 (UNSENT)
J.R.R. Tolkien to Forrest J. Ackerman

Tolkien writes a letter to Forrest J. Ackerman but it will never be sent.
7 September 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #201

Writing to Rayner Unwin, Tolkien gives some thoughts on the material left with him by Forrest J. Ackerman, including the script of Morton Grady Zimmerma...
11 Sep 1957
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Clemence Dane

Tolkien writes a short note to Clemence Dane, thanking her for her kindness the day before. She had presented Tolkien with the International Fantasy Awa...
11 September 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher and Faith Tolkien  Letters #202

Tolkien describes his meeting with Sir Stanley Unwin and Mr Ackerman, they decided upon a policy of Art or Cash when dealing with film rights.
9-10 November 1957
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Przemyslaw Mroczkowski

Tolkien offers a critical commentary on an essay about Chaucer. Tolkien says that the essay is too abstract and avoids direct language too much. A descr...
17 November 1957
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Przemyslaw Mroczkowski

Tolkien replies with gratitude for the invitation for he and Edith to lunch but they cannot make the Tuesday but hopes to be asked again. He suggests th...
17 November 1957
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Herbert Schiro  Letters #203

In response to a letter from Herbert Schiro asking about allegory in The Lord of the Rings, with comparisons as five wizards = five senses, and Orcs are...
7 December 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #204

Tolkien writes to Rayner Unwin about translations and an index for The Lord of the Rings.
13 December 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #204a

Tolkien gives his thoughts to Rayner on the continuing work to try and turn the Lord of the Rings into a film. He gives his thoughts on the people wanti...
19 December 1957
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Patricia

Tolkien discusses his hectic schedule, translations of the rcently published (in 3 volumes) Lord of the Rings. Tolkien states that he is on leave now fo...
19 December 1957
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Cees Ouboter

Tolkien is invited to visit Holland. Edith is not well but he proposes some dates for the visit.

1958

C. 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to unknown

A brief note thanking a fan for their letter about The Lord of the Rings. A typeset of part of the letter exists in the Marquette archives.
10 January 1958
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael George Tolkien

A very brief note from Tolkien to his grandson on the occasion of his 15th birthday.
17 February 1958
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jonathan Wordsworth

Tolkien sends a very short note confirming a dinner. In an annotation, the recipient notes in reference to Tolkiens indicated writing time of 12:45 am :...
19 February 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Wood

Tolkien says he would very much like to meet you and Mr. David Smith. Tolkien is on leave due to his wifes illness and he will be visiting her in hospit...
21 February 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #205

Tolkien congratulates Christopher on a paper that he gave at St Annes College.
22 February 1958
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Wood

Tolkien confirms that Tuesday will be fine for a visit, though he has a guest around 7pm. The guest will be Mr Jonathan Wordsworth.
Early March 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Przemyslaw Mroczkowski

Sometime in 1958 (no later than 11 March) Tolkien broaches a difficult matter, he offers his friend financial support, in the form of £30, The second l...
11 March 1958
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Przemyslaw Mroczkowski

Tolkien writes to his friend Przemyslaw Mroczkowski saying that he is relieved that Przemyslaw will allow Tolkien to share a little of the proceeds of T...
12 March 1958
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Nancy Smith

Following the publication of the third volume from Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, many readers demands grew for an index or glossary that would help...
18 March 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Messrs. Voorhoeve en Dietrich  Letters #205a

Tolkien thanks Ouboter for the invitation to the festival, and says he is mostly looking forward to it. He points out that his understanding of Dutch is...
20 March 1958
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Cees Ouboter

Tolkien replies to Cees Ouboter of Holland regarding Ediths health along with relaying arrangements for his visit to Amsterdam via London and Rotterdam....
c. April or early May 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Forrest J. Ackerman (unfinished letter)

Tolkien had begun writing a letter to Forrest J. Ackerman in April or May which he says is to give an idea of the changes and reductions he would tolera...
2 April 1958
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Peter Alford

Tolkien had just returned from Holland and had obtained a copy of the invitation and menu for Peter Alford. All went well except a change to the speaker...
2 April 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Messrs. Voorhoeve en Dietrich  Letters #205b

Tolkien writes a letter thanking Mr. Ouboter regarding his visit to Holland. He says that the sooner he can return there, the better.
3 April 1958
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Professor Jongkees

A letter of reply to the professor who had invited Tolkien for a cup of tea, Tolkien replies as if by Gandalf.
8 April 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #206

Tolkien describes in great detail his trip to Rotterdam.
8 April 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #207

Tolkien writes to Rayner Unwin about the Zimmerman adaption of The Lord of the Rings. Some additional quotes beyond what appear in Letters are reproduce...
10 April 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to C. Ouboter  Letters #208

Tolkien describes the message in The Lord of the Rings.
?11 April–c. 21 April and c. 28 April–5 May 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Forrest J. Ackerman

Tolkien had been visited by Forest J. Ackerman in September 1957 (see reference) to discuss a proposed adaptation of The Lord of the Rings. Ackerman sho...
12 April 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Professor Jongkees

Tolkien wrote a two page letter to Professor Jongkees. He is pleased that many of those who have read his books are devoted to the sciences. He says tha...
4 May 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Robert Murray, S.J.  Letters #209

Tolkien discusses philology and the original meaning of words.
16 May 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin

Writing to Rayner, Tolkien says that his face is healing and he is feeling better, and able to read and write again. He has not been able to complete th...
27 May 1958
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Nancy Smith

Due to demand from fans, Rayner Unwin hires editor and friend Nancy Smith to help Tolkien compile an index for The Lord of the Rings. See also #TCGLette...
27 May 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin

Tolkien writes to Rayner Unwin, including a letter with a sheet of answers to be forwarded to Nancy Smith. He has been waylaid by many bothers and will ...
9 June 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Forrest J. Ackerman  Letters #210

After receiving the script sent from Morton Grady Zimmerman Tolkien replies with (in parts) stinging criticism. He opens by apologising for sounding irr...
16 June 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin

Tolkien writes to Rayner Unwin, including the Zimmerman story-line along with the cover note to Ackerman. Tolkien tells Rayner that he does not want to ...
11 October 1958 - 26 February 1959
J.R.R. Tolkien to Symm and Company

Noted at Archives Hub, and held at the Oxfordshire History Centre, is held correspondence between the buidling contractor Symm and Company and J.R.R. To...
14 October 1958
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rhona Beare  Letters #211

Covering more than six pages, Tolkien replied to several questions asked by Rhona Beare. A draft of this letter was included as Letter 212. Sam chanted ...
14 October 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rhona Beare  Letters #212

Tolkien describes the creation of the World and then of the Dwarves by Aulë in draft that was never sent to Beare.
20 October 1958
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Misses E. Jones and J. Taylor

Tolkien sends his apologies not replying earlier, he describes himself as a much harassed man.
23 October 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Marjorie Incledon  Letters #212a

Tolkien discusses his decision on moving house after retirement, and his frustrations on the work being done to his current residence. He discusses how ...
25 October 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Deborah Webster  Letters #213

Tolkien says he does not like giving facts about himself, other than dry ones. Not only for personal reasons but Tolkien says he dislikes contemporary c...
26 October 1958
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to L.M. Cutts

Tolkien apologises for the cost of The Lord of the Rings,

1959

[late 1958-early 1959]
J.R.R. Tolkien to A.C. Nunn  Letters #214

Tolkien describes Hobbit history and the process of giving and receiving gifts in the Shire.
4 February 1959
J.R.R. Tolkien to [Father] Alex Jones  Letters #214a

Tolkien expresses his hope that he will upon retirement, be able to work on a new Bible translation but expresses concerns for Ediths health and says th...
21? February 1959
J.R.R. Tolkien to William Ready

Tolkien makes arrangements for the transfer of money regarding the purchase of his manuscripts of The Lord of the Rings. The original letter in the form...
24 February 1959
J.R.R. Tolkien to Merton College Porters

Note from Tolkien to the Merton College Porters asking them to allow his secretary, Miss Hope, to collect any letters or parcels addressed to him at the...
4 March 1959
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien  Letters #214b

Writing to his son Michael, Tolkien remarks on the state of their house, and Ediths recovery from a broken arm. He also talks about his recent health st...
5 March 1959
J.R.R. Tolkien to William Ready

Tolkien writes with gratitude regarding Readys arrangement of the purchase by the Marquette University of Tolkiens manuscripts for The Lord of the Rings...
17 April 1959
J.R.R. Tolkien to Walter Allen  Letters #215

Tolkien declines to take part in a symposium on Childrens writing in draft form, but ends up sending just a short note.
8 May 1959
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Hope

Tolkien sends a cheque, and thanks Miss Hope for her help, especially for beginning the task of putting his papers in order, and he comments on local el...
19 May 1959
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Dr. Zettersten

Tolkien confirms that Ancrene Wisse is at the press and should be available soon but this all depends on how quickly he can get the proofs back to them....
26 May 1959
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Robinson

A brief letter from Tolkien thanking Miss Robinson for her letter and the mention of her enjoyment of his work.
15 June 1959
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. A.C. Cawley

A.C. Cawley wrote to Tolkien regarding Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and from Tolkiens reply we can deduce that there had perhaps been some mind to us...
19 June 1959
J.R.R. Tolkien to Benjamin Knights

Tolkien writes to Benjamin, and thanks him for buying The Lord of the Rings and answers a question on the height of Amon Hen, he doubts it was much over...
5 July 1959
J.R.R. Tolkien to Patricia Kirke

A melancholy letter expressing various complaints.
4 August 1959
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #215a

Tolkien tells Rayner that he would like his translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight to be published next and details his work on Ancrene Wisse. H...
12 August 1959
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Dell

Tolkien writes his thanks for Dells letter and forwards a copy to his US publishers.
12 August 1959
J.R.R. Tolkien to Deputy Registrar, University of Madras  Letters #216

Tolkien declines an appointment as a member of a Board of Examiners.
11 September 1959
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin  Letters #217

Tolkien writes about the Polish translation of The Lord of the Rings. A slightly different quotation from the letter is given in Chronology from that re...
9 October 1959
J.R.R. Tolkien to Eric Rogers  Letters #218

Tolkien replies about an English usage question referring to has or have.
15 October 1959
J.R.R. Tolkien to Naomi Mitchison  Letters #219*

Tolkien discusses his retirement. *PLEASE NOTE THAT IN THE ORIGINAL EDITION THIS LETTER WAS NUMBERED #220
16 October 1959
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin  Letters #220*

A Cambridge cat breeder had asked if she could register a litter of Siamese kittens under names taken from The Lord of the Rings. * PLEASE NOTE THAT IN ...
8 November 1959
J.R.R. Tolkien to Naomi Mitchison  Letters #220a

Writing to Naomi Mitchison, Tolkien apologizes that he has not been able to see her. He and Edith had gone away to Beournemouth and her letters, twice d...
24 November 1959
J.R.R. Tolkien to D. M. Hawke, First Assistant Registrar, Oxford University  Letters #221

Tolkien writes to D. M. Hawke (First Assistant Registrar, Oxford University) on the Board of the Faculty of English about his retirement.
December 1959
J.R.R. Tolkien to Przemyslaw Mroczkowski

Tolkien complains about his forced retirement and inadequate pension. A description of the letter was included in Christies Fine Printed Books and Manus...
9 December 1959
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #222

Tolkien writes to Rayner about his translations of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Pearl.

