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


X

the hobbit

(259 letters match)

1936

?Early 1936 (?sometime between January and April)
George Allen & Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1805


Tolkien is asked by GA&U if he wishes to working on a revision to John R. Clark Hall's Modern English transaltion of Beowulf and The Fight at Finnesburg...
30 March 1936
C.A. Furth (GA&U) to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1809


C. A. Furth writes to Tolkien on the matter of the Clark-Hall edition of Beowulf. GA&U are keen for Tolkien to edit a new edition, or suggest a likely c...
10 August 1936
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1367
 Carpenter #8b



Writing to, Christopher, Tolkien says he misses his son but that he is glad Christopher’s little holiday has begun with fine weather. He discusses the...
3 October 1936 (received 5 October)
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin
#1832


Tolkien sends the completed typescipt for the Hobbit and one illustration, likely one of his maps. Allen and Unwin will receive them two days later on 5...
5 October 1936
Stanley Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1833


Stanley Unwin writes to Tolkien to acknowledge receipt of the typescripts for the Hobbit. He also asks Tolkien to see his translation of Pearl, which th...
30 October 1936
Rayner Unwin to Sir Stanley Unwin
#1176


Sir Stanley Unwin's son Rayner was paid to write a review of a book that was being considered for publication, The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
2 December 1936
Stanley Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1839


Stanley Unwin sends to Tolkien the contract duplicate. This is noted by Hammond/Scull as the final step for accepting the Hobbit for publication and on ...
4 December 1936
Susan Dagnall to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1840


Further to her visit to see Tolkien, Susan Dagnall sends Tolkien a revised specimen page of The Hobbit and asks him to write a short blurb for GA&U to u...
8 December 1936
J.R.R. Tolkien to Susan Dagnall
#1841


Tolkien replies to Susan Dagnall's letter. He includes the blurb for publicity on the Hobbit. He does not like the star ornament at the beginning of the...
10 December 1936
Susan Dagnall to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1842


Susan Dagnall writes again to Tolkien on the matter of the Hobbit. His maps will require redrawing as there are too many colours. She suggests red and b...
December 10 1936
Susan Dagnall to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2242


Susan Dagnall, at George Allen & Unwin, gives Tolkien feedback from the production department about adjustments that will need to be made to the five pr...

1937

4 January 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Susan Dagnall
#9
 Carpenter #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...
7 January 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to George Allen & Unwin
#1844


Tolkien returns a slip to GA&U, likely the publicity piece for The Hobbit.
7 January 1937
C.A. Furth (GA&U) to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1845


C. A. Furth of GA&U writes to Tolkien on matters of his illustrations for The Hobbit. His drawings are admirable and blocks for them are being produced....
17 January 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth
#10
 Carpenter #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...
23 January 1937
Susan Dagnall to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1846


Susan Dagnall of GA&U writes to Tolkien asking if he can keep one day free, either 13 or 14 February, for her and C. A. Furth to visit Tolkien to discus...
23 January 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Susan Dagnall
#1847


Tolkien in reply to Susan Dagnall's letter sent that morning, , notes that he can keep either 13 or 14 February free. He includes the original drawing o...
1 February 1937
Susan Dagnall to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1848


Susan Dagnall writes to Tolkien, correcting a misstatement in her previous letter . Thror's Map will have to be used as an endpaper due to costs, but no...
5 February 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Susan Dagnall
#11
 Carpenter #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
J.R.R. Tolkien to R.W. Chambers
#139


Tolkien makes mention of the new volume on Buckingham by P.N. Tolkien also promises to send Chambers a copy of his book, written for his children and oc...
20 February 1937
George Allen & Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1849


GA&U send to Tolkien a set of proofs for the Hobbit.
21 February 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to George Allen & Unwin
#1850


Tolkien writes to GA&U noting that he has corrected the first proofs for The Hobbit but says that he wants to keep hold of them until the complete set h...
24 February 1937
C.A. Furth (GA&U) to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1851


C. A. Furth of GA&U writes to Tolkien to inform him that the 'fine lines' in The Trolls illustration have broken when reproduced, but that there is no r...
24 February 1937
George Allen & Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1852


GA&U sends to Tolkien the remaining proofs of The Hobbit and ask that he restricts any corrections to those unavoidable. They further ask that he try to...
?10 March 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth
#1370
 Carpenter #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...
?10 March 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to George Allen & Unwin
#1854


