Letter to Jane Neave (22 September 1937)
On 22 September 1937, J.R.R. Tolkien wrote a letter to Jane Neave.[1]
- Subject: Tolkien intends to send her a copy of The Hobbit. Personal greetings.
- Publication: The letter first appeared in an episode of the BBC's Antiques Roadshow.[2] The opening was reproduced as a picture in Sotheby's English Literature, History, Fine Bindings, Private Press Books, Children's Books, Illustrated Books and Drawings 10 July 2003.[3] A short summary of the letter is included in The J.R.R. Tolkien Companion and Guide.
Transcription
Sept 22. 1937
My dearest Jane
Here's a copy of my little book which I send you with much love; I hope it will amuse you. It arrived yesterday, and is now at last 'published'. We are all so much looking forward to your coming again this winter. It was not like Christmas without you. I have bought another second-hand car partly with money already brought in by "The Hobbit". It is quieter, quicker, and very much steadier and less bumpy, so [?now] I think I shall come and fetch you this time, and bring you safe and unshaken direct from door to door.
I hope you are better,
Your lovingRonald.
History
Tolkien temporarily lost the letter and ended up sending his aunt Jane another copy of The Hobbit with another letter dated October 6. He eventually found the original letter and kept it in his collection.[4] The letter was stuck to the front page of the book with tape and was passed on to Simon Tolkien after Tolkien's death.[2] The book was featured in an episode of Antiques Roadshow aired in 1990 (series 12 or 13), brought by Simon's wife Tracy Steinberg.[2] The book was afterwards sold together with the letter in 2003. [5] [6]
See also
External links
- A super rare copy of The Hobbit! | Antiques Roadshow | BBC Studios on YouTube
- Most Expensive Book Ever On Antiques Roadshow ❦ The Hobbit (1937) by Tom Ayling on YouTube
References
- ↑ Christina Scull and Wayne G. Hammond (2006), The J.R.R. Tolkien Companion and Guide: I. Chronology, p. 201
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 A super rare copy of The Hobbit! | Antiques Roadshow | BBC Studios at YouTube (accessed 16 December 2022)
- ↑ "English Literature and History. 2003", TolkienBooks.net (accessed 23 January 2012)
- ↑ Christina Scull and Wayne G. Hammond (2017), The J.R.R. Tolkien Companion and Guide: I. Chronology, p. 205-6
- ↑ Sotheby's English Literature, History, Fine Bindings, Private Press Books, Children's Books, Illustrated Books and Drawings 10 July 2003
- ↑ The Hobbit reaches £40,000 at Sotheby's on antiquetradegazette.com (accessed 7 April 2024)