1960

Between 1960 and 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien to Dorothy Wood

Tolkien wrote a series of letters to his cousin Dorothy Wood and Sothebys auction house quoted from many. Among those that no date could be determined c...
1960s
J.R.R. Tolkien to Przemyslaw Mroczkowski

In this letter Tolkien complains of the effects of old age and other troubles.
7 January 1960
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. K.F. Mawson

A fascinating letter on the labors of producing his iconic work, concluding with a humorous aside on real-life namesakes of his famous characters. A pho...
9 February 1960
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #222a

Tolkien informs Rayner that by way of looking at the Scunthorpe lists This letter is held at the Tolkien–George Allen & Unwin archive, HarperCollins.
12 February 1960
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #222b

Tolkien tells Rayner that he is getting to his work on the translations of Sir Gawain and Pearl, in addition to The Silmarillion, however the arrival of...
29 February 1960
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #222c

Tolkien asks Rayners thoughts on publishing small or minor bits having to do with the Ring Cycle. He says that he is being asked for these, and that the...
1 March 1960
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin  Letters #222d

Writing to Allen & Unwin, Tolkien says that he has been sent five more copies of Sagam om Ringen, he notes that Swedish is not especially popular in Eng...
15 March 1960
J.R.R. Tolkien to Ruth Spalding

No details are known of this letter. It is held at the Wade.
April 1960
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Triode

Tolkiens letter, of which an extract is published in Triode 18 (May 1960) deals with the possibility of a film of The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien says th...
4 April 1960
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jane Neave  Letters #222e

Tolkien tells Jane Neave that he will send her a long instalment for reference.
2 May 1960
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to unknown

According to Kennys bookstore in Dublin, The letter was a reply by Tolkien to a publisher who had sent him a copy of a childrens book to proof and to pr...
5 May 1960
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #222f

Writing to Rayner Unwin, Tolkien tells him that he has had very little time for literary work of late, but says that the latest royalty check from The H...
7 July 1960
J.R.R. Tolkien to Heinrich Wolfgang Donner

In this letter to his friend, Heinrich Wolfgang Donner, Tolkien says he is disaproving of the Swedish translation cover art for The Fellowship of the Ri...
7 July 1960
J.R.R. Tolkien to Alina Dadlez

Tolkien writes to Alina Dadlez saying that the Dutch Hobbit paperbacks printed by Prisma have arrived safely. He thinks the translation is reasonably we...
31 July 1960
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #223

Tolkiens publishing commitments are catching up with him. Chronology reproduced a slightly longer selection of the letter than what appears in Letters. ...
30 August 1960
J.R.R. Tolkien to George Lewis Hersh

Letter concerns various points in The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion.
12 September 1960
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #224

Tolkien comments on the C.S. Lewis book Studies in Words.
10 December 1960
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #225

Tolkien discusses Puffin Books offer to print The Hobbit.
31 December 1960
J.R.R. Tolkien to L.W. Forster  Letters #226

Writing to L.W. Forster, Tolkien states that The Lord of the Rings was not influenced by the two World Wars, except for the landscape. The 2023 revised ...

1961

1961
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Fettes

Christopher Fettes had written to Tolkien asking why he referred to both Tom Bombadil and Treebeard as the oldest beings in Middle-earth. In Tolkiens re...
5 January 1961
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs E. C. Ossendrijver  Letters #227

Of this letter, a large portion was published as Letter #227 in The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien. In the opening portion of this letter to Madam Ossendrijv...
24 January 1961
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin  Letters #228

Tolkien writes about including the Appendices of The Lord of the Rings in translations. Quoted selections from the letter appear in Chronology that are ...
26 January 1961
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Amy Ronald

Tolkien apologises for not replying to Amy Ronalds letter sooner. He has been working hard so as to give undivided attention to further work on the hobb...
13 February 1961
J.R.R. Tolkien to [Father] Alex Jones  Letters #228a

Tolkien writes to Father Alex Jones apologizing for being late in his submission to the new Bible translation project, and says that he has been stuck i...
23 February 1961
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin  Letters #229

Tolkien’s commentary on Åke Ohlmarks’ introduction to the Swedish translation of The Lord of the Rings.
9 May 1961
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Henry St. J. Hart

Tolkien writes to say that he unexpectedly able to come to Cambridge on the Saturday and he can stay until Monday. See also #TCGLetter467
9 May 1961
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Dufton

Tolkien writes to say that he unexpectedly can come to Cambridge on Saturday and he can stay until Monday. See also #TCGLetter466
23 May 1961
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin

Tolkien discusses the artist Cor Bloks pictures and whether any artist could do justice to the noble and heroic in his works.
1 June 1961
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jan Broberg

Tolkien regrets that he shall not be in Oxford when suggested. I shall be away from the 19th June until the 15th July. Tolkien will reside in Bournemout...
8 June 1961
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rhona Beare  Letters #230

Answering various questions about The Lord of the Rings. A photocopy of original letter with a complete transcript is held at the Marquette archives.
3 July 1961
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Gilmore

Writing to Mr. Gilmore, Tolkien explains that there will not be a sequel to The Lord of the Rings,
28 July 1961
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Pamela Chandler

Tolkien arranges to be photographed by Pamela Chandler.
2 August 1961
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Pamela Chandler

Tolkien gives the photographer Pamela Chandler directions to find his house.
27 September 1961
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to M.R. Ridley

Tolkien corrects a mistake in Mr. Ridleys Elvish and congratulates him on his use of the language. This letter, with others, was made available for auct...
1 October 1961
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Pamela Chandler

Tolkien asks Pamela Chandler for some prints from the galleys that she has sent him.
4 October 1961
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jane Neave  Letters #231

Tolkien writes to his Aunt Jane about publishing Tom Bombadil.
11 October 1961
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Pamela Chandler

Tolkien thanks Pamela for allowing him to keep the proofs of the photos she took.
11 October 1961
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin

Tolkien suggests a book about Tom Bombadil as an interim amusement that wouldnt cost too much. He suggests Pauline Baynes as illustrator.
Not dated (November 1961)
J.R.R. Tolkien to Joan Anne Tolkien  Letters #231a

Tolkien describes the changes to the town of Oxford since he has been living there. He says that many of the changes are not for the better, noise, cong...
4 November 1961
J.R.R. Tolkien to Joyce Reeves  Letters #232

Tolkien talks about his pre-WWI trip to the Alps.
13 November 1961
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Paul Barnetson

Tolkien thanks Mr. Barnetson for his letter,
15 November 1961
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jane Neave

Tolkien has been asked to provide more poems to go with Tom Bombadil as the book is too small: A description of the letter appeared in The J.R.R. Tolkie...
15 November 1961
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #233

Allen & Unwin agree to publish The Adventures of Tom Bombadil.
18 November 1961
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin

Tolkien sends an additional poem (Princess Mee) to Rayner Unwin for possible inclusion in the Tom Bombadil poetry book.
22 November 1961
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jane Neave  Letters #234

Tolkien sends some poems that he is considering for The Adventures of Tom Bombadil. A lecture he gave on fairy stories at St Andrews consolidated his vi...
23 November 1961
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Pauline Baynes

Tolkien notes the evolution of the The Adventures of Tom Bombadil,
6 December 1961
J.R.R. Tolkien to Pauline Baynes  Letters #235

Pauline Baynes, who had illustrated Farmer Giles of Ham, had expressed herself willing to provide pictures for The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, and had b...
8 December 1961
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin

Tolkien has misgivings about the Tom Bombadil poems being incompatible, particularly The Sea-Bell.
28 December 1961
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Pauline Baynes

Tolkien writes to Pauline Baynes about Farmer Giles of Ham translations.
28 December 1961
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Przemyslaw Mroczkowski

Tolkien writes He offers his best wishes for Christmas and refers to Przemyslaw Mroczkowskis mention of a Polish translation (assumed to be of The Lord ...
29 December 1961
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Perry

Tolkien replies to Perry explaining his delay as be is not able to remember addresses and that his papers are not in order. Tolkien goes on to discuss h...
30 December 1961
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #236

Tolkien has read the Puffin Hobbit and was not impressed with changes made to the book. Chronology contains additional quoted material beyond what appea...

1962

1 February 1962
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Cor Blok

Tolkien writes to Corr Blok about Bloks Exhibition of his paintings and offers to buy two of them, The Battle of the Hornburg and The Dead Marshes.
5 February 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin

Tolkien submits additional poems for possible inclusion in the Tom Bombadil book - Firiel, The Trees of Kortirion, Shadow-Bride and Knocking at the Door...
26 February 1962
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J.R.R. Tolkien to P.C. Buiter

Tolkien writes to Mr Buiter to inform him of the Puffin Hobbits publication.
6 April 1962
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J.R.R. Tolkien to George Sayer

Edith had an accident and fell, leaving herself unable to be left alone. Tolkien therefore had to cancel his plan to see his friend George Sayer.
12 April 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #237

Tolkien discusses progress with The Adventures of Tom Bombadil. Chronology contains additional material quoted beyond what appears in Letters. The origi...
16 April 1962
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Miriam Hirsch

Tolkien writes expressing his sorrow at his delay in replying. He pleads be excused as he is still very busy and have little time to spare if I am ever ...
11 May 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to Joy Hill

Tolkien replies to Joy Hill and includes the signed contract sent on 9 May. He says he will deal with the other matters over the weekend. See #TCGLetter...
14 May 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to Joy Hill

Following Tolkiens letter of 11 May (#TCGLetter1231) he sends Joy Hill a corrected introduction for The Adventures of Tom Bombadil along with correction...
25 June 1962
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Pauline Baynes

Tolkien notes his admiration of Baynes working practices and laments his own. He again asks for Baynes to work on the book and hopes for a visit. He con...
18 July 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jane Neave  Letters #238

Writing to his aunt, Jane Neave, and in a newly published From the original Letters, 1981. Tolkien had sent Jane a cheque, but she returned it suggestin...
20 July 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to Alina Dadlez  Letters #239

Writing to Alina Dadlez, Tolkien explains his displeasure at the Spanish translation of Hobbit and remarks back to the private fancies of the translator...
21 July 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #239a

Tolkien informs Rayner Unwin that he is now in residence until 2 October and will return on 10 October as he is once again involved in term. He is stand...
1 August 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to Pauline Baynes  Letters #240

Pauline Baynes, who was illustrating The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, pointed out that the typescript of the title poem described Tom as wearing a peacoc...
3 August 1962
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Pauline Baynes

Tolkien sends his reaction to the first pictures produced for the book:
9 August 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin

Tolkien writes to Rayner, agreeing on a visit to London on 22 August. He has written to Pauline, and today receives a reply from her that she is proceed...
29 August 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin

Tolkien sends his comments on the illustrations by Pauline Baynes to Rayner Unwin. Extracts are found in The J.R.R. Tolkien Companion and Guide: Chronol...
8-9 September 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jane Neave  Letters #241

Tolkien writes about his lecture English and Welsh and about Leaf by Niggle.
19 September 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to Alina Dadlez

Tolkie writes explaining that I prefer hobitos since it preserves to the eye more relationship to the original word. I do not much mind the h being mute...
31st October 1962
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Kurt Festinger

Tolkien responds to a fan, saying that he cannot promise further adventures in Middle-earth.
2 November 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #241a

Tolkien says that as Rayner knows, The Adventures of Tom Bombadil began, with his Aunt Jane. he asks that a complimentary copy be sent to her and charge...
7 November 1962
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Sheppard

Tolkien sends a short letter with his pleasure that Mr. Lambert enjoys his writing.
9 November, 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin

Tolkien thanks Rayner for sending him Sir Stanley Unwins article in the Sunday Times. He will send a list of people who he wishes to receive a copy of t...
14 November 1962
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J.R.R. Tolkien to H [Humphrey]. Cotton Minchin

Tolkien expresses gratitude for Philip Toynbees famous assault on his work in The Observer in 1961: Minchin was editor of The Legion Book (1929) and, li...
15th November 1962
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss P. M. Strain

A brief letter thanking a fan for her letter and one from her niece. Tolkien says he hopes to write more about The Lord of the Rings but has many commit...
?19 November, 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #241b

In secret, Allen & Unwin had been putting a Festschrift together to present to Tolkien on his 70th birthday. Tolkien writes to to congratulate Rayner fo...
28 November 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to Sir Stanley Unwin  Letters #242

The Adventures of Tom Bombadil was published on 22 November. Additional quotes and context appear in Chronology than what is in Letters. The original le...
16 December 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to Austin and Katharine Farrer  Letters #242a

Tolkien gives thanks for a gift of a booklet on the Rosary and says that he has benefited from it tremendously. He gives his reasoning for coming to the...
19 December 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien  Letters #243

Tolkien wished Mick a merry Christmas. After his retirement, so the Professor told, he was short of money, but Allen & Unwin paid his royalties for the ...
23 December 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to Pauline Baynes

Tolkien writes to Pauline Baynes giving her news on the reception of the Bombadil book.