Tolkien returns to GA&U the remaining proofs, end-papers, and suggestions for them of The Hobbit.
23 March 1937
C.A. Furth (GA&U) to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1855


Replying to Tolkien's letter, Furth confirms that Tolkien will receive proofs of the corrected portions for The Hobbit. Tolkien is warned that the corre...
30 March 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth
#1866


Writing to C. A. Furth of GA&U, Tolkien hopes that the proofs for The Hobbit will arrive with him during his vacation. He also notes that he will attemp...
31 March 1937
C.A. Furth (GA&U) to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1867


In reply to Tolkien's letter, C.A. Furth writes to say that the printers have decided to revise the whole of The Hobbit. Tolkien should receive some of ...
c. 3-4 and 7 April 1937
George Allen & Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1869


In two batches, Tolkien receives the proofs for The Hobbit. Exact dates are not known but does follow approximately to C. A. Furth's letter of 31 March ...
13 April 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.
#12
 Carpenter #12



Concerning Tolkien's corrections to the text of The Hobbit, the cost of those corrections, and who would incur that cost, as well as details of his subm...
15 April 1937
C.A. Furth (GA&U) to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1870


C.A. Furth writes to Tolkien. He makes mention that the margins around the Hobbit illustrations will be adjusted before the final printing and apologize...
25 April 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Charles Furth
#137


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...
28 April 1937
C.A. Furth (GA&U) to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1871


Furth writes to Tolkien to say that the red will have to be removed from The Hobbit jacket and the sun will have an outline to highlight it. This letter...
11 May 1937
C.A. Furth (GA&U) to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1872


C. A. Furth informs Tolkien that a US publisher is interested in publishing The Hobbit and they would like to add four colour illustrations to the book....
13 May 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth
#13
 Carpenter #13



This two-page handwritten letter contains some of Tolkien's thoughts on the potential publication of The Hobbit in the USA. Tolkien can make illustratio...
14 May 1937
C.A. Furth (GA&U) to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1873


In reply to Tolkien's letter asking about the US publisher interested in The Hobbit, C. A. Furth gives details. It is the Houghton Mifflin Company (HMC)...
22 May 1937
George Allen & Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1874


GA&U send to Tolkien (for his approval) proof copies of The Hobbit dust-jacket.
26 May 1937
George Allen & Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1875


GA&U send to Tolkien (for his approval) sample bindings for The Hobbit.
28 May 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.
#14
 Carpenter #14



In this three-page handwritten letter, Tolkien writes to his publisher about the release date for The Hobbit, going on at length about how it would be b...
28 May 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin
#475


Tolkien, writing to GA&U approves the dust-jacket for The Hobbit but feels the sun would be better with a finer outline. He prefers the green binding an...
31 May 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Lionel Salt
#80


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...
1 June 1937
C.A. Furth (GA&U) to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1919


Writing to Tolkien, C. A. Furth of GA&U asks him to return the approved binding for The Hobbit. He agrees that the 'wavy line' will be removed, but says...
c. 1 June 1937
George Allen & Unwin to Houghton Mifflin Co.
#1920


Noted in their letter to Tolkien of 1 June 1937, C. A. Furth says that they have written to Houghton Mifflin in regard of Tolkien's letter to them of 28...
c. July 1937 - August 1937
George Allen & Unwin to C. S. Lewis
#1978


C. S. Lewis recieves an unbound copy of The Hobbit from GA&U.
3 July 1937
C.A. Furth to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2243


Furth sends a new sample case of The Hobbit to Tolkien with changes to the lettering and decorations after Tolkien's feedback sent on 28 May.
8 July 1937
C.A. Furth (GA&U) to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1944


C. A. writes, informing Tolkien that GA&U will send him a new binding for The Hobbit. It will have have different lettering without the lines under the ...
?9 July 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth
#1945


Tolkien writes to Furth of GA&U. He agrees that the revised binding would do. He had hoped that the 'wavy line' would be transformed into something and ...
14 July 1937
George Allen & Unwin to Russell Meiggs
#2015


GA&U send Russell Meiggs, editor of the Oxford Magazine, an unbound copy of The Hobbit per Tolkien's request. It is assumed that with any manuscript/pro...
?22 July 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to George Allen & Unwin
#1946


Tolkien writes to GA&U and encloses the most recent photograph of himself as requested by Susan Dagnall. By letter or in person? He asks them again abou...
24 July 1937
Stanley Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1948


