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Guide to Tolkien's Letters
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Letters Letter Tags

Guide to Tolkien's Letters


X

The Lord of the Rings

(304 letters match)

1944

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.
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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...
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 ...
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 ...

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...
3 April 1950
Sir Stanley Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien

Sir Stanley Unwin writes to Tolkien on the matter of how to publish the Lord of the Rings. He does not see a possibility of one volume and gives some fi...
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 ...
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...

1953

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.
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 ...
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 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...
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...
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...
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

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.
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...
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...
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. ...
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 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...
25 September 1954
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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
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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 ...
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...
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
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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 ...
22 November 1954
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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...
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

3 February 1955
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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
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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...
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
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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
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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
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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
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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...
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...
28 June 1955
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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...
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
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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.
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
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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.
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...
7 September 1955
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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
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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...
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. ...
28 September 1955
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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 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
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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...
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 ...
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...

1956

1956
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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...
1 January 1956
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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.
14 January 1956
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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.
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
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Doris Elizabeth Sykes

This letter was sold with another letter dated July 1956. See #TCGLetter237
?Mid-February 1956
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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...
7 March 1956
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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
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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...
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...
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 ...
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.
16 April 1956
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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 ...
?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
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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
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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...
5 November 1956
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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...
8 December 1956
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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...

1957

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.
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. ...
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
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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...
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...
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...
14 September 1957
C.S. Lewis to Lucy Matthews

C.S. Lewis writes to a young reader thanking her for her letter on her enjoyment of his Narnia stories. He says that he too enjoys Nesbit and notes furt...
17 November 1957
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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.
19 December 1957
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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...

1958

14 January 1958
Rayner Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien

Rayner has found a lady who can index The Lord of the Rings for him, and notes that he has said it is to be in two parts. One of proper names and one of...
22 February 1958
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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.
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
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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...
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...
27 May 1958
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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...
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...
11 September 1958
C.S. Lewis to Lucy Matthews

After lewis had suggested Lucy Matthews to read The Lord of the Rings, she wrote to Lewis again and he replied saying that she had got it exactly right ...
14 October 1958
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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
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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.
26 October 1958
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J.R.R. Tolkien to L.M. Cutts

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

1961

1961
George Allen & Unwin to Houghton Mifflin Co.

A series of letters found at the University of Reading GA&U archives. Consisting of 144 items. Not all of these letters are concerned with Tolkien but s...
5 January 1961
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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 ...
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.
8 June 1961
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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
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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,
4 August 1961
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C.S. Lewis to Father Dominic

C.S. Lewis is surprised that Father Dominic thinks The Lord of the Rings has not caught on.
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...

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.
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...
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 ...
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...
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, ...
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...
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 ...
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

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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
30 July 1964
Rayner Unwin (George Allen & Unwin) to Pauline Baynes

Rayner Unwin says that the artwork for the Lord of the Rings have been safely collected, they look marvellous, Rayner will take to Tolkien as soon as ca...
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...
4 August 1964
Rayner Unwin to Pauline Baynes

Rayner Unwin of GA&U writing to Pauline Baynes, as said in my scribbled postscript we all of us are entranced by your design for the box of The Lord of ...
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...

1965

Mid to late 1960s
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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...
2 January 1965
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Iris Murdoch to J.R.R. Tolkien

The writer, Iris Murdoch sends Tolkien a fan-letter to show her appreciation for The Lord of the Rings. Two pages were reproduced in Tolkien: Maker of M...
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 ...
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
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Tolkien's Secretary to Mr Eder

Tolkiens secretary writes about Ace Books to Mr Eder.
20 May 1965
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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 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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...

1966

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...
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...
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...
20 March 1966
Charles Mitchel to J.R.R. Tolkien

Charles Micthell, husband of folk singer Joni Mitchell wrote to Tolkien asking if he could use two names, Lorien and Strider as names for a publsihing a...
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.
22 August 1966
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Timothy J. Wheeler to J.R.R. Tolkien

Wheeler sends Tolkien a copy of the August edition of RALLY whoch includes a review of The Lord of the Rings by Jared Lobdell. Noted at regarding the da...
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.
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.
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.

1969

1969
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Maria Mroczkowska

Tolkien discusses the literary genres that he uses and his Atlantis complex.
3 January 1969
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Niall, David and Catherine McCall

Tolkien sends some autographs for the McCall children to put in their books.
14 January 1969
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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...
23 January 1969
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Allen & Unwin (Joy Hill) to Michael Bell

Joy Hill writes to Michael Bell on behalf of Tolkien. She thanks him for his letter. She says that Tolkien is currently very busy and asks Mr. Bells for...
25 January 1969
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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...
1 April 1969
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Christopher Tolkien to J.C. Lobdell

Christopher writes to Mr Lobdell about his questions concerning his father. Did Christopher influence the Lord of the Rings? Is the dwarves language ass...
9 May 1969
Rayner Unwin to Pauline Baynes

Rayner Unwin of GA&U writes to Pauline Baynes. The poster of the map of Middle-earth in The Lord of the Rings has had enormous success. Allen & Unwin wo...
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.
1 October 1969
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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 ...
16 October 1969
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Miss Joy Hill to The Press

GA&U Press Release: George Allen & Unwin Ltd are pleased to announce the sale of the film and certain allied rights in J.R.R. Tolkiens famous book THE L...
16 November 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Amy Ronald  Letters #312

Tolkien discusses his love of botany.

1972

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.
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 ...
?6 June 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Fr. Douglas Carter  Letters #338

Tolkien discusses the question, did the Ents ever find the Entwives?
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...
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 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...
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