1963

c. 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to Unknown  Letters #244

A fragment at the top of which Tolkien has written: ‘Comments on a criticism (now lost?) concerning Faramir & Eowyn (c. 1963).’
12 February 1963
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Elliot-Howard

Mr. Elliot-Howard had written to Tolkien telling him of his adventures travelling around the world with his copy of The Lord of the Rings.
13 February 1963
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Hooton

Tolkien is deep in snow
13 February 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Allen

Tolkien writes to Miss Allen and notes that the Mewlips of his poem are mere legend, and that although the Hobbits are treated in his work as historical...
17 February 1963
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Julie Cape

Tolkien writes to Julie Cape thanking her for her letter of appreciation. She has enjoyed The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings and Tolkien hopes that sh...
21 February 1963
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs Gill

Tolkien writes to Mrs Gill, thanking her for her letter. He is pleased she has enjoyed his books. He is amazed that she waited patiently for two years t...
11 March 1963
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J.R.R. Tolkien to T. P. Dunning

Tolkien apologises, and mentions his and Ediths poor health.
April 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Charles Huttar

No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
6 April 1963
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J.R.R. Tolkien to My Dear People

Addressed to a couple Tolkien had met on a particularly disastrous holiday with his wife - it describes a holiday Tolkien and his wife took in 1963, alt...
18 April - 6 May 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. and Mrs. Kroos

In this letter, a reply to the Klooss letter from March, Tolkien writes about his inspirations for The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. It was started ...
23 May 1963
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Bruce Mitchell

Tolkien discusses Beowulf, The short extract above comes from Kevin Crossley-Hollands 1968 translation of Beowulf. See ( Longer extracts were published ...
25 June 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rhona Beare  Letters #245

Answers to the following questions: (1) In the ‘English runes’ used for Anglo-Saxon inscriptions, the rune does not stand for G as it does in The Lo...
20 September 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to Colonel Worskett  Letters #247

Tolkien writes about The Lord of the Rings, comparisons to The Hobbit, some discussion of the material being worked on for The Silmarillion, and a lengt...
22 September 1963
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Eileen Elgar  Letters #246

Tolkien answers questions about The Lord of the Rings, especially regarding the failure of Frodo. An excerpt from the letter has appeared in Sothebys En...
5 October 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to Sir Stanley Unwin  Letters #248

Allen & Unwin were to publish a paperback consisting of Tolkien’s lecture ‘On Fairy-stories’ and his short story ‘Leaf by Niggle’. An addition...
16 October 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael George Tolkien  Letters #249

Tolkien describes his visit to the Hotel Miramar in Bournemouth. Chronology contains a few additional quotes from the letter that do not appear in Carpe...
20 October 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #249a

Tolkien writes to Christopher to congratulate him in a way on being named a Fellow at Exeter College.
21 October 1963
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs. Munby

Writing to a Mrs Munby (while at Hotel Miramar, Bournemouth) in response to a number of questions posed by her son Stephen about The Lord of the Rings, ...
1 November 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien  Letters #250

Tolkien remarked that Michael apparently had not inherited a dislike of letter-writing, but the inability to write briefly. Inevitably it meant that the...
?Late November -?early December 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien  Letters #252

Tolkien writes about the death of C.S. Lewis.
26 November 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to Priscilla Tolkien  Letters #251

Tolkien discusses the death of C.S. Lewis.
28 November 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to George Sayer

Tolkien writes a letter to George Sayer after the death and funeral of his friend and Narnia creator C.S. Lewis. Years before Lewis had requested Tolkie...
29th November 1963
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs. Gordon R. Naylor

A response to a fan who asked about the use of their maiden name in The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien explains that it was entirely coincidental and refers...
December 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jared C. Lobdell

Tolkien discusses C.S. Lewis and his qualities as a reader.
1960s (likely December 1963)
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Eileen Elgar

Tolkien thanks Eileen Elgar for her card and sends her a copy of his verse which he describes as an American copy but printed in England. Tolkien apolog...
4 December 1963
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Clark

On page two of this three page letter Tolkien discusses various subjects including Leaf by Niggle,
6 December 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to Madam Ossendrijver

A brief letter stating that The Silmarillion is not yet complete, but that The Adventures of Tom Bombadil should be coming out soon in America. He compl...
7 December 1963
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Rosalind Ramage

Tolkien discusses rhyme and a poem sent to the professor by the recipient Roalind Ramage, offers much encouragement and includes a poem of his own for R...
11 December 1963
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Howard McCord

Howard McCord was a creative writing professor at Washington State University when he wrote a letter to Tolkien. He compliments Tolkien on The Fellowshi...
16 December 1963
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Baronne A. Baeyens

Tolkien opens this letter by apologising for his delay in replying to a letter from September, and that his secretary had typed up a note but he felt a ...
18 December 1963
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Jonathan Hepworth

Tolkien replied to a letter from Jonathan thanking for his letter - and especially for the (horrible) view of Mordor and the destruction of Orodruin. I ...
18 December 1963
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Hepworth

Tolkien writes a short note to Mr. Hepworth, the father of Jonathan who had sent Tolkien a drawing of Mordor. He thanks Mr. Hepworth for his letter and ...
23 December 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #253

It had been agreed that the new paperback (see no. 248) should be given the title Tree and Leaf. Rayner Unwin asked if Tolkien could suggest a suitable ...
25-26 December 1963
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Nancy Smith

Tolkien writes on Christmas Day to Nancy Smith who in the 1950s had prepared an index to the Lord of the Rings. He explains he had retrieved her letter ...

1964

1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to A correspondent

In a footnote in Unfinished Tales, Christopher Tolkien quotes from this otherwise unknown letter discussing confusion around the numbering of Númenorea...
9 January 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rev. Denis Tyndall  Letters #254

Tyndall, an old boy of King Edward’s, Birmingham, had written to Tolkien recalling their schooldays together.
17 January 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to The Royal Society of Literature

Tolkien was asked to write an obituary for the Royal Societys journal. He suggests Owen Barfield may be willing. Tolkien writes, saying that I feel his ...
17 January 1964
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs. A. Mountfield

A typed letter of thanks to Mrs A. Mountfield of Eltham Green School, thanking her for sending the letter by one of her class children (#TCGLetter541) w...
17 January 1964
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Master Clements

Tolkien thanks Master Clements for his appreciation of The Hobbit and suggests that the other books I have written which you might enjoy, Farmer Giles o...
17 January 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jocelyn Gibb

No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
18 January 1964
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Justin Arundale

Tolkien replies to Justin Arundale aged ten explaining that the Silmarillion will not be published for some time yet. He closes by asking him to tell hi...
20-26 January 1964
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Przemyslaw Mroczkowski

A reply to a sympathetic letter of Professor Przemyslaw Mroczkowski in Kraków. Tolkien hopes that his friend has recovered from an operation, though To...
24 January 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jocelyn Gibb

No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
8 February 1964 (not sent)
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #254a

Tolkien writes to Christopher. He reflects on the unwillingness of contemporary society to discuss complicated issues in the public square, and alludes ...
28 February 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to James Heaf

Tolkien answers a question about what Hal saw on the North Moors - Tolkien does not think it was an Entwife, but likely a troll. He also recommends Heaf...
5 March 1964
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Eileen Elgar  Letters #255

Eileen Elgar wrote to Tolkien asking for information about The Silmarillion. Included in his reply was a nine page manuscript, with genealogical tree il...
13 May 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Colin Bailey  Letters #256

An account of Tolkien’s unfinished story ‘The New Shadow’. See #Letter338 for more about the events after The Lord of the Rings. Chronology mentio...
30 May 1964
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Jane T. Sibley

Miss Jane T. Sibley, a college student in Haddam, Connecticut, asked Tolkien why the runes used in The Hobbit and in The Lord of the Rings were not of t...
6 June 1964
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Sue Parman

Tolkien replies to Sue Parman, who had adapted some of Tolkiens poetry to music and sent him a recording on tape. On 6 June 1964, Tolkien sent her a let...
13-15 June 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to W.R. Matthews

Tolkien discusses Black Speech stating that it was not intentionally modelled on any style, but was meant to be self-consistent, very different from Elv...
8 July 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to James Heaf

In an earlier letter (See #TCGLetter544) Tolkien had suggested that James Heaf read his forthcoming book The Silmarillion. He now regrets that The Silma...
10 July 1964
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs. Marcus

In this typed letter with a hand written post script Tolkien discusses the development of The Lord of the Rings saying that Hobbits were not a late addi...
10 July 1964
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Alan White

Tolkien replies thanking Alan White for his Runes. Included in this typed letter was a signature written in Roman and Tengwar letters. See DTS 68 - The ...
15 July 1964
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss J.L. Curry

Tolkien writes about Walt Disney and then on the second and final page says that he has been ill and unable to work. He is now better. Extracts from the...
16 July 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Bretherton  Letters #257

Tolkien assured Bretherton that typing was not a discourtesy. He usually typed since his handwriting tended to start fair but then drift into picturesqu...
31 July 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jared Lobdell

Tolkien discusses the proverb third time proves best.
2 August 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #258

During 1964 an Aquastroll hydrofoil, which made a trial crossing from Calais to Dover, was given the name Shadowfax (the name of the horse ridden by Gan...
7 August 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Anne Barrett  Letters #259

Tolkien is asked why Tree and Leaf is called Tree and Leaf.
10 August 1964
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Carole Ward

Tolkien replies to a question on a dramatization of The Lord of the Rings for BBC 2. His secretary had rediscovered the letter from March and apologises...
14 August 1964
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Joy Hill

Tolkien discusses the serialisation of The Hobbit in The Princess. Tolkien notes that dwarves is used throughout in his book, but it would be ok for thi...
15 August 1964
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Richard Potts

Tolkien replies to a letter which included a questionaire. Tolkiens reply is priceless. Richard Potts sent Professor Tolkien a questionnaire whilst work...
16 August 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Carey Blyton  Letters #260

Blyton had asked Tolkien’s permission to compose a Hobbit Overture.
21 August 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to G. Burke Johnston

No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade and contains a handwritten letter and a typed letter.
21st August 1964
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Kurt Festinger

Tolkien responds to a fan letter, pointing out where the runes in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings are translated in those books, and what his initi...
28 August 1964
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J.R.R. Tolkien to E. Rasdall

Tolkien replies, thanking Mr. E. Rasdall for his interest in his writing and returns the copy of The Adventures of Tom Bombadil to be signed. Tolkien ex...
30 August 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to L. Sprague de Camp

Tolkien writes to Lyon Sprague de Camp, an American author of science fiction and fantasy books, he had sent Tolkien a copy of Swords and Sorcery, an an...
30 August 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Anne Barrett  Letters #261

A comment on an article about C. S. Lewis by one of his former pupils, George Bailey, in The Reporter, 23 April 1964.
7 September 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael di Capua  Letters #262

Tolkien responds to a query from Pantheon Books about writing a preface to George MacDonald’s The Golden Key. It never got past the draft stage, but l...
10 September 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Houghton Mifflin  Letters #263

Tolkien is not happy with the design of HMCos Tree and Leaf.
11 September 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Joy Hill  Letters #264

Tolkien really does not like the design of HMCos Tree and Leaf. He comments negatively on Carole Wards proposal for a serialization of The Lord of the R...
11 November 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Clyde S. Kilby

Tolkien replies to questions about how the manuscripts of The Lord of the Rings and Mr. Bliss were sold to Marquette University. Excerpts from this lett...
11 November 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to David Kolb, S.J.  Letters #265

Tolkien was asked about his views on the works of C.S. Lewis.
15 December 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jocelyn Gibb

Jocelyn Gibb requested any letters from C. S. Lewis that could be included in a forthcoming volume. Tolkien exchanged few letters with C. S. Lewis, as t...
31 December 1964
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Ingeborg Korff

This letter was from Tolkien to school children in Germany. Tolkien remarks that he was particularly interested to know that you have not only read The ...
Before 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Richard Lupoff

Tolkien wrote to Richard Lupoff denying any influence from the writings of Edgar Rice Burroughs on the creation of Shelob. An extract from the letter wa...