Stanley Unwin writes to Tolkien on the matter of his visit to London to meet with him and C. A. Furth on 28 July. He notes that if they have heard from ...
25 July 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#1949


Tolkien replies to Stanley Unwin's letter. He will meet him at the GA&U office around 12.30pm on 28 July. He is unsure of the copyright status of the ph...
August 1937
George Allen & Unwin to Elaine Griffiths
#1979


GA&U send a copy of The Hobbit to Elaine Griffiths. Elaine was a family friend, and recalls reading the story from a "beautifully typed copy". It is ass...
August 1937
George Allen & Unwin to C. L. (Charles Leslie) Wrenn
#1996


GA&U send C. L. Wrenn a copy of The Hobbit as requested by Tolkien. It is assumed that with any manuscript/proofs or copies of books sent that a cover l...
August 1937
George Allen & Unwin to Helen Buckhurst
#1997


At Tolkien's request, GA&U sends Helen Buckhurst a copy of The Hobbit. It is assumed that with any manuscript/proofs or copies of books sent that a cove...
c. August 1937 - September 1937
?J.R.R. Tolkien ?George Allen & Unwin to Robert (Robert Mantle) Rattenbury
#2006


Robert Rattenbury is sent a copy of The Hobbit. It is not known specifically who sent it to him, be that Tolkien himself or through GA&U. No other detai...
August 1937
George Allen & Unwin to A. H. Smith
#2007


A. H. Smith from the Early English Text Society is sent a copy of The Hobbit by GA&U as requested by Tolkien. It is assumed that with any manuscript/pro...
August 1937
Russell Meiggs (for Oxford Magazine) to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2016


Russell Meiggs (editor of the Oxford Magazine) writes to Tolkien with thanks for a copy of The Hobbit. The letter was described by Meiggs himself as an ...
circa 7 August 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. and Mrs. Livesey
#2031


Please note that we do not believe any letter exists for this entry but rather that Tolkien hand-delivered a copy of The Hobbit for family friends, the ...
10 August 1937
C.A. Furth (GA&U) to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1951


C. A. Furth writes to let Tolkien know that he is sending to him an advance copy of The Hobbit and asks if he would like more. He notes that Houghton Mi...
13 August 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth
#1966


Tolkien writes to C. A. Furth asking that copies of The Hobbit be sent to R. W. Chambers and George S. Gordon. He says that GA&U can use the colour illu...
c. 14 August 1937
George Allen & Unwin to R.W. Chambers
#1984


As requested by Tolkien, C. A. Furth sends a copy of The Hobbit to R. W. Chambers. It is assumed that with any manuscript/proofs or copies of books sent...
c. 14 August 1937
George Allen & Unwin to George S. Gordon
#2017


George S. Gordon receives a copy of The Hobbit as requested by Tolkien. It is assumed that with any manuscript/proofs or copies of books sent that a cov...
c. 15-31 August 1937 (undated)
R.W. Chambers to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1985


Chambers writes to Tolkien thanking him for a copy of The Hobbit. It is this letter which is forwarded by Tolkien with a letter to GA&U. He updates Tolk...
16 August 1937
C.A. Furth (GA&U) to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1968


Furth confirms that he has sent the copies of the Hobbit to the people Tolkien requested. He includes the drawing of a dragon that Tolkien had produced ...
31 August 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth (Allen & Unwin)
#15
 Carpenter #15



Tolkien sends the last two colour drawings for the American edition of The Hobbit and asks GA&U to send it on to Houghton Mifflin. he also asks about a ...
4 September 1937
C.A. Furth (GA&U) to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1973


In a letter to Tolkien, C. A. Furth notes that he has written to Houghton Mifflin asking that Tolkien's specimen drawings be returned and asks them to c...
5-7 September 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth (of George Allen and Unwin)
#81


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...
6 September 1937
Stanley Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1974


Stanley Unwin sends Tolkien an advance of £25 for The Hobbit.
7 September 1937 (postmarked)
R.W. Chambers to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1986


Chambers writes again offering thanks for a copy of The Hobbit, and presumably, criticism on it. He gives Tolkien an update on his recovery after a bout...
8 September 1937
C.A. Furth (GA&U) to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1975


C. A. Firth informs Tolkien that he is sending a complimentary copy of The Hobbit to W. R. Childe and that his remaining author copies will be sent to h...
c. 8 - 26 September 1937*
George Allen & Unwin to W.R. Childe
#2032


