TCG Letter #1845

C.A. Furth writes to Tolkien on matters of his illustrations for The Hobbit. His drawings are admirable and blocks for them are being produced. It is noted that Mirkwood, shaded with an ink wash, "will present a little difficulty in reproduction – unless it were to be printed separately on glossy paper, which we think would be disturbing". The drawings other than 'The Front Gate' will need to be turned parallel to the spine. GA&U will try to display the 'moon-letters' on Thror's Map in a cunning way using a grey tone. Tolkien is asked where the illustrations should be sighted in the book. Tolkien is asked to redraw the illustrations in three colours, plus black to make them easier, and cheaper, to reproduce.