1965

Mid to late 1960s
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Blashka

A letter written in the third person and sent to his assistant Joy Hill, presumably for her to type and send on, being a response to a letter received f...
5 January 1965
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Hilary Tolkien

Tolkien writes to his brother to thank him for visiting on his birthday.
6 January 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael George Tolkien  Letters #266

In this letter from Tolkien to his grandson, who was studying at St. Andrews University, Tolkien apologizes that his translations of Sir Gawain and the ...
9-10 January 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien  Letters #267

Tolkien talks about the death of Dr C.T. Onions and his memories of Fr. Francis.
19 January 1965
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Unnamed (EXAMPLE OF A STOCK-REPLY)

An example of brief stock letters that would be sent with Tolkiens written signature to readers who had sent letters to Tolkien. It reads Thank you very...
19 January 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss A. P. Northey  Letters #268

Tolkien describes what happened to Shadowfax at the end of The Lord of the Rings (he went with Gandalf into the West).
24 January 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Joan O. Falconer

Replying to Falconers letter of 17 January, Tolkien discusses Sam Gamgees character in The Lord of the Rings. Excerpts have been published in Mythprint ...
11 May 1965
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Agatha Carew Hunt

This letter is dated 11 May 1965 and was originally a stock reply to her letter of appreciation. Tolkien discovers the letter on 4 October, and adds a n...
12 May 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to W.H. Auden  Letters #269

Auden had asked Tolkien if the notion of the Orcs, an entire race that was irredeemably wicked, was not heretical.
20 May 1965
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Eder

Tolkien replies to fan letter thanking Mr. Eder for his letters and pictures of stained glass windows. He enjoyed seeing them. He also alerts Eder to th...
20 May 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #270

Tolkien had sent Unwin the typescript of his new story Smith of Wootton Major. It seemed to Unwin to need the companionship of other stories to make a s...
25 May 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #271

Tolkien writes about revising The Lord of the Rings.. Additional quotes from this letter concerning the revising of Sir Gawain are published in Chronolo...
28 May 1965
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Unknown young lady from New Zealand

A young girl from New Zealand had written to Tolkien a letter about genealogy and hobbit recipes for cooking rabbits, Tolkiens secretary wrote back a ni...
20 May 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Nan C. Scott

This is a stock reply letter but Tolkien adds that he is hindered in writing the Silmarillion because of having to revise The Lord of the Rings to fight...
7 June 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Swann

Tolkien writing to Donald Swann mentions a visit from Swann and his wife. The Tolkiens were delighted to spend time with them. The matter of the visit a...
20 July 1965
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Zillah Sherring  Letters #272

In a second-hand bookshop in Salisbury, Wiltshire, Zillah Sherring found and bought a copy of The Fifth Book of Thucydides which contained a number of s...
21 July 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Nan C. Scott  Letters #273

Mrs Scott was a leading campaigner in the battle to keep the pirate edition of The Lord of the Rings out of the American bookshops.
28 July 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Austin Olney  Letters #274

Tolkien discusses revising The Lord of the Rings and the maps. Additional quotes can be found in the Chronology entry for this letter. The original is i...
31 July 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Austin Olney  Letters #274a

Tolkien writes to Austin Olney, at Houghton Mifflin, with corrections and additions to The Two Towers.
3 August 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to The Librarian at Marquette

Tolkien writes to the Librarian at Marquette asking for copies of manuscript materials needed for revising The Lord of the Rings. The original letter wi...
4 August 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to W.H. Auden  Letters #275

Auden had invited Tolkien to contribute to a festschrift marking the retirement of Nevill Coghill. He also asked if Tolkien knew that a ‘New York Tolk...
24 August 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #275a

Tolkien apologizes once again for being late in getting work to Rayner, this time revisions on the 3rd edition of The Hobbit. He says that many revision...
26 August 1965
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Paula Coston (née Iley)

Tolkien wrote to a young family friend, containing a long discussion about composing verse. The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings were about to be publis...
12 September 1965
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Dick Plotz  Letters #276

Tolkien writes about The Silmarillion, the Númenórean legends, and his friendship with C.S. Lewis. He discusses the formation of the Tolkien Society o...
12 September 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #277

In August 1965 Ballantine Books produced the first ‘authorized’ American paperback of The Hobbit, without incorporating Tolkien’s revisions to the...
14 September 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Swann

Tolkien writes thanking Donald Swann for the tickets. he notes that Priscilla cannot attend but he has asked Dr. Robert Havard (the Inklings) along in h...
16 September 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael George Tolkien

Tolkien writes to his grandson Michael George, clarifying that he is interest in all apsects of Michaels work and tastes. He says that he may have helpe...
19 September 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Swann  Letters #277a

Tolkien, Edith and R.E. Havard, attend a performance of At the Drop of Another Hat on the 18th September 1965. Tolkien loved the show.
29 September 1965
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Sterling Lanier

Lanier sent Tolkien a copy of Dune by Frank Herbert for which Tolkien ended up owing a bill for the postage. Tolkien was unhappy that he was also charge...
20 October 1965
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Wheeler

Tolkien writes about the Ballantine editions of The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien says that Ballantine will soon release a revised paperback edition, and t...
20 October 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Clyde S. Kilby  Letters #278

In the portion of this letter published in The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien he writes to Kilby about book, Light on C.S. Lewis. From a personal visit to th...
25 October 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Nan C. Scott

No details are currently known from this letter. It is held at the Wade.
26 October 1965
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Dick Plotz

A one-page response to a couple of questions that Plotz had asked. Tolkien translates the poem A Elbereth Gilthoniel, tells how to pronounce Meriadoc, t...
27 October 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jared C. Lobdell

No details of this letter are known. It is held with a complete transcript at the Marquette archives.
28 October 1965
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J.R.R. Tolkien to P.M. Cowan

Tolkien replies to a young reader who had asked him about the index for The Lord of the Rings saying that the index is not yet published, but is being w...
28 October 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jocelyn Gibb

Tokien sends his thanks to Gibb for sending a copy of the book Light on C.S. Lewis and notes that it says more about the contributors than of Lewis hims...
30 October 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to J.L.N. O'Loughlin

Tolkien replies saying that he has read OLoughlins article but he does not have time to provide a commentary for it. A description of the letter was inc...
30 October 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael George Tolkien  Letters #279

Tolkien discusses money worries. The letter was originally published as letter 279 in The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien. Hammond and Scull published a descr...
8 November 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #280

Tolkien is working on drafts of Sir Gawain and Pearl and finding interesting words and passages that he hopes to write up for academic journals. An expa...
30 November 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to John Wakeman

Tolkien writes to Wakeman declining an invitation to submit an entry for his new collection, Midcentury Authors. This letter is held at the Wade.
1 December 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to David Charles Rose

This letter remains unpublished. It is held at the Wade.
3 December 1965
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Ian Lancashire

A 1965 Stock Letter and an apology from Tolkien for not having time for a longer answer.
6 December 1965
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J.R.R. Tolkien to G.S. Rigby Jr

Tolkien writes to Rigby acknowledging the theological aspects of The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien says that there is a lot of theology in the work. A desc...
9 December 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christine Jones

Tolkien writing thanking Christine Jones for her interest and says that although he found her comments on the ending interesting: If I answered all the ...
9 December 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jane Dixon

Tolkien writes expressing his gratitude for the article that Dixon sent him from the Saturday Review detailing the ACE Books edition of The Lord of the ...
9 December 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Jaworski

This letter is briefly described in The J.R.R. Tolkien Companion and Guide: Chronology where Hammond/Scull say that he is not interested in drama and do...
9 December 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to William McCullam

Tolkien writes a letter thanking William McCullam who had included a royalty for The Lord of the Rings. It is assumed McCullam had purchased a copy of t...
15 December 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #281

Tolkien writes about a new UK paperback edition of The Hobbit. He comments on replacing the note explaining Bilbos changed story and the two Thrains wit...
18 December 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Clyde S. Kilby  Letters #282

Professor Kilby, of Wheaton College, Illinois, had met Tolkien while visiting Oxford in 1964. He now offered to return to England and help Tolkien in an...
29 December 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #282a

Tolkien shoots down any idea of a Tolkien Award by Ace Books, and suspects that this is just a way for them to make themselves feel better about denying...

1966

1966
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Charles Calleja

Tolkien writes to explain that the second edition of The Hobbit is different to the original. Charles Calleja gave some insights about the letter and hi...
1966
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Henry Gris

Tolkien writes thanking Gris for the enclosed proposal. Gris worked for the company UPI who were, and are a press agency. It is assumed they had wanted ...
7 January 1966
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Roger Shaw

Tolkien writes making mention of the suggestion that The Lord of the Rings landscape is based on Iceland. Tolkien says that he has never been there, tho...
7 January 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Benjamin P. Indick  Letters #283

An example of a stock reply to readers.
10 January 1966
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Timothy J. Wheeler

Tolkien writes to Timothy Wheeler thanking him for his good wishes. This letter, and others to Wheeler were presented at
10 January 1966
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Sterling Lanier

Tolkien thanks Lanier for his letter and other material (a science fiction newsletter) that has reached him by Christmas. Tolkien says he has sent the n...
12 January 1966
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J.R.R. Tolkien to David Hicks

Tolkien thanks David Hicks for his birthday greetings and says he is writing more about the world of The Lord of the Rings, when he has the time. He ret...
12 January 1966
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Dick Plotz  Letters #283a

A brief one-page response to a birthday card that Plotz had sent to Tolkien. Tolkien corrects a Quenya phrase from that card. Also included with this le...
20 January 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald A. Wollheim  Letters #283b

Tolkien thinks it doesn’t make sense for Ace Books to spend the revenue from The Lord of the Rings sales on an award named after Tolkien, rather than ...
10 February 1966
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald A. Wollheim

Tolkien writes and expresses his regret at his delayed reply. he had like many at that time been ill with influenza. He encloses two copies of the signe...
14 February 1966
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Sterling Lanier

Tolkien thanks Lanier for sending a copy of S.F.W.A. January Bulletin, saying the campaign has worked and Ace has offered acceptable terms. Tolkien cong...
23 February 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Swann

Writing to Donald Swann Tolkien mentions a BBC2 broadcast that he will sadly miss. Tolkien mentions he has succeeded in his battle with Ace noting that ...
23 February 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to W.H. Auden  Letters #284

Auden told Tolkien that he had agreed to write a short book about him, in collaboration with Peter H. Salus, for a seres entitled Christian Perspectives...
Spring 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rod Jellema

Tolkien writes saying that any article (written by W.H. Auden) should be accurate, rather than respectful. This letter was quoted in W.H. Auden: A Legac...
9 March 1966
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Roger Verhulst

Tolkien writes about the publication of a proposed book about him by W.H. Auden. Quotes from this letter appears in Kilbys Tolkien & The Silmarillion, p...
11 March 1966
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J.R.R. Tolkien to George Sayer

Tolkien writes to his friend George Sayer regarding his preferred version of The Lord of the Rings should Tolkien have one sent to him.
11 March 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Nan C. Scott  Letters #284a

Tolkien informs Scott that Ace Books have been in touch and offered an agreement. He notes that Ace have agreed to not reprint the book once current cop...
12 March 1966
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J.R.R. Tolkien to John Bush

Tolkien thanks Mr. Bush for sending a copy of Dune. He had already received one the previous year and did not like it. He says that it best not to comme...
17 March 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Swann

Tolkien writes to Donald Swann, signed Ronald. He discusses preparations for Swann’s recital, bringing in a piano, notices etc.
21 March 1966
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J.R.R. Tolkien to George Sayer

Tolkien sends a letter to his friend George Sayer firstly expressing his sorrow about Sayers wife Moira. She has been very ill of late. He had hoped tha...
21 March 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Swann

Tolkien writes to Swann, mentioning details about recital, press photographs, dinner afterwards, etc. Tolkien has laryngitis.
28 March 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Swann

Tolkien writes to Donald Swann who had visited the Tolkiens. He and Edith were unwell at the time. This letter is held at the Wade.
8 April 1966
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Roger Verhulst