Childe is sent a copy of The Hobbit which had been requested by Tolkien. Childe writes to thank Tolkien and offer his congratulations on the publication...
17 September 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth
#1333


Tolkien writes to C.A. Furth of GA&U. He needs five outstanding author's copies and seven copies for giving to a few people who cannot buy a of The Hobb...
17 September 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#1372
 Carpenter #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
J.R.R. Tolkien to Simonne d'Ardenne
#82


A short note enclosed with a copy of The Hobbit which was published on the same day. It was sent to Simonne d'Ardenne as a gift. This letter is held amo...
c. 21 September 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to E.V. Gordon
#1976


Tolkien sends a copy of his newly published book, The Hobbit, to his friend E. V. Gordon.
c. 21 September 1937
George Allen & Unwin to Marjorie Incledon
#1982


GA&U sends a copy of The Hobbit to Tolkien's cousin, Marjorie Incledon at his request. It is assumed that with any manuscript/proofs or copies of books ...
c. 21 September 1937
George Allen & Unwin to Mary Incledon
#1983


GA&U send Mary Incledon, Tolkien's cousin, a copy of The Hobbit as requested by him. It is assumed that with any manuscript/proofs or copies of books se...
c. 21 September 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to K. M. (Katherine Mary) Kilbride
#1980


Tolkien sends a copy of The Hobbit to Tolkien family friend and former student, Katharine Kilbride, with a dedication and a four-line original inscripti...
c. 21 September 1937 - end of 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mabel Tolkien (Mitton)
#1993


Tolkien sent a copy of The Hobbit to his Aunt Mabel, but it is not known if it arrived before her death. John D. Rateliff notes in his History of The Ho...
c. 21 September 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jennie Grove
#2008


Edith's cousin, Jennie Grove is sent a copy of The Hobbit. It is assumed that with any manuscript/proofs or copies of books sent that a cover letter or ...
c. 21 September 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stella Mills
#2011


On or around publication day of The Hobbit, Tolkien sends an inscribed copy to his former student and friend Stella Mills. It is assumed that with any m...
c. 21 September 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Hilary Tolkien
#2033


Tolkien sends a copy of The Hobbit to his brother, Hilary. It is assumed that with any manuscript/proofs or copies of books sent that a cover letter or ...
c. 21 September 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Charles and Dorothy Moore
#2029


Tolkien sends family friends, Charles and Dorothy Moore a copy of his newly published book, The Hobbit. Their copy of the book was put up for auction on...
22 September 1937 (unsent)
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jane Neave
#112


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...
22 September 1937
K. M. (Katherine Mary) Kilbride to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2019


Kilbride writes to Tolkien from Bradford offering praise for The Hobbit. This letter is held among the Tolkien Papers at the Bodleian Library.
23 September 1937
E. V. Gordon to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1977


E. V. Gordon replies to Tolkien to thank him for a copy of The Hobbit and offers comments on the story. The letter is held at the Bodleian Library archive.
23 September 1937
Helen Buckhurst to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1998


Helen Buckhurst writes to Tolkien to thank him for arranging for a copy of The Hobbit to be sent to her. She says the book is delightful, though she wis...
23 September 1937
Jennie Grove to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2009


Jennie Grove writes to Tolkien thanking him for the copy of The Hobbit she has recieved. She is "delighted" by it and hopes that it is a huge success fo...
24 September 1937
Hilary Tolkien to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2018


Hilary writes to Tolkien thanking him for sending a copy of The Hobbit. He will read it soon and then will read it with Gabriel, his eldest son. He also...
27 September 1937
W.R. Childe to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2012


Tolkien had arranged that a copy of The Hobbit be sent to Childe, and Childe writes to congratulate Tolkien on its publication and offers thanks for his...
27 September 1937
C.A. Furth to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2090


C.A. Furth informs Tolkien that Houghton Mifflin Co. will pay him $100 for use of his illustrations for their edition of The Hobbit, due to be (and ulti...
October 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Henry, Mary and also Aileen and Elizabeth Jennings
#1992


Tolkien sends a copy of The Hobbit to the Jennings family. It is assumed that with any manuscript/proofs or copies of books sent that a cover letter or ...
1 October 1937
Jane Neave to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2002


Tolkien's Aunt Jane (Neave) writes to Tolkien demanding to know more about his new book, The Hobbit. Tolkien had written to her, and signed a copy of th...
2 October 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1373
 Carpenter #15b



