Can't afford to buy this, but I'll hopefully be able to go and have a look at it on Tuesday.
My copies also looked the same as these, sadly that was in 1963 not 2010
My copies also looked the same as these, sadly that was in 1963 not 2010
5 Jul, 2010
(edited)
2010-7-5 4:58:03 AM UTC
Edited by Trotter on 2010-7-5 5:19:10 AM UTC
Edited by Trotter on 2010-7-5 5:25:18 AM UTC
Edited by Trotter on 2010-7-5 5:25:18 AM UTC
2010-7-5 4:58:03 AM UTC
I think we may have seen this one before but I'm unsure about the letter for two reasons
1 - That it is not on headed paper, (GA&U had fairly elaborate headed paper at this time which I'm sure would have been used for correspondence of this nature), or is this an example that was only used for Professor Tolkien's correspondence.
2 - I have never seen Tolkien sign his initials like this before.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RARE-TOLKIEN-LE ... ks_UK&hash=item255bb2a674
On the other hand Tolkien must have known Brian Miller as you can see from his obituary here, which gives it some provenance.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obi ... /brian-miller-728943.html
1 - That it is not on headed paper, (GA&U had fairly elaborate headed paper at this time which I'm sure would have been used for correspondence of this nature), or is this an example that was only used for Professor Tolkien's correspondence.
2 - I have never seen Tolkien sign his initials like this before.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RARE-TOLKIEN-LE ... ks_UK&hash=item255bb2a674
On the other hand Tolkien must have known Brian Miller as you can see from his obituary here, which gives it some provenance.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obi ... /brian-miller-728943.html
I don't know any more about the notepaper (or the sig) than you do, Trotter. But my gut feeling is that this item is 'right'.
I've had correspondence with the vendor before, years ago. I think he's sound. As far as I can see, someone paid a fair price for a nice little associate item. (still a little rich for my blood at the moment, though).
I've had correspondence with the vendor before, years ago. I think he's sound. As far as I can see, someone paid a fair price for a nice little associate item. (still a little rich for my blood at the moment, though).
Tolkien was supplied this letterhead by Allen & Unwin, so that his correspondence would be channeled through them and he could keep his home address private. We've seen examples before. Also, the font matches that of Tolkien's usual typewriter of the period (but the deep indents suggest secretarial typing), and although the form of initials is unusual, we have no doubt that the handwriting is Tolkien's.
B.D.H. Miller was one of Tolkien's B.Litt. students, 1952-1956, working on the Middle English fabliau Dame Sirith - see Chronology, first reference p. 382, last p. 486.
Wayne & Christina
B.D.H. Miller was one of Tolkien's B.Litt. students, 1952-1956, working on the Middle English fabliau Dame Sirith - see Chronology, first reference p. 382, last p. 486.
Wayne & Christina
5 Jul, 2010
(edited)
2010-7-5 5:41:39 PM UTC
Edited by Trotter on 2010-7-5 6:16:20 PM UTC
Edited by Trotter on 2010-7-5 6:21:48 PM UTC
Edited by Trotter on 2010-7-5 6:22:23 PM UTC
Edited by Trotter on 2010-7-5 6:27:12 PM UTC
Edited by Trotter on 2010-7-5 6:34:21 PM UTC
Edited by Trotter on 2010-7-5 6:42:25 PM UTC
Edited by Trotter on 2010-7-5 6:21:48 PM UTC
Edited by Trotter on 2010-7-5 6:22:23 PM UTC
Edited by Trotter on 2010-7-5 6:27:12 PM UTC
Edited by Trotter on 2010-7-5 6:34:21 PM UTC
Edited by Trotter on 2010-7-5 6:42:25 PM UTC
2010-7-5 5:41:39 PM UTC
Thanks for your invaluable comments garm and Wayne & Christina.
I decided myself that my doubts were wrong and I bought the item
Dame Sirith is in Middle English (1275-1300) and I can recommend that you consult A Middle English (Glossary or Vocabulary) by J.R.R. Tolkien when reading it.
http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=UH ... e&q=Dame%20Sirith&f=false
I decided myself that my doubts were wrong and I bought the item
Dame Sirith is in Middle English (1275-1300) and I can recommend that you consult A Middle English (Glossary or Vocabulary) by J.R.R. Tolkien when reading it.
http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=UH ... e&q=Dame%20Sirith&f=false
Cool item, Trotter.
I'd have to agree with Garm: (still a little rich for my blood at the moment, though).
I'd have to agree with Garm: (still a little rich for my blood at the moment, though).
Ah, so you bought it, Trotter? And went with your instincts; well done!
I like this piece - I've not seen many of Tolkien's letters, so the salutation 'My dear Brian' - is new to me. I'm reminded of a letter to Rayner Unwin in which Tolkien comments that he was of a generation which used last names almost exclusively. Same with the signing off; 'yours ever' - a sign of a relaxation of formality in Tolkien's later years?
And I _love_ the sig. Never seen one quite like that before, with the dots almost forming a face; and the colour is very attractive, too. A nice piece!
I like this piece - I've not seen many of Tolkien's letters, so the salutation 'My dear Brian' - is new to me. I'm reminded of a letter to Rayner Unwin in which Tolkien comments that he was of a generation which used last names almost exclusively. Same with the signing off; 'yours ever' - a sign of a relaxation of formality in Tolkien's later years?
And I _love_ the sig. Never seen one quite like that before, with the dots almost forming a face; and the colour is very attractive, too. A nice piece!
Heavens! Don't want to think what you paid Trotter --way, way out of my league. Maybe I should buy you a drink in Moreton...
BH
BH