In this letter of 8 April 1966 Tolkien talks about a memorial volume on Charles Williams, reiterates his objections to a proposed book about him by W.H....
8 April 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to W.H. Auden  Letters #285

Tolkien writes about his reaction to Audens comments on his house.
12 April 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mother Mary Anthony

Tolkien writes a letter, saying he has very little personal knowledge of Charles Williamss history, and that he didnt talk with him about literature. To...
19 April 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Nan C. Scott

Tolkien suggests some days when the Scotts might visit him, as they are currently in London.
25 April 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin

Tolkien replies to a letter from Rayner Unwin concerning the designs for of a new dust jacket for The Lord of the Rings and material for inclusion in Th...
27 April 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to A. E. Couchman  Letters #286

The following is one of many short replies that Tolkien wrote at this period of his life to readers who asked questions about his books. Its characteris...
3 May 1966
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J.R.R. Tolkien to William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company

A brief letter dated 3 May 1966, acknowledges receipt of the Charles Williams volume.
6 May 1966
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr Snapp

Tolkien is pleased that Yale undergraduates like his work.
9 May 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Nan C. Scott

Tolkien had to leave Oxford for the day and is unable to meet with the Scotts. It is held at the Wade.
10 May 1966
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Pamela Chandler

Tolkien thanks Miss Chandler for her photos and in particular the photos taken in their garden.
10 May 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Joy Hill  Letters #287

Tolkien’s telephone number was still in the Oxford directory, and he was sometimes bothered by calls from ‘fans’. A harsh critique of a particular...
10 May 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Professor Norman Davis  Letters #288

The English Faculty of Oxford University wished to acquire a bust of Tolkien by his daughter-in-law Faith. The bust was duly presented to them, and now ...
11 May 1966
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Walker

Tolkien replies to a letter from July 1965 where he had been sent a music tape. He is unable to listen to the tape as he does not have a recorder and is...
13 May 1966
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Joy Hill

Tolkien thanks Joy Hill for sending various packets including fan mail. He would like to attend a Donald Swann concert and asks for seats. He says, rega...
13 May 1966
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Philip Horowitz

Tolkien thanks Philip Horowitz for his letter. Tolkien was due to leave the following day for some time and regrets that he had no time to answer questi...
30 May 1966
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Nancy Smith

Tolkien briefly discusses Ford Madox Ford and the article in Diplomat magazine. Reproduced in full in Christies Fine Printed Books and Manuscripts 24 Ma...
30 May 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Nan C. Scott

Tolkien thanks Nan Scott for sending a photograph of them from her visit. It is held at the Wade.
6th June, 1966
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Wordsworth

A brief note declining to appear in London in response to Armstrongs most delightful and generous invitation.
ca. July 1966
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Clyde S. Kilby

Tolkien thanks Kilby for his visit and apologizes for being busy. On a seperate page, Tolkien includes a three paragraph fragment from the review of an ...
18 July 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Nan C. Scott

Tolkien invites her to visit next time she is in Oxford, and he will sign books for her. It is held at the Wade.
18 July 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs. Webster

Mrs. Webster was a teacher and she and her pupils put on a performance of some scenes from The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien can not attend, but Clyde S. K...
29 July 1966
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Max Rouslin

Tolkien offers advice on finding first editions of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.
29 July 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael George Tolkien  Letters #289

Tolkien discusses the etymology of Mirkwood. Brief quotes from this letter included in Chronology show that he also talked about the typewriters he uses...
1 August 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Clyde S. Kilby

Tolkien writes says that his son will be out for lunch on Thursday and wonders if he would like to join them.
Not dated; August 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #289a

Tolkien writes to Rayner Unwin about an interview with Philip Norman that appeared in The Sunday Times on 15 January 1967, The Hobbit Man. He wishes tha...
26 August 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs. Webster

Tolkien replies with thanks for the pictures sent of the performance. He will show them to Kilby who attended the performance. The letter is held at the...
29 August 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Swann

Tolkien discusses alterations to songs, specifically so that there is less of a clash with Michael Flanders Sloth. This letter is held at the Wade.
12 September 1966
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Rose MacNamara

Tolkien sends his congratulations to Rose, who has become a nun. He mentions that his son Father John has said a Mass for Roses father.
October 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Swann and Flanders

No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
October 1966
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Tolkien on Tolkien (Diplomat article, 1966)

Tolkien on Tolkien is the title of an article published in Diplomat (October 1966) without Tolkiens permission. It was edited by an unknown editor from ...
11 October 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Clyde S. Kilby  Letters #289b

Mr. and Mrs. Tolkiens Mediterranean cruise. Work on books and manuscripts. Excerpts from the letter have been published in SEVEN, Volume 27 (p. 49). Ano...
12 October 1966
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr Rasmussen

Secretarial letter to Mr Rasmussen. Tolkien mentions in a handwritten note that if the recipient is a modern steel bow you be should developing a good t...
14 October 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Swann  Letters #289c

Donald Swann had written to Tolkien expressing interest in his poem Errantry. Tolkien replied that was interested in his suggestion but wondered if it m...
17 October 1966
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Class II G

Tolkien writes about living near the school in his youth.
18 October 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to [Father] Alex Jones  Letters #289d

Writing to Father Jones, Tolkien thanks him for including his name in the list of contributors of the New Jerusalem Bible, even though Tolkien feels lik...
28 October 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael George Tolkien  Letters #290

Tolkiens grandson is studying at Oxford, and likes the typewriter that Tolkien loaned him enough that Tolkien is gifting it to him permanently. He discu...
7 November 1966
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Gene Wolfe  Letters #290a

Tolkien writes to Gene Wolf about the origin of Orc and Warg
18 November 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Swann

Tolkien invites the Swanns on the 20th December. The might be able to borrow the piano at a neighbors house. He writes about melody. It is held at the W...
22 November 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Walter Hooper  Letters #291

Hooper had sent Tolkien a new volume of Lewis’s writings, which he had edited.
24 November 1966
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Professor Bauer

Professor Bauer had written asking Tolkien about Sinclair Lewiss Babbitt. Tolkien wonders if the name had some influence on the invention of hobbit. The...
28 November 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Clyde S. Kilby

Tolkien writes to Clyde S. Kilby making mention that he is pleased that Kilby has finally received the correct medication and says that he is yet to con...
28 November 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Nan C. Scott

No details are currently known from this letter. It is held at the Wade.
30 November 1966
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Pamela Chandler

Tolkien is concerned about photos that were ordered from Pamela.
8 December 1966
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Marsh

Tolkien writes to James S. Marsh and sends him three copies of his autograph to stick in his books.
12 December 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Joy Hill  Letters #292

Tolkien had been sent details of a proposed ‘sequel’ to The Lord of the Rings that a ‘fan’ was going to write himself.
14 December 1966
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Father Maycock

Tolkien sends an inscribed copy of the Japanese Hobbit, it reads With best wishes to Fr Hugh Maycock and Pusey House | Dec. 14. 1966 Tolkien inserted a ...
15 December 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Nan C. Scott

No details are currently known from this letter. It is held at the Wade.
29 December 1966
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J.R.R. Tolkien to James S. Marsh

Tolkien writes to Mr Marsh about his collaboration with Donald Swann for the book The Road goes ever on and on.
29 December 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to William Foster  Letters #293

Tolkien was asked to be interviewed for The Scotsman.

1967

Late 1966 - early 1967
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Dick Plotz  Letters #293a

This letter, known as the Plotz Letter, or Plotz Declension was a letter written by Tolkien that contained manuscript notes regarding Quenya grammar. Th...
2 January 1967
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Peyton Moss

Tolkien sends some signatures to Mr Moss. This letter was orginally affixed by tape to the front of a 2nd edition LOTR, but was then removed from the bo...
2 January 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Otto B. Lindhardt

Tolkien states that his efforts to help translators, or in reading their efforts, has made it clear that the nomenclature of people and places is diffic...
2 January 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Charles Huttar

No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
5 January 1967
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Joy Hill

Joy has sent Tolkien a copy of The Childrens Treasury of Literature, which includes a chapter from The Hobbit.
5 January 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Clyde S. Kilby

Tolkien writes thanking Kilby for an article on Barzun and for sending a turkey.
11 January 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to R. B. McCallum  Letters #293b

Tolkien writes to R.B. McCallum, Master of Pembroke College, who asks that Tolkien remember the college in his will. Tolkien says he doesnt remember mak...
1 February 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Charles Huttar

No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
2 February 1967
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Albert Wieland

Tolkien sends his signature to Mr Wieland.
2 February 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to William Ready

Writing to Willaim Ready, Tolkien states that he does not like being written about and will not provide information on his family and origins. He asks R...
6 February 1967
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Pamela Chandler

Tolkien apologizes to Pamela Chandler, but he will no longer allow photographs to be taken in his house.
8 February 1967
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Colin Manlove

Tolkien writes about his essay On Fairy Stories and says that The Lord of the Rings was meant as a large-scale adult fairy story. Quoted in C. N. Manlov...
8 February 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to David L. Sands

Tolkien writes to express his approval for the proposed Spanish translation of his works, referring the recipient to contact Allen & Unwin. A photocopy ...
8 February 1967
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Charlotte and Denis Plimmer  Letters #294

The Plimmers had recently interviewed Tolkien for the Daily Telegraph Magazine, and had now sent him a draft of their article, the finished version of w...
16 February 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Charlotte and Denis Plimmer

Tolkien requests that the Plimmers remove from their interview a quote from Tolkien comparing lembas to the Catholic Eucharist.
20 February 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Clyde S. Kilby

Tolkien writes to thank Kilby for sending a copy of Science is a Sacred Cow written by Anthony Standen.
1 March 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Hans-Jörg Modlmayr

Tolkien writes to explain that he has passed a letter to the Foreign Rights Department of Allen & Unwin who deal with translations of his work. He would...
5 March 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien  Letters #294a

Writing to son Michael, Tolkien remarks on the current state of the Church and says that these need to be resolved in private, not with public comments....
14 March 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin

Writing to Rayner Unwin, Tolkien makes clear that he does not want to take part in another interview. He is unhappy with the list of proposed questions ...
16 March 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Hans-Jörg Modlmayr

Tolkien says he has not been informed as to the status of a German translation of The Lord of the Rings. He notes that a proposed translator was turned ...
20 March 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Swann  Letters #294b

Tolkien writes to Donald Swann including more material for his project. He thanks Swann for not cursing him. He has had long delays and while trying to ...
21 March 1967
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Humphrey Carpenter

Tolkien writes to Humphrey to give permission for a play based on The Hobbit.
21 March 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Swann

Tolkien sends background material for The Road Goes Ever On. He includes Galadriels Lament and Chant written out in a fair Elvish book-hand, rubricated ...
22 March 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Swann

Tolkien writes to Donald Swann offering transcripts of the Lament and Chant in Elvish script. This letter is held at the Wade.
29 March 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss M. Felver

Tolkien replies with graitutude for Felvers letter to him. He appreciates fans buying his books, eventually putting some small amount of money in his po...
29 March 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to W.H. Auden  Letters #295

Auden had written to praise Tolkien for the poem in Anglo-Saxon which Tolkien had contributed (together with a version in modern English) to the journal...
12 April 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Swann  Letters #295a

Writing to Donald Swann on the matter of their book, The Road Goes Ever On, Tolkien provides much on the contents of the book, noting that the commentar...
17 April 1967
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J.R.R. Tolkien to J.D. Gilbert

Tolkien recommends that Mr Gilbert reads The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth
28 April 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to John Leyerle

Tolkien replies to a letter from Leyerle which had been hand delivered to him by William Ready. Tolkien has ceased work on his translation of The Owl an...
9 May 1967
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr [Oscar] Morland

Tolkien writes to British ambassador Oscar Morland thanking him for his typed indexes, and that he will find them very useful when he has time to work o...
12 May 1967
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J.R.R. Tolkien to David Best

This letter was featured on the BBCs Repair Shop broadcast on 25th January 2023 (see reference). In this letter Tolkien replies that he has received Dav...
14 June 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Sister M. Anne

Replying to a letter from Sister Anne from St. Louis, Tolkien says he has no intention to write a sequel to The Lord of the Rings.
16 June 1967
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr Hooton