Writing to his son Christopher, Tolkien says how delighted he is to have received his letter, although he doesn't expect them. He, Edith, and Priscilla ...
3 October 1937
Dorothy Moore to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2030


Dorothy Moore writes to Tolkien. Christopher Tolkien had spent some time with them on holiday and she makes mention of this and remarks on The Hobbit. T...
5 October 1937
Richard Hughes to Allen & Unwin
#1861


Allen & Unwin had sent copies of The Hobbit to various authors in order to solicit reviews. Hughes's response was used for publicity materials to advert...
6 October 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jane Neave
#2003


Tolkien had written to his aunt, Jane Neave on 22 September and signed a copy of The Hobbit. It turned out that he had mislaid the letter and book and t...
7 October 1937
Mary St John [Wiseman] to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2034


Mary writes to Tolkien asking if he would send her a presentation copy of The Hobbit. In return she will send him prayers. This letter is found among th...
9 October 1937
Jane Neave to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2004


Aunt Jane writes again to Tolkien now that she has recieved a copy of The Hobbit. She is delighted with it and says that "the origin of golf" finished h...
9 October 1937
W.R. Childe to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2013


Following his previous letter offering Tolkien thanks and congratulations on The Hobbit, Childe sends a postcard with congratulations on the positive re...
10 October 1937
G.E.K. Braunholtz to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2035


G.E.K. Braunholtz, a colleague from Oxford writes to Tolkien. He has read the positive review in The Times and quotes from it in his letter. This letter...
11 October 1937
Stanley Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1987


Stanley Unwin writes to Tolkien telling him that The Hobbit is selling well, and had good reviews in the Times Literary Supplement and The Times itself....
15 October 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#19
 Carpenter #17



Tolkien was pleased that The Hobbit was being well received, though he knows that the two glowing, unsigned reviews in The Times and the Times Literary ...
19 October 1937
Stanley Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2087


Stanley Unwin writes to Tolkien. he remarks that he has no doubt that Tolkien will do well from his first publication. He describes Tolkien as a genius ...
c. First half of November 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mlle Tardivel
#2108


Tolkien replies to Mlle Tardivel's letter on a French translation of The Hobbit. He says that he will forward this to his publisher, George Allen & Unwi...
5 November 1937
F.E. Harmer to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2036


F.E. Harmer, a colleague from Manchester writes to Tolkien to ask advice on the meaning of various Old English words and if Tolkien could present any ci...
c. First week of November 1937
Mlle Tardivel to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2107


Mlle Tardivel writes to Tolkien asking about the possibility of her translating The Hobbit into French.
12 November 1937
Mabel Milton to Hilary Tolkien
#1889


Hilary's Aunt Mabel writes in reply to his letter. She has been unwell for quite some time and is only able to travel short distances. She hopes to be w...
16 November 1937
G.B. [Grace Bindley] Mountain to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2037


Tolkien's aunt, Grace, writes to him offering thoughts on The Hobbit. This letter is held at the Bodleian Library archives with the Tolkien Papers.
17 November 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#1009


Tolkien writes to Stanley Unwin, including a letter he received from a Mlle Tardivel who had written asking about a possible French translation of The H...
20 November 1937
Stanley Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2109


Stanley Unwin writes to Tolkien in reply to his letter on foreign translations of The Hobbit. He mentions that GA&U are working to arrange German, Scand...
28 November 1937
Geoffrey E. Selby to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2038


Selby writes to Tolkien on various matters related to The Hobbit. He asks about discrepancies between the text of The Hobbit and 'Thror's Map'. Tolkien ...
c. end of 1937 - early 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to Florence Hadley
#1994


Tolkien sends a copy of The Hobbit to his Aunt Florence who had emigrated to British Columbia, Canada, possibly with a letter or note (not seen).
13 December 1937
Arthur Ransome to J.R.R. Tolkien
#106


Arthur Ransome, best known for his Swallows and Amazons series of childrens books wrote to Tolkien in 1937 after The Hobbit had been published, firstly ...
14 December 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Geoffrey E. Selby
#84


Tolkien apologizes for the delay in replying to Selby's November letter due to his poor health. He remarks that he prefers his own mythology which The H...
15 December 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Arthur Ransome
#105


Replying to Arthur Ransome's letter of 13th December Tolkien opens with exclamations of honour at receiving a letter from Ransome. Tolkien apologizes fo...
15th December 1937
Stanley Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1109


