Eucatastrophe wrote:

Oh dear...

I noticed another misleading transcription, too. They have 'the best way of doing hobbits is to make them absolutely ordinary human beings (except for a neat goatee or buskin of hair)', which made me do a huge double take at the word goatee. But it looks to me like the letter actually reads 'except for a neat gaiter or buskin of hair', i.e. on their lower legs/ankles and feet.

I think you are right, the last letter is an 'r' so it cannot be goatee, gaiter looks a better fit to me.

Thanks for clarifying! Something seemed off. I was having great difficulty reimagining Bilbo with a goatee.

I am so happy I always check back with TCG when such an auction comes up

It apparently sold for €15,500

Trotter wrote:

Eucatastrophe wrote:

Oh dear...

I noticed another misleading transcription, too. They have 'the best way of doing hobbits is to make them absolutely ordinary human beings (except for a neat goatee or buskin of hair)', which made me do a huge double take at the word goatee. But it looks to me like the letter actually reads 'except for a neat gaiter or buskin of hair', i.e. on their lower legs/ankles and feet.

I think you are right, the last letter is an 'r' so it cannot be goatee, gaiter looks a better fit to me.

I transcribed that for my letters comp as 'garden'. Do Hobbits wear gaiters? They seldom wear shoes

onthetrail wrote:

I transcribed that for my letters comp as 'garden'. Do Hobbits wear gaiters? They seldom wear shoes

Pretty sure you're just joking (so apologies if I'm being pedantic), but here gaiters = buskins = a covering for the lower legs/ankles/tops of feet (in this case the covering is hobbit foot-hair).

Eucatastrophe wrote:

onthetrail wrote:

I transcribed that for my letters comp as 'garden'. Do Hobbits wear gaiters? They seldom wear shoes

Pretty sure you're just joking (so apologies if I'm being pedantic), but here gaiters = buskins = a covering for the lower legs/ankles/tops of feet (in this case the covering is hobbit foot-hair).

Oh trust me, I am laughing at MEEEE

onthetrail wrote:

Trotter wrote:

Eucatastrophe wrote:

Oh dear...

I noticed another misleading transcription, too. They have 'the best way of doing hobbits is to make them absolutely ordinary human beings (except for a neat goatee or buskin of hair)', which made me do a huge double take at the word goatee. But it looks to me like the letter actually reads 'except for a neat gaiter or buskin of hair', i.e. on their lower legs/ankles and feet.

I think you are right, the last letter is an 'r' so it cannot be goatee, gaiter looks a better fit to me.

I transcribed that for my letters comp as 'garden'. Do Hobbits wear gaiters? They seldom wear shoes

Now I won't be able to stop thinking of Hobbits as walking around with gardens growing out of their hairy buskins. You have ruined Tolkien for me. Thanks very much! Bah.

Stu wrote:

onthetrail wrote:

Trotter wrote:

Eucatastrophe wrote:

Oh dear...

I noticed another misleading transcription, too. They have 'the best way of doing hobbits is to make them absolutely ordinary human beings (except for a neat goatee or buskin of hair)', which made me do a huge double take at the word goatee. But it looks to me like the letter actually reads 'except for a neat gaiter or buskin of hair', i.e. on their lower legs/ankles and feet.

I think you are right, the last letter is an 'r' so it cannot be goatee, gaiter looks a better fit to me.

I transcribed that for my letters comp as 'garden'. Do Hobbits wear gaiters? They seldom wear shoes

Now I won't be able to stop thinking of Hobbits as walking around with gardens growing out of their hairy buskins. You have ruined Tolkien for me. Thanks very much! Bah.

Urulókë wrote:

garm wrote:

quote:

''I have been neglectful, I fear, but I am a dreadfully married man, having a v. full-time job...''

Harried. ''I am a dreadfully _harried_ man...''

That's hilarious. 🤣

The "dreadfully married(sic) man" letter is up for Auction again with the same mistakes in the transcription as before, "married" and "goatee".

https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auc ... utm_content=lot-view-link

A-Grade: https://www.tolkienguide.com/modules/n ... ewtopic.php?topic_id=4276

Expect a Daily Mail exclusive that Hobbits had Goatees and that this was inspired by Tolkien's Proof Reader Charles Dodgson