By Njen
Heritage Auction Tree and Leaf
15 November
(edited)
2024-11-15 5:46:03 AM UTC
2024-11-15 5:46:03 AM UTC
Heritage Auctions - Sale ends December 11, 2024
Lot 45343
Letter link: Letter from J.R.R. Tolkien to Elizabeth Jennings • June? 1964 (#2368)
Estimate not posted
https://historical.ha.com/itm/books/li ... e-and-leaf/a/6300-45343.s
Lot 45343
Letter link: Letter from J.R.R. Tolkien to Elizabeth Jennings • June? 1964 (#2368)
J. R. R. Tolkien. Tree and Leaf. London: George Allen & Unwin LTD, [1964].
8vo. Publisher's dark green textured cloth, spine stamped in gilt; original dust jacket; quarter morocco folding case.
FIRST EDITION, hardcover copy. PRESENTATION COPY, WITH AN AUTOGRAPH NOTE NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR laid-in: "Dear Elizabeth, Very best wishes. I hope you have some cheer at Christmas. Remember me to C. D. L. I believe I have only once met him and wish it were more often. Yours ever affectionately, Ronald."
The recipient, Elizabeth Joan Jennings (1926-2001), was the daughter of Dr. Henry Cecil Jennings, a close friend of Tolkien beginning during their undergraduate days at Oxford. She was the younger sister of Aileen Jennings, generally held to be the only child ("a girl of 12-13") who read The Hobbit before Mr. Unwin "tried it out." Elizabeth was a notable English poet, the only female member of The Movement, and was awarded the CBE from Queen Elizabeth II in 1992.
"C. D. L." refers to Cecil Day-Lewis (1904-1972), Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom from 1968 until his death in 1972. Jennings and Day-Lewis were great friends.
Condition: Dust jacket unclipped (priced "10s. 6d. net"); spine panel lightly sunned; a few small spots of soiling; occasional light foxing; small tape repair to front flap fold on recto; minor edgewear.
References: Hammond & Anderson A7b.
Provenance: Elizabeth [Jennings] (presentation inscription and ink ownership inscription); acquired from House of Books, Ltd., New York. From the William A. Strutz Library.
Estimate not posted
https://historical.ha.com/itm/books/li ... e-and-leaf/a/6300-45343.s