Stanley writes to Tolkien with news that the first edition of The Hobbit has sold and a new printing will be issued almost immediately. He notes that To...
16 December 1937
Stanley Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2020


Stanley Unwin writes to Tolkien in connection to a competition ran by W.G. Le Tall of Geoffrey Tyndale’s Bookshop in Bath. They are offering prizes to...
17 December 1937
Arthur Ransome to J.R.R. Tolkien
#890


Arthur Ransome writes to Tolkien with further thoughts about The Hobbit. He says that he had recently had an operation and the book had turned that time...
17 December 1937
W.G. Le Tall to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2021


Following a letter the previous day from Stanley Unwin, Le Fall of Geoffrey Tyndale’s Bookshop in Bath writes to Tolkien with details on the competiti...
17 December 1937
C.A. Furth to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2121


C.A. Furth writes to update Tolkien on their efforts to get the reprint of The Hobbit out for the Christmas rush. The demand for it is high, GA&U had to...
20 December 1937
Stanley Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2124


Stanley Unwin writes to Tolkien and includes colour plates of illustrations for The Hobbit along with a report from Rayner on The Adventures of Tom Bomb...
20 December 1937
Stanley Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2125


Stanley Unwin sends Tolkien a typescript of Tolkien's story, The Lost Road to him, as promised. He says that its possible publishing success is hard to ...
22 December 1937
K. M. (Katherine Mary) Kilbride to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2126


When The Hobbit was published back in September, 1937, Tolkien had sent a signed first edition to his family friend, Katherine Mary. She had lent the bo...
24 December 1937
Gladys Lillian Tilly (Faulconbridge) [Aunt Lily] to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2039


Tolkien's Aunt Lily congratulates him on the publication of a second printing of The Hobbit. This letter is held at the Bodleian Library among their Tol...
27 December 1937
R.A. [Ruth] Smith to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2040


G.B. Smith's mother, Ruth Smith, writes to Tolkien with thanks for the copy of The Hobbit he sent her. She also touches on Christopher Tolkien. This let...
29 December 1937
W.G. Le Tall to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2022


W.G. Le Tall again writes to Tolkien about the competition his bookshop is running on The Hobbit. The letter is held with the Tolkien Papers at the Bodl...

1938

18 January 1938
G.H. White to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2024


A reader had written to the Observer newspaper asking various questions on The Hobbit and Beowulf. White sends a clipping of that letter to Tolkien and ...
1 February 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth (Allen & Unwin Ltd.)
#24
 Carpenter #21



Originally published as just a fragment of a letter, asking if Rayner Unwin was interested to read the "sequel to The Hobbit". In the revised 2023 editi...
8 February 1938
W.G. Le Tall to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2023


Le Tall sends his personal copy of The Hobbit for Tolkien to sign for him. He updates Tolkien on the competition, noting that it has not gone as well as...
11th February 1938
Stanley Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1988


Stanley Unwin writes that his son Rayner is delighted with the sample chapter from the new book about hobbits. Rayner does wonder if a child who hasn't ...
13 February 1938
Florence Hadley to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2001


Tolkien's Aunt Florence (Hadley) writes to thank him the copy of The Hobbit which he sent to her in British Columbia, Canada. She notes that had her sis...
17 February 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin
#589


Tolkien informs his publisher that Houghton Mifflin are yet to return to him the five orginal watercolour paintings for The Hobbit.
20 February 1938*
J.R.R. Tolkien to Editor of the Observer
#28
 Carpenter #25



Tolkien responds to a request, likely from a researcher or enthusiast, regarding the origins and inspirations behind his work, particularly The Hobbit. ...
Late February - early March, no later than 5 March
Houghton Mifflin Co. to George Allen & Unwin
#2138


Houghton Mifflin Co. send the five colour illustrations to GA&U discussed late in 1937.
5 March 1938
George Allen & Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2139


GA&U send the five colour illustrations (sent from Houghton Mifflin Co.) to Tolkien. In their Companion and Guide, Chronology, p. 223, Wayne Hammond and...
5 March 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to Ferris Greenslet
#2144


Wayne Hammond and Christina Scull note on their 'Addenda and Corrigenda to The J.R.R. Tolkien Companion and Guide Revised and Enlarged Edition (2017) Vo...
12 March 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to Houghton Mifflin Co.
#31
 Carpenter #27



