If Beren can not (or will not) declare this a forgery, what is a mere mortal to think of it? The typewriter would not seem to matter. It would seem that JRRT (if this is genuine) was responding to correspondence typed up by a secretary at Allen&Unwin and made ready for his signature. But I have not ever seen that "T" (not that I have seen very many of his signatures) - Beren has many genuine ones in his collection, what thinkest thou?) and the color of the ink would make me think twice. What the TCG needs is a handwriting expert on staff. Jeremy, when you're not too busy, could you dig one up? 
In my humble opinion, here's my thoughts on this auction.
- The seller has a pretty good reputation.
- The letter is quite likely real (hard to tell, not being able to see the paper itself to tell if it is 35 years old).
- As Parmastahir mentions, this was likely typed up by a secretary, especially given the late date (Tolkien wasn't up to doing all of these sorts of short notes himself in later years.)
- It is quite possible that the signature was done by a secretary as well (ghost signature) as the intended recipient would only care that the thought came from JRRT, not a collectible signature.
- All handwriting experts who happen by please sign up to be a resident expert.
- The seller has a pretty good reputation.
- The letter is quite likely real (hard to tell, not being able to see the paper itself to tell if it is 35 years old).
- As Parmastahir mentions, this was likely typed up by a secretary, especially given the late date (Tolkien wasn't up to doing all of these sorts of short notes himself in later years.)
- It is quite possible that the signature was done by a secretary as well (ghost signature) as the intended recipient would only care that the thought came from JRRT, not a collectible signature.
- All handwriting experts who happen by please sign up to be a resident expert.
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