Tolkien writes to Mr Hooton about progress on The Silmarillion, which has been delayed due to the complications presented in the United States from the ...
19 June 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Swann

Tolkien thanks Swann for the book cover and compares the t rendered there to various occurrences from genuine manuscripts. It is held at the Wade.
21 June 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Charles Huttar

No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
12-13 July 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Swann  Letters #295b

Tolkien does not like the calligraphy being made by Samuel Hanks Bryant as filler for blank pages in The Road Goes Ever On. Tolkien objects to Swann usi...
21 July 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #296

Tolkien thanks Rayner for his friendship.
?Late Summer 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Clyde S. kilby

In his letter of late November, Tolkien says that he had begun a letter some time ago, but this had never been finished and remained unsent. Tolkien inc...
August 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr Rang  Letters #297

At the top, Tolkien has written: ‘Some reflections in preparing an answer to a letter from one Mr Rang about investigations into my nomenclature. In t...
4 August 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Charles Huttar

No details of this letter are known but Huttar had visited Tolkien on this day (see reference below). The letter is held at the Wade.
9 August 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Charles Huttar

No details are known about this letter. It is held at the Wade.
28 August 1967
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. S.E.O. Joukes

Mr. Joukes had written to Tolkien suggesting that he would like to name his daughter Ioreth, to which replies that it means old woman and includes some ...
September 1967
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to David Best

A partial view of this letter was featured on the BBCs Repair Shop broadcast on 25th January 2023 (see reference). In the letter, Tolkien remarks on run...
11 September 1967
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J.R.R. Tolkien to William Luther White  Letters #298

White had written to Tolkien asking for information regarding the Inklings. Tolkien replies with some brief information from memory. He says that the na...
18 September 1967
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Elsie Honeybourne

Tolkien writes about the origins of the writers name Honeybourne.
8 November 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Amy Ronald

Tolkien apologises that his illness has made him look like Gollum and has interfered with work.
24 November 1967
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Walker

Tolkien writes about the writers grandfather, Paul Barbier. The address is incorrect on this letter, it should be Grosmont Haggs not Grosmont Maggs.
24 November 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Terry Pratchett

Terry Pratchett had written to Tolkien having just read Smith of Wootton Major (see #TCGLetter986), in Tolkiens reply he says that the two of them feel ...

4 December 1967
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Roger Verhulst

On 4 December 1967, Tolkien writes appreciatively about C.S. Lewiss Letters to an American Lady, a copy of which Verhulst had sent him.
7 December 1967
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Hans Jörg Modlmayr

Tolkien apologizes for a secretarial letter, and says he cannot help with the matter of books for children, as he doesnt really like childrens books and...
12 December 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Roger Lancelyn Green  Letters #299

Tolkien thanks Green for his review of Smith of Wootton Major.
14 December 1967
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Rosfrith Murray

Tolkien sends Rosfrith a copy of the US version of his small tale. He does not state the title, but it is very likely to be Smith of Wootton Major.
21 December 1967
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Elsie Honeybourne

Tolkien sends her a copy of Smith of Wootton Major.
30 December 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien and Edith Tolkien to Donald Swann

Tolkien apologizes for his delay in replying, due to poor health, and he asks Swann and his wife to visit in January. Tolkien says that doing nothing an...

1968

4 January 1968
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J.R.R. Tolkien to K. Jackson

Tolkien offers to send some stick-in autographs to Mr Jackson, technical director of Humphrey Carpenters musical adaptation of The Hobbit at the end of ...
7 January 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Clyde S. Kilby

Tolkien writes to Kilby with thanks for the turkey and mentions that he recently visited Ready. He is not happy that Ready is writing a book on him, as ...
16 January 1968
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Wettach

A stock reply to Mr. Wettach thanking him for his letter.
29 January 1968
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J.R.R. Tolkien to K. Jackson

Tolkien writes about the origin of Bag-End, which was the local name of a house an aunt of his lived in in Worcestershire.
29 January 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Nan C. Scott

No details are currently known from this letter. It is held at the Wade.
12 February 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Swann

Tolkien hopes to see Swann on the 14th, but cannot attend a performance of The Road Goes Ever On on the 15th. This letter is held at the Wade.
20 February 1968
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Leslie Megahey

Tolkien replies to Leslie Megaheys letter which has some better examples in ornamental Elvish script.
20 February 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Walter Hooper  Letters #300

With reference to C. S. Lewis’s verse ‘We were talking of dragons, Tolkien and I / In a Berkshire bar. . . .’ This short poem, first printed in...
29 February 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Swann  Letters #301

The BBC made a documentary programme, Tolkien in Oxford, which was filmed in early February and televised on 30 March 1968. Swann, whose musical setting...
1 March 1968
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Evelyn B. Byrne

Tolkien was asked to write about his teenage memories and, along with 69 other contributors, this was published in the book Attacks of Taste, compiled a...
6 March 1968
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Dr. Fraser Roberts

Tolkien thanks Dr. Fraser Roberts for his letter.
6 March 1968
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs. Beck

Tolkien writes about the Ballantine posters, which he does not like.
8 April 1968
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Dick Plotz

Tolkien wrote to the President of the Tolkien Society (of America - Dick Plotz) to express his displeasure at the forthcoming publication The Tolkien Re...
April 10, 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Colin Smythe

On April 5, Colin Smythe wrote to Tolkien asking if Smythe could publish a poem of his. In this response, Tolkien does not think there will be any diffi...
15 April 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Clyde S. Kilby

Tolkien writes to Kilby and mentions the book A Mind Awake: An Anothology of C. S. Lewis. He says that it reminded him of good things spread throughout ...
2 May 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Time-Life International  Letters #302

Tolkien is not happy to be asked to be photographed pretending to be at work.
6 May 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Nicholas Thomas  Letters #303

Tolkien writes about Sarehole Mill.
23 May 1968
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Robert Theodore Meyer

Tolkien autographs a copy of The Hobbit for Professor Meyers son.
24 May 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to George Burke Johnston

Tolkien replies to a letter from Johnston. He had sent Tolkien a copy of his booklet The Poetry of J.R.R. Tolkien. Tolkien thanks him and says that when...
24 May 1968
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mary Fairburn

Mary Fairburn has sent some of her illustrations for The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien really likes them and thinks they could be in an illustrated version...
Mid 1968
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to unknown

Tolkien wrote a game called Word-extraction and wrote out the rules. Tolkien mentions a note but that note is missing.
June 4, 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Colin Smythe

On April 11, Colin Smythe wrote back to Tolkien, saying he will look for Winters Tales For Children but hopes Tolkien could provide a new poem, and also...
4 June 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Clyde S. Kilby  Letters #304

Tolkien writes about his move to the South Coast of England. In a portion that remains unpublished, Tolkien also spends some time complaining about Will...
26 June 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #305

On 17 June, while preparing to move house, Tolkien fell downstairs and injured his leg. This letter was written from hospital in Oxford.
August 1968
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Ingrid Pridgeon

Tolkien writes to Ingrid who lives at Spire Hollin. he giives her news of his health, he is recovering after breaking his leg in a fall down his stairs....
2 August 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Robert Havard

Tolkien complains about how the movers took advantage of Ediths health and did a bad job, for example putting furniture in the wrong rooms. Tolkien hims...
3 August 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Joy Hill

Tolkien writes to Joy Hill during an enforced break in Bournmouth where he is resting with a broken leg.
7 August 1968
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs. Ogden

Tolkien writes asking how long he will have to remain in hospital as he has to return home for the 8th September. He says that there is no room availabl...
9 August 1968?
J.R.R. Tolkien to Robert Havard

No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
30 August 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Alan Klass  Letters #305a

Tolkien says that between his recent injury and recover, Ediths health problems, and recently moving house, all his papers and other belongs are unorgan...
4 September 1968
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mary Fairburn

A letter to Mary Fairburn about her illustrations for The Lord of the Rings - he has not yet shown her drawings to Rayner Unwin. He doesnt think an illu...
25 September 1968
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Maple & Co, Bournemouth

Maple & Co were a furniture store in Bournemouth, Tolkien appears to have bought furniture from them but has not cleared out his library to allow the fu...
27 September 1968 (postmark)
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Tony Hall

Autograph letter signed, to Tony Hall explaining that he no longer lives in Oxford , describing an accident and subsequent treatment for injuries that h...
29 September 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Billy Callahan

Tolkien replies to Billy Callahan apologizing for not sending a photograph. he encloses some signatures to be attached to his books. Reproduced in Wiste...
10 October 1968
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mary Fairburn

Tolkien is distressed at Mary Fairburns situation and offers to financially help her. Mary Fairburn had sent Tolkien some illustrations to view, which h...
11 October 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien  Letters #306

Tolkien was delighted that Michael had visited Switzerland and the very place that affected him so deeply. Bilbos Misty Mountains journey, especially th...
15 October 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jared C. Lobdell

No details of this letter are currently known. It is held at the Marquette archives along with a complete transcript.
16 October 1968
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Niall Hoskin

Tolkien writes about his languages and talks about Westron or the Common Speech.
4 November 1968
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mary Fairburn

Partial letter to Mary Fairburn declining acquiring all ofher pictures as he does not have wall space to hang them, but he is interested in her Mirror o...
8 November 1968
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Brown

Tolkien explains that he is too busy writing the Silmarillion to answer questions.
14 November 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Amy Ronald  Letters #307

Amy sent Tolkien some Port and Sherry.
16 November 1968
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to [Jonathan] Wordsworth

Tolkien writes about the loss of privacy and time due to his popularity, forcing him to leave Oxford, and precluding any need for a secretary.
19 November 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs. Ogden

Tolkien discusses a recent leg injury and the kindness he received while in the hospital.
December 1968
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs Parke

Tolkien wishes Mrs Parke a Happy Christmas.
29 December 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien  Letters #307a

Writing to son Michael, Tolkien says he hopes he is doing better and has recovered from overwork. He says that he and Edith spent Christmas with daughte...

1969

1969
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Maria Mroczkowska

Tolkien discusses the literary genres that he uses and his Atlantis complex.
2 January 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #308

Tolkien wishes Christopher a happy 1969.
2 January 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Amy Ronald  Letters #309

Tolkien replies to a letter from Amy Ronald. He explains his names and the different ways that family and friends address him.
3 January 1969
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Niall, David and Catherine McCall

Tolkien sends some autographs for the McCall children to put in their books.
3 Jan 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Bridget MacKenzie

Tolkien writes to the eldest daughter of Ida and E. V. Gordon. He has sent an autograph to friends of Bridget as requested, and mentions that he has mov...
6 January 1969
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Paula Coston (née Iley)

Paula Coston had a long letter writing correspondence with Tolkien, only one sheet of her letters has been published.
11 January 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Philip Neal  Letters #309a

Writing to a fan, who published a review of The Hobbit, Tolkien responds by saying that he enjoyed the review, and is sending him a little book but not ...
14 January 1969
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Bell

Tolkien replies 13 years after Michael Bell had written to him. Bell had enclosed a book, An Idea to Win the World by Peter Harold. Tolkien explains tha...
25 January 1969
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Bell

Tolkien was delighted that his letter arrived safely and so quickly, see #TCGLetter1172. This reply followed one from Joy Hill (#TCGLetter1175) where sh...
18 February 1969
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Boyd Hooper

Tolkien has received a tie from Boyd Hooper, the brother of Walter Hooper, and apologizes for taking so long to reply to say thank you. It was lost in t...
15 March 1969
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Amy Ronald

Tolkien offers profuse thanks for her gift of five bottles. He says that his health and his wife Ediths are not good. They are looking forward to Spring...
20 March 1969
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Amy Ronald

Tolkien settles some confusion regarding an order of Courvoisier and gives some family news. He asks for her opinion of Le Hobbit. He doesnt like the in...
April 10 1969
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs. Mroczkowska

Tolkien replies to Janina Mroczkowski, the wife of Tolkiens friend and professor, Przemyslaw Mroczkowski. He apologises for his lack of replying to Prze...
20 May 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Camilla Unwin  Letters #310

Rayner Unwin’s daughter Camilla was told, as part of a school ‘project’, to write and ask: ‘What is the purpose of life?’
28 May 1969
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr Anthony D. Howlett

