Letters to J.R. Kennard for Auction

TOLKIEN, (J. R. R.). Autograph Letter Signed, entirely handwritten in black ink on two sides of personal stationery (76 Sandfield Road), the paper bearing manufacturer's watermark (Basildon Bond), being a reply to fan mail from the librarian at The University of Sussex:

"C/O Messrs. Allen & Unwin (now my only address for correspondence) [Tolkien has crossed through his own address and telephone number] Dear Miss Kennard, The publication of 'The Silmarillion' and other matter has been delayed by the impact of other business, the immense weight of my correspondence, and the rapidly increasing invasions of my privacy. I have been driven to leave Oxford and am in (I hope) retirement. But during my removal I suffered an accident which crippled me and kept me many weeks in hospital. I am not yet mended, and I am not recovered in health, and I fear it will be some time before I can return to 'The Silmarillion'. At best it could not possibly appear or begin to appear in parts before the end of 1969. With best wishes, Yours sincerely, J. R. R. Tolkien." [1968]

Together with an accompanying Typed Letter Signed by Margaret Joy Hill [secretary assigned by Rayner Unwin to deal with Tolkien's fan mail], on publisher's letterhead, 15 October 1968:

"Dear Mrs Kennard, Thank you for your letter of the 11th October. We do have a contract with Professor Tolkien for The Silmarillion but we regret that we cannot predict a publication date until the final typescript is handed to us. We will make a note of your name and address to see you are informed when we do have such a date. Yours sincerely, for George Allen and Unwin Ltd, M. Joy Hill."

Very well-preserved, bold and bright, fold-lines as sent. The two letters (having been posted together) are housed in their original envelope, some personal details erased/obscured, postmarked Battersea, 20 October 1968

❧ An important letter in Tolkien's distinctive hand. A generous response to a fan eagerly anticipating The Silmarillion, which would eventually be edited and published posthumously by Tolkien's son Christopher in 1977. The correspondence captures the climate under which Tolkien was fleeing his fame in Oxford for more privacy; Tolkien fandom was becoming a distinct subculture driven by the hippie and anti-war movements in the United States, something the author termed "my deplorable cultus". These letters, dated 15 October 1968, were composed at the very time Margaret Joy Hill was helping Tolkien to set up his new office and library in Poole. Hill and Tolkien worked through boxes of presents, fan mail, artwork, psychedelic envelopes, recordings, and other gifts sent by fans from around the world. Tolkien was so grateful for Hill's support that he rewarded her with Bilbo's Last Song (at the Grey Havens), including all publishing rights

Provenance: By descent of J. R. Kennard, recipient of the letters