70 Years of The Lord of the Rings
As seen in The Telegraph, Country Life and The Antiques Trade Gazette
What did Tolkien think of Sherlock Holmes? Well, now we know!
To mark the 70th anniversary of the first book in The Lord of the Rings being published, Bayliss Rare Books are delighted to share a major collection of rare original letters written by JRR Tolkien, alongside fine first editions of both The Hobbit and all books in The Lord of the Rings series. This is the one of the finest collections to come to market in decades.
The letters reveal the inner workings of Tolkien’s’ mind, his theories on languages, his previously unknown (until now) views on another Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes (he wasn’t a fan of either it seems which is major as this has never been known before), the publishing history of The Lord of the Rings, the correct spelling of Dwarves and more alongside further fascinating insights including where the name of both Bilbo and Frodo’s house, Bag-End came from.
Oliver Bayliss, Owner & Founder of Bayliss Rare Books says: The last time such a major cache of Tolkien material came to market was over twenty years ago. This is a singularly important collection and to launch it on the 70th anniversary of the first The Lord of the Rings book is a wonderful way to mark such a monumental milestone.
All the letters are nothing short of fascinating but the one that really blows me away is the one in which Tolkien, delving into his theories on language, brings Sherlock Holmes, Mycroft and their creator Arthur Conan Doyle into his arguments.
To have one of the most important English writers discussing another in such an honest and frank manner is incredibly rare and sought after. To have the former then reference the latter’s iconic literary creation is next level. But then, Tolkien puts both the creations of Conan Doyle and that of the writer himself down! One couldn’t ask for a more interesting letter and as far as I know, this is the only such letter to. What did Tolkien think of Sherlock Holmes? Well, now we know!