In this partial letter Tolkien discusses the Elvish spelling of Rivendell. Only the first page is available.
June 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Joy Hill

Tolkien writes to Joy Hill offering opinions on an adaptation of The Lord of the Rings. He thinks nothing could satisfy an attentive reader, but the vis...
30 June 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Paul Bibire

Tolkien writes about Cynewulf and Glanduin.
31 July 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #311

Tolkien and Edith are not well and feeling cut-off.
1 August 1969
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr Burrows

Tolkien signs the dust-jacket of The Hobbit for Mr Burrows. Sold for £1300 at Bloomsbury Auctions Sale 614, 24th May 2007. Auction listing included a f...
Aug. 4 1969
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Messrs. Goadsby and Harding

The letter is to Tolkiens insurance company, enclosing a cheque for policy renewal and inquiring if he has adequate cover particularly for the large gla...
14 August 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to [Rayner?] Unwin

Tolkien writes to Unwin (first name not noted) about his health. This letter was sold by Sotheby Parke Bernet in the Catalogue of Modern Literary Manusc...
28 August 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Pauline Baynes

Tolkien writes with remarks about Pauline Baynes Middle-earth poster, mentioning that he thinks the only error on the printed map is Enedwaith for Enedh...
1 October 1969
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Pauline Baynes

Tolkien writing to Pauline Baynes returns a photocopy of the Middle-earth map, with comments. The spelling Enedwaith is correct. He also apologizes for ...
Early November 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Amy Ronald

Tolkien declines an invitation to a program on November 30th titled An Afternoon in Middle-earth, but mentions some of his connections to the West Midla...
November 1969
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Leslie Holloway

Tolkien was unable to attend a Tolkien conference at the Midlands Art Centre on the 30th November 1969. Joy Hill from George Allen & Unwin and Tom Shipp...
16 November 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Amy Ronald  Letters #312

Tolkien discusses his love of botany.
25 November 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien  Letters #313

Tolkien wishes he had an elven grammar and vocabulary.
15 December 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #314

Tolkien writes about teaching.
31 December 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Dorothy Wood

Tolkien wrote a letter to his cousin Dorothy (Ding) Wood. Among the subjects he discusses is his recent fall. Tolkien makes some mention of his name, fa...

1970

1967-68
J.R.R. Tolkien to Dick Plotz

This letter, as #TCGLetter784 is publishing in part in Vinyar Tengwar 6. More to follow on the contents. It is held at the Marquette archives in the for...
1937-1940
J.R.R. Tolkien to Registry University of Oxford, King Edward VI School, Birmingham

This entry covers various letters between Tolkien, the Registry University of Oxford and King Edward VI School, Birmingham, relating to Tolkien’s tenu...
1950s
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jeremiah Hogan (and family)

Tolkien spent some time in the 1950s in Ireland and while there he stayed with the Hogan family. The father, Jeremiah worked with Tolkien during his vis...
1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to ? Braun

Noted only as Letter to a member of the Braun family, 1972. MS. Braun 158, folder 2 (38). Braun archive given to the library in tranches, 2010-2017. thr...
c. 1940
J.R.R. Tolkien, Charles Williams to Warren H. Lewis (Last will and testament signatories)

Tolkien and Charles Williams signing of the will of Warren H. Lewis. 2pp received by Clyde S. Kilby, August 1966.
1 January 1970
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael George Tolkien  Letters #315

Tolkien discusses his problems with progressing with the Silmarillion. An additional portion of the letter has been quoted on Michael Tolkiens website.
1970
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr Wood

Tolkien writes to Mr Wood and sends three copies of his signature on cards, stating that he should keep one for himself.
5 April 1970
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Hilary Tolkien

Tolkien writes to his brother, Hilary, offering his prayers for him.
7 April 1970
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Paul

Tolkien sends a typed reply to Paul apologising for not replying more personally. he has moved from Oxford to devote more time to completing The Silmari...
April 13 1970
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Tom Shippey

Joy Hill from George Allen & Unwin had attended a Tolkien conference that Tom Shippey spoke at, and took a copy of his presentation to show to Tolkien. ...
22 April 1970
J.R.R. Tolkien to Dorothy Wood

Tolkien writes to his cousin Dorothy after he and Edith had dined at Hotel Miramar (possibly with Rayner Unwin: see The J.R.R. Tolkien Companion and Gui...
6 June 1970
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien  Letters #315a

Tolkien visited Nottingham with Rayner Unwin on 2nd May 1970. Tolkien received an Honorary D. Litt. Tolkien writes about a student demonstration that to...
6 August 1970
J.R.R. Tolkien to Paula Coston (née Iley)

This letter was the third in a series of letters sold at Christies but no details beyond those record in #TCGLetter700 and #TCGLetter726 are known.
26 August 1970
J.R.R. Tolkien to Robert F. Cook  Letters #315b

Tolkien sends a copy of an article that he had written, and he also mentions an anecdote of a story, the name of which he cannot remember.
11 September 1970
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Robert Burchfield  Letters #316

Tolkien discusses an O.E.D. dictionary definition of Hobbit.
1 November 1970
J.R.R. Tolkien to Amy Ronald  Letters #317

Tolkien writes to Amy about his house and plans for Christmas.
22 November 1970
J.R.R. Tolkien to Neil Ker  Letters #318

Tolkien reminisces about A.S. Napier.
Christmas 1970
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien (Joy Hill) to Eileen Elgar

Tolkien signs a card to Eileen Elgar and encloses a copy of A Map of Middle-earth poster by Pauline Baynes. It is assumed he signed a typed note as he h...
14 December 1970
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to W.A.R. Hadley

Tolkien describes that since his accident when he moved, he has been unable to leave his house overnight and that he would love to visit Canada and Sout...
18 December 1970
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Joy Hill

Writing to joy Hill Tolkien asks her to send a copy of A Map of Middle-earth (Pauline Baynes) to Mrs. Eileen Elgar but asks that his location not be dis...

1971

1971
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Hilary Tolkien

Tolkien talks about his memories of Bonfire Night, the 5th November. Part of this letter was printed in the book Black & White Ogre Country - The Lost T...
8 January 1971
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Dick Plotz

A personal letter to Plotz. Also touches upon Tolkiens worries about his estate tax situation.
8 January 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to Roger Lancelyn Green  Letters #319

Tolkien writes to Roger about his thoughts on the origin of the word Hobbit.
18 January 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to Roger Lancelyn Green  Letters #319a

Tolkien had written to Roger Lancelyn Green to try and find out about a story he remembers reading in Childhood. The story was Puss-cat Mew by E. H. Kna...
25 January 1971
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Bell

Tolkien writes a short reply to Michael Bell thanking Bell for remembering him, assumed for his birthday? He congratulates Bell on managing the meters, ...
25 January 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs Ruth Austin  Letters #320

Tolkien discusses Galadriel.
4 February 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to P. Rorke, S.J.  Letters #321

Tolkien describes the Caverns of Helms Deep as being influenced by Cheddar Gorge.
16 March 1971
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Tony Davison

In reply to a letter sent from Tony Davison to Tolkien, he recieved a secretarial letter stating that Tolkien is very busy working on the Silmarillion b...
18 March 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to William Cater  Letters #322

Tolkien writes about progress on the Silmarillion.
7 April 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to Randy Trimmer

Tolkien replies to a letter from Mr. Trimmer to apologise for not being able to reply as he is working on The Silmarillion. This letter is reproduced in...
?4-?9 May 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien and Edith Tolkien to Dorothy Wood

Tolkien and Edith send a telegram in honour of her eightieth birthday. Mrs Dorothy Grace Wood (née Mountain) and Tolkien were cousins. Her mother was G...
26 May 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to Dorothy Wood

Among the subjects included in this letter to his cousin, Dorothy Wood, Tolkien has asked Allen & Unwin to send her a copy of the India paper edition of...
about 2 June 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #323

Tolkien describes his visit to Sidmouth.
4-5 June 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to Graham Tayar  Letters #324

Tolkien writes about about the use of the name ‘Gamgee’ in The Lord of the Rings, and whether the name ‘Gondor’ had been suggested by Gondar in ...
10 June 1971
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs. Phyllis Robertson  Letters #324a

Tolkien sends signed copies of his book The Adventures of Tom Bombadil to Mrs Robertson and discusses the biblical parallels to the current weather.
14 June 1971
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Ballard

Tolkien apologises for not sending a personal reply and explains that he is to busy with the Silmarillion to answer personal questions.
21 June 1971
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Brian Miller

Tolkien thanks his former student, Brian Miller, for a copy of C.T. Onions Modern English Syntax which Brian revised.
17 July 1971
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J.R.R. Tolkien to C. Talbot D'Alessandro

Tolkien replies to Talbot DAlessandro asking if he would like a single volume edition, making note that Talbot has an Italian translation. In a handwrit...
17 July 1971
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to A.I. Mackay

Tolkien thanks Mr Mackay for a chart and information that he sent him about Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
17 July 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to Roger Lancelyn Green  Letters #325

Tolkien writes about Aman and what happens to mortals, such as Frodo, when they go there. In a portion published in the C.S. Lewis Biography by Green To...
24 July 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #326

Tolkien writes to Rayner about his becoming Chairman of GA&U. A brief quote about Ediths health is reproduced in Chronology.
28 July 1971
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Royal Insurance Co.

Tolkien sends a cheque for his house insurance
25 August 1971
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Boyer  Letters #327

Tolkien replies to Mr. Boyer about W.H. Auden whom he regarded as a great friend and supporter.
Autumn 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to Carole Batten-Phelps  Letters #328

Tolkien talks about The Lord of the Rings and confesses that he feels it no longer belongs to him.
October 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to Peter Szabó Szentmihályi  Letters #329

Tolkien shares his views on authors biographies.
28 October 1971
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Joy Hill

Tolkien assigns the copyright of the poem Bilbos Last Song to Joy Hill and sends her the text of the poem and notes an error in the text of the poem.
1 November 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to William Cater  Letters #330

Tolkien thanks William Cater for his letter, He had been interviewed by William Cater for the Sunday Times. The article was published on the 2nd January...
8 November 1971
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Morley

Tolkien replies, thanking Miss Morley for her letter. It has arrived at his private address and mentions that he does not know how she has received that...
8 November 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien  Letters #330a

Tolkien writes to Michael about how little time he has to work on The Silmarillion and about any prospects of feature films, he believes that no films w...
16 November 1971
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Darrington

Tolkien signs some books and sends a copy of Pauline Baynes illustrated Map of the Hobbit.
29 November 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to William Cater  Letters #331

Tolkien writes to William Cater about the death of his wife, Edith Tolkien and his utter bereavement. In the 2023 revised edition of Letters, a brief no...
30 November 1971
Priscilla Tolkien, J.R.R. Tolkien to Dorothy Wood

Priscilla Tolkien informs Dorothy Wood that her mother, Edith, has passed away, to which Tolkien adds a post script.
December 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to Patient in Broadmoor Hospital  Letters #331a

Tolkien discusses Hobbits and mentions that he will be in an upcoming edition of The Sunday Times. Broadmoor Hospital is a high-security psychiatric hos...
11 December 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to George and Moira Sayer

Tolkien replies to his close friends George and Moira Sayer who had sent their condolences on Ediths death. The letter was briefly quotes in Christies 2...
19 December 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien  Letters #331b

Tolkien has been ill and worried about where he is going to live, he is staying with family members while he decides on a permanent location to live.
24 December 1971
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Eileen Elgar

Tolkien is desolated by the death of Edith, and wonders if he shall ever write any more. He mentions his work with Simonne dArdenne and says it is ok to...
26 December 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to Joy Hill

Tolkien mentions in his letter that he wore a gift from Joy on Christmas Day. Signing the letter J.R.R.T he notes that his contemporaries used to write ...
28 December 1971
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr Crouch

Tolkien writes to Mr Crouch, a shop keeper in Bournemouth, about him not being able to regularly visit his shop. He also mentions a photo appearing in t...