Tolkien expresses reluctance to create drawings of hobbits and suggests leaving such tasks to someone with artistic skills. He provides a description of...
22 March 1938
B.S. Harvey to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2041


B.S. Harvey of the National Provincial Bank writes to Tolkien acknowledging payment of some cheques and as a post script asks Tolkien if he would mind s...
25 April 1938
Houghton Mifflin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1860


Houghton Mifflin, the American publisher of The Hobbit, notified Tolkien that he has won a $250 award for the best children's book published that Spring.
?26 April 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#2147


Tolkien forwards the cablegram he received from Houghton Mifflin notifying him of The Hobbit's win as best Children's Book for Spring.
29 April 1938
Stanley Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2148


Tolkien had sent a Cablegram from Houghton Mifflin to him onto GA&U and Stanley Unwin replies that they will that for publicity purposes. He also asks T...
3rd May, 1938
Stanley Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1989


Stanley writes a short cover letter to Tolkien explaining that Rayner has had little time (going to boarding school on this day), but has scribbled down...
13 May 1938
M. Williams to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2042


M. Williams, a former student at Oxford, now of the Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart, New York, writes to Tolkien offering memories of her tim...
17 May 1938
Houghton Mifflin Co. to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2152


Houghton Mifflin Co. send Tolkien a cheque for $250 for being awarded first prize in the New York Herald Tribune book awards. The Hobbit had won first p...
1 June 1938
Stanley Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1991


Stanley Unwin writes that Houghton Mifflin (the American publisher) reports having sold approximately 3000 copies of The Hobbit, and will re-announce it...
June 4th 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#32
 Carpenter #28



Tolkien thanks Stanley Unwin for the excellent news from America, where The Hobbit is selling well and it has won a prize of $250. Rayner's review of th...
6 June 1938
Francis P. Magoun to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2043


Francis P. Magoun of Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA writes to Tolkien in praise of The Hobbit. He notes his growing interest in Gothic. Magoun had visite...
22 July 1938
Rütten & Loening Verlag, Potsdam to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1981


A German publisher is interested in The Hobbit but needs Tolkien to confirm his Aryan descent before proceeding.
24 July 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth
#35
 Carpenter #31



Tolkien bemoans The Hobbit being published in 1937 over 1938. His work pressure has left him hard-pressed to get into actions on the sequel. Tolkien has...
25 July 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#33
 Carpenter #29



Tolkien wrote to Stanley Unwin in response to a letter from a German publisher, Rütten & Loening Verlag. They wanted to publish a German translation of...
25 July 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rütten & Loening Verlag
#34
 Carpenter #30



Rütten & Loening Verlag, the German publisher enquired about publishing a German translation of The Hobbit. As part of their conditions they wanted to ...
31 August 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth
#37
 Carpenter #33



Tolkien writes to Mr. Furth, expressing his current state of being oppressed and unwell due to recent troubles. He submits Farmer Giles for consideratio...
3 September 1938
C.A. Furth to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2162


In reply to Tolkien's letter, Furth sends an update on the matter of translations of The Hobbit. GA&U have not progressed with translations into French ...
4 September 1938
Catherine Lambert to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2045


Catherine Lambert, a writer from London writes to Tolkien on The Hobbit and mentions her own publications. This letter is held at the Bodleian Library a...
13 October 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#38
 Carpenter #34



In this letter to Stanley Unwin, J.R.R. Tolkien discusses his recent intense work on a sequel to The Hobbit, which has reached Chapter XI. He expresses ...

1947

5 May 1947
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#1412
 Carpenter #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 and he ...
20 September 1947
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.
#256
 Carpenter #110



Tolkien provides information about the origin and authorship of the riddles included in their work. He clarifies that most of the riddles are their orig...
26 September 1947
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jennifer Paxman
#128


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...
27 September 1947
Stanley Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2246


In response to Tolkien's letter from the prior week Unwin lets Tolkien know that the Hobbit corrections have been passed on to the production department...
30 September 1947
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rosemary
#129


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 November 1947
J.R.R. Tolkien to Katharine Farrer
#140
 Carpenter #112



Katharine Farrer had written to Tolkien, in runes, asking if he would sign her copy of The Hobbit. Tolkien replies to her letter in runes. He says that ...
15 December 1947
Katherine Farrer to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2048


Farrer replies to Tolkien, again in runes and says that she would welcome a key to the Dwarvish alphabet. This was written on a postcard that accompanie...
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