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Senseless Vandalism

11 Nov, 2025 (edited)
2025-11-11 1:01:05 PM UTC

Oh how I hope this isn’t what it purports to be….

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“Offered in extremely limited quantity – genuine handwriting from legendary "Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" author J. R. R. Tolkien, authenticated and encapsulated by (BAS) Beckett Authentication Services. Each handwritten word was carefully removed from a handwritten letter Tolkien wrote in September, 1968.

You will not receive a copy of the letter from Tolkien, the 4th image is shown purely to illustrate where the words came from. You will only receive the BAS encapsulated handwriting, "and", encapsulate #00018690835. The slab measures 3.25 inches by 5 inches….

Each encapsulated word was individually removed from a September 25, 1968 letter written by Tolkien from Oxford to Messrs Maple & Co. of Bournemouth concerning household furnishings and payments.

Genuine Tolkien autograph letters are exceptionally scarce and can fetch thousands of dollars. This encapsulated word offers a rare and affordable opportunity to own an authentic piece of Tolkien’s handwriting.

The cost of authenticating a single word of Tolkien’s handwriting is $100 on Beckett’s website.”*

*(Boy, have I ever missed a lucrative career opportunity …)

The letter pictured: Letter from J.R.R. Tolkien to Maple & Co, Bournemouth • 25 September 1968 (#737)


247_69133389c0f0e.jpeg 837X1279 px
11 Nov, 2025
2025-11-11 1:23:18 PM UTC
This is a deplorable act.

I would ask any members to not buy this item, or any other part of the cut up letter, as that encourages the seller to do this to more items.

I have added a link to Letter from J.R.R. Tolkien to Maple & Co, Bournemouth • 25 September 1968 (#737) to reference Aelfwine's post.
11 Nov, 2025
2025-11-11 1:55:42 PM UTC
Oh my, this makes me mad! "Senseless vandalism" is being kind I feel. This is hideous.
11 Nov, 2025
2025-11-11 2:03:39 PM UTC
Horrible gesture. I hope nobody will buy these
11 Nov, 2025
2025-11-11 2:07:18 PM UTC
They misspelled his name on their little plaque

"John Ronald Reue Tolkien"
11 Nov, 2025
2025-11-11 2:10:20 PM UTC

Mr. Underhill wrote:

They misspelled his name on their little plaque

"John Ronald Reue Tolkien"

I assume if they had used an appraiser who charged $1,000 per word, they would have got that correct.
11 Nov, 2025
2025-11-11 2:11:36 PM UTC
Is that also one of Tolkien's draft maps used as the border?
11 Nov, 2025 (edited)
2025-11-11 2:17:13 PM UTC
utterly distastefull and disgusting. they have another 58 items of the same type :(
11 Nov, 2025 (edited)
2025-11-11 4:39:06 PM UTC
I don't understand some people... What an innovative entrepreneur this is. Buy a letter, re-sell in pieces.

I'll avoid even clicking the link to try to minimize attention from additional web traffic.

Has anyone logged in to see what Beckett offers? I understand their verification of sports signatures and maybe even a Tolkien signature, but to authenticate single words from a letter? Ridiculous! Is it worth contacting Beckett to decrease such future items? I understand their interest in expanding a business but this can't be good for their reputation.
11 Nov, 2025
2025-11-11 6:26:07 PM UTC
Authentication services are the scammiest businesses out there. Might have been a real letter, equally, might not.
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