Beschreibung:

TOLKIEN, John Ronald Reuel (1892-1973). The Lord of the Rings . London: Jarrold and Sons for George Allen and Unwin, 1966-1967. 3 volumes, 8° (220 x 142mm). 3 folding maps printed in red and black. (Occasional light browning, light dampstaining in vol. III.). Original red cloth, spines gilt, dustwrappers (dustwrappers lightly marked and rubbed and chipped at extremities). Second edition of vol. I, second edition, second impression of vols II-III. VOLUME I SIGNED 'J.R.R. TOLKIEN' AND INSCRIBED IN ELVISH, with a loosely-inserted slip of paper with a further inscription by Tolkien in Elvish. TOLKIEN, J.R.R. Autograph letter signed ('J.R.R. Tolkien') to Leslie Megahey, Hotel Miramar, East Overcliff, Bournemouth, 20 February 1968, 8°, one page, autograph envelope -- Autograph note in black, blue, red, and green ink, giving samples of Elvish script with translations and notes on the orthography of Elvish. A SIGNED SET OF LORD OF THE RINGS WITH A LETTER FROM TOLKIEN AND EXAMPLES OF ELVISH SCRIPT. In early 1968 the BBC made a documentary about Tolkien and his work, directed by Leslie Megahey, which was broadcast on 30 March 1968 (a copy of the Radio Times listing advertising the programme is included in the lot). For the opening credits, it was intended to use examples of Elvish script and Megahey wrote to Tolkien requesting a transcription of the programme's title 'Tolkien in Oxford' for the graphic designer to use as a template (a retained copy of Megahey's letter is included in the lot). Tolkien replied on 20 February that he had not the necessary writing materials to create the title properly but that 'the Swann-Tolkien Songbook' could be used as a pattern to follow; however, he also enclosed the note bearing a transcription of the title into Elvish and below it a translation of the title into Elvish; both of these calligraphic titles are glossed by the author (the transliteration is described as 'not ... very decorative') and notes on the use of Elvish vowel signs are given below. (6)