1972

24 January 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien  Letters #332

Tolkien writes to his son about the very generous accommodation offered to him by Merton College in Oxford.
29 January 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Queen Margrethe of Denmark

Tolkien writes that Smith of Wootton Major was a very emotional personal story based on his experience of retirement and aging.
30 January 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael George Tolkien

Tolkien writes to his grandson Michael George mentioning various problems such as health, his fans, and the press. Quotes from this and other letters ca...
2 February 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Dorothy Wood

Tolkien mentions his forthcoming trip to Buckingham Palace to receive a CBE. He says that the Queen Mother is due to make the presentation, who he has s...
2 February 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Ed Meskys

This letters contents is currently unknown. The letter is held at the Marion E. Wade Center and a photocopy with a complete transcript are held at the M...
6 February 1972
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs Chapman

Tolkien writes to Mrs Chapman, the founder of the UK Tolkien Society, to thank her for 80th birthday present from the Society.
6 February 1972
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Hilary Tolkien

Tolkien writes to Hilary to wish him a happy birthday and talks about his move back to Oxford from Bournemouth.
16 February 1972
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Darrington

Tolkien writes to Miss Darrington and offers to visit her. He also mentions selling his library and house.
16 March 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Dear R.  Letters #333

Tolkien invites Rayner and his wife to visit him in his new flat at Merton.
30 March 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #334

Tolkien thanks Rayner for organizing his trip to London to Buckingham Palace to be awarded the C.B.E., a party at the Garrick Club in his honour and sta...
23 April 1972
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Suzanne Eward

Tolkien writes to Suzanne Eward saying that he will certainly donate copies of his work to the library where she worked.
28 April 1972
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs. Robertson

Tolkien writes to Mrs Roberston to arrange to visit her in Sidmouth, with his daughter and grandson Simon. He also talks about relatives in Canada.
1 May 1972
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Donna Sadlier

Miss Sadlier asked for an autograph but Tolkien states that he gets so many requests that these are now only for friends and family. Though he does send...
Not dated (?May 1972)
J.R.R. Tolkien to Lord Halsbury  Letters #334a

Tolkien had moved to 21 Merton Street in Oxford. Lord Halsbury had offered to help him with book moving. Tolkien thanks him but declines his offer and t...
3 May 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Graham Tayar

Tolkien accepts an invitation to dine with the London Old Edwardians.
5 May 1972
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Suzanne Eward

Tolkien sends a typed letter dated 5 May 1972, stating that he had ordered from publishers Allen & Unwin the three volumes of Lord of the Rings and The ...
14 May 1972
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Jonathan Wordsworth

Tolkien accepts an invitation to dine with The Society, and noting that he has sent a card to Cecil, the host for this particular dinner. The Society wa...
18 May 1972
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Robert Theodore Meyer

Tolkien declines to meet or be interviewed by Mr. Meyer as he is unable to spare the time.
18 May 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Salmon  Letters #335

Tolkien explains that he does not have time to comment on his works.
23 May 1972
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Dear Sirs

Tolkien asked for help to find the address of a a correspondent.
23 May 1972
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Sir Patrick Browne  Letters #336

Tolkien writes about being a cult figure.
25 May 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr Wrigley  Letters #337

Tolkien discusses the sources of The Lord of the Rings.
?6 June 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Fr. Douglas Carter  Letters #338

Tolkien discusses the question, did the Ents ever find the Entwives?
6 June 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Lord Bullock  Letters #338a

On the 3rd June 1972, Tolkien is awarded an honorary Doctorate of Letters by Vice Chancellor of Oxford University (Lord Bullock; then Sir Alan Bullock)....
11 June 1972
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Robert Burchfield

Tolkien writes to Robert Burchfield profusely apologising about not returning one of Roberts books, Kentish Place-names by J.K. Wallenberg.
29 June 1972
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr Welland

Tolkien thanks Mr Welland for his letter.
30 June 1972 (published 4 July)
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J.R.R. Tolkien to The Daily Telegraph  Letters #339

Tolkien writes to the Daily Telegraph newspaper about an editorial which they published on the 29th June 1972. He objects to having his name used as an ...
9 July 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #339a

Tolkien discusses the various meals that he has been treated to.
11 July 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #340

Tolkien writes to Christopher about Edith, her headstone, his thoughts of her as Lúthien and a visit to GA&Us headquarters.
27 July 1972
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Help the Aged Housing Association (Tolkien's Desk)

Tolkiens desk where he wrote parts of The Lord of the Rings and entirety of The Hobbit, so said by Tolkien himself. A photocopy of the letter with a com...
3 August 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Dorothy Wood

Tolkien writes to Dorothy Wood about family matters and his diminishing pension. He says that he has more work now than before retiring, and that he has...
17 September 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Dorothy Wood

Tolkien will be staying at the Hotel Miramar for three nights in October and he looks forward to seeing her. Tolkien indeed stays in October and they se...
17 September 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Marjorie Incledon  Letters #341

Tolkien discusses his living situation at Merton College. His fame forces him to live behind locked doors.
26 September 1972
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Wordsworth

Tolkien discusses plans to make copies of his bust which is held at the English Faculty in Oxford. He thinks of casts or photographs and offers to sign ...
12 October 1972
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin

A letter regarding the printed appearance of colours of certain pictures in the Ballantine Tolkien Calendar, the Moria Gate illustration, and not liking...
3 November 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Graham Tayar

Tolkien declines the invitation previously accepted due to ill health.
7 November 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Dorothy Wood

Tolkien writes to inform Dorothy Wood that he is feeling much better.
9 November 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs Meriel Thurston  Letters #342

Tolkien is asked about Elvish names for bulls and herds of cattle.
21 November 1972
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Sterling Lanier  Letters #343

Tolkien describes his use for a drinking goblet sent to him, inscribed with the One Ring inscription. Published (in part) as letter 343 from The Letters...
23 November 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Glover  Letters #343a

Tolkien declines to discuss C.S. Lewis and states that he is still trying to work on The Silmarillion.
23 November 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edmund Meskys  Letters #344

Tolkien talks about numerals in The Lord of the Rings. A photocopy with a complete transcript is held at the Marquette archives.
30 November 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs Meriel Thurston  Letters #345

A continuation of #Letter342, where Tolkien continues to discuss naming animals.
13 December 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Lyle Leach  Letters #346

Tolkien expounds upon Gandalfs statement He that breaks a thing to find out what it is have left the path of wisdom when responding to someones destruct...
17 December 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Richard Jeffery  Letters #347

A reply to the following questions: (1) Does ‘Speak, friend, and enter’ (the inscription over Moria Gate) mean ‘Speak as a friend’, i.e. in a fr...

1973

Not dated (January 1973)
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss T.R.C.  Letters #347a

Tolkien details his thoughts on a recent article about him in a paper, and what he thought should have been written about. He then tells the respondent ...
9 January 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien to Professor Michael Swann

Tolkien expresses his delight in accepting the offer of the Senatus Academicus . He has suggested the 12th July 1973, and he hopes he will be able to at...
18 January 1973
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Uggla

Tolkien writes about a cutting in the Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter and his influence by the American fantasy writer John Cabell.
18 January 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald and Janet Swann

No details of this letter to Donald Swann and his wife Janet are known but the Swanns would visit Tolkien and his daughter Priscilla in late January or ...
24 January 1973
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Sterling Lanier  Letters #347b

Tolkien writes, thanking Lanier for the book The War for the Lot by Lanier himself. Tolkien says that he found it quite original, and frightening. Tolki...
25 January 1973
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr Hunt

Tolkien sympathies with the writer about dark days and wishes him well for the future.
6 February 1973
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J.R.R. Tolkien to J.E. Cook & Mr. M. Roland

Tolkien writes to confirm that he is happy to sign their books. He is unwell so cannot make any plans but to call at 21 Merton Street and he will see th...
9 February 1973
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Sterling Lanier

In an update to his letter of 24 January (see #TCGLetter835) Tolkien confirms that he has asked for GA&U to help clear up the matter of the copyright si...
24 February 1973
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Jonathan Wordsworth

Tolkien describes his health, regretting that he cannot accept an invitation to dine. Jonathan Fletcher Wordsworth (1932-2006) was an academic, literary...
6 March 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien to Daphne Castell

Daphne Castell (later Cloke) interviewed Tolkien circa 1966. This letter, along with two others and an annotated transcript of her notes for the intervi...
6 March 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs Catharine Findlay  Letters #348

Tolkien responds an enquiry about Galadriel.
8 March 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien to Clyde S. Kilby  Letters #348a

Tolkien writes to Clyse S. Kilby regarding his health issues. Kilby remarks in his article Woodland Prisoner from SEVEN Vol. 27 that this was the last l...
8 March 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs E. R. Ehrardt  Letters #349

Tolkien discusses the origins of the name Tolkien.
24 March 1973
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Denis and Joyce Tolhurst

A partial letter to Tolkiens doctor.
24 March 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien  Letters #349a

Tolkien writes about the process of writing letters, a very relevant topic to be included.
?Late April 1973
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr Hodgson

Tolkien writes to Mr Hodgson, who has asked for a hand-written version of the poem The Road Goes Ever On and On. Tolkien apologizes for a delayed respon...
20 April 1973
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Dr Tolhurst

Tolkien writes to his Physician Extraordinary (Doctor Tolhurst) and asks if he can go and stay with him and his wife.
20 April 1973
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr Higgins

Tolkien writes to Mr Higgins and declines his invitation to be on a jury. He talks about his frustrations with his health and that he is trying to solel...
20 May 1973
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J.R.R. Tolkien to J. F. Wordsworth

Tolkien doesnt want to lose touch with friends due to health, so he plans to attend a dinner.
24 May 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.L. Wiseman  Letters #350

Tolkien writes to his T.C.B.S. friend Christopher Wiseman and thinks of his friends in the T.C.B.S.
29 May 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #351

Tolkien writes to Christopher about his trip to the Tolhursts and news of Priscillas holiday in Crete.
30 May 1973
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Brown

Tolkien sends a postcard accepting a request to sign a copy of The Lord of the Rings even though he has told everyone that he will not do this.
5 June 1973
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J.R.R. Tolkien to James A.H. Murray

Tolkien arranges to sign some copies of his copies of his books for James and discusses the security that has been put in place by college to protect him.
5 June 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien to Ungfrú Aðalsteinsdottir  Letters #352

Tolkien is pleased that The Hobbit is being translated into Icelandic.
14 June 1973
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs Jeronimides

Tolkien offers advice on translating the Hobbit into Italian, he suggests borrowing words from English and making them sound like Italian words i.e. tro...
14 June 1973
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Tolkin

A fan with a similar last name asks if he can visit with Professor Tolkien when he passes through Oxford. Tolkien politely declines, but also gives a sh...
21 June 1973
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr Todd

Tolkien writes to Mr Todd and has signed The Lord of the Rings. He was impressed with the letter from Angela and he corrects her spelling.
24 June 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien to Dorothy Wood

In this letter to Dorothy Wood, Tolkien mentions his poor health. he is not allowed to drink wine or heavy evening meals. Tolkien had earlier arranged f...
8 July 1973
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Canon Norman S. Power

Tolkien sends Canon Power a signature, a spare copy of a publication, mentioning his childhood in Birmingham, and J. H. Shorthouses book John Inglesant....
23 July 1973
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J.R.R. Tolkien to High Court of Justice

I JOHN RONALD REUEL TOLKIEN of Merton College Oxford hereby revoke all wills and testamentary dispositions previously made by me and declare this to be ...
28 July 1973
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Professor Campbell

Tolkien writes to Doctor Campbell about how much he enjoyed his visit to Edinburgh and the wonderful reception that he was given.
28 July 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien to Professor Campbell

Tolkien thanks Campbell for academic events of July 11th and 12th which he enjoyed, both the feasting and ceremonies. There was much alcohol and Tolkien...
4 August 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien to Lord Halsbury  Letters #353

Tolkien writes about his current views on Galadriel which changed frequently through out his life.
25 August 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien to Glyn Daniel

Tolkien writes a letter of thanks for dinner with Professor Glyn Daniel in Cambridge. The letter is printed in J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography, pp. 256-7.
29 August 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien to Priscilla Tolkien  Letters #354

This letter to Priscilla was written four days before Tolkiens death.
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