The famous Galley Proof ‘snorter’ letter | 24th July 1953, original Tolkien letter to his publishers Allen & Unwin, typed, hand annotated & signed.
Typed, signed letter to Tolkien's publishers dated 24th July, 1953, regarding the galley proofs of Lord of The Rings and rebuking his publishers. 1page.
A very, very wonderful letter and so sought after given the references to Dwarves, The Hobbit and more.
One of the most sought-after Tolkien letters and now rather infamous. A disgruntled Tolkien is found in this letter to his publishers. After receiving the pre-publication Galley proofs of Lord of The Rings, the editors have updated the spelling throughout the book of particular words like Dwarves, Elven, Elvish. As we know, Tolkien was a fastidious student of languages and took great pains to consider the spellings of each word.
Tolkien starts saying the proofs were delivered to the wrong address in which Tolkien's son lived who was abroad but luckily Tolkien managed to retrieve the Galley Proofs (such a post error could have delayed publication of LOTR but thankfully didn't). There are very few errors in the prints, and Tolkien does not believe he will revise any text. He is, however, rather disgruntled that the printers have taken it upon themselves to 'correct' Tolkien's spellings (dwarves to dwarfs, elven to elfin, further to farther). The publishers later reply on the 24th of July stating that they are appalled that they have done this and will ensure that all costs of corrections will be met by them.
It is fascinating to think the printers and editors assumed Tolkien had made mistakes throughout in spelling and thought it best they update them. Tolkien was a genius in many ways but especially when connected with languages and spelling and one can only imagine his annoyance
Having taken great pains to use the form dwarves throughout the book, I take it hard to find that this has been gratuitously altered to dwarfs from the first page, with the danger of inconsistency now appearing, if I fail to spot every one of the troublesome emendations. I am well aware that dwarfs is the correct modern English plural of dwarf; but I intend to use dwarves for good reasons of my own (among them the fact this form was used throughout The Hobbit).
I take it harder that my elven and elven- should be replaced, though not consistently, by the detestable Spenserian elfin, which it was specifically designed to avoid. Elfish also appears for elvish.
I never voluntarily used, and do not intend (If I can avoid it) to be represented as using the form farther for the older further, and should be grateful if the further of my copy could be left alone, whatever the handbooks may say.
All the underlined above is underlined by Tolkien in his letter.
Tolkien in a later letter to his son Christopher describes this Galley Proof letter as having shot a "snorter" to Allen and Unwin which had produced a grovel in return from them.
Description and Condition:
Original Tolkien letter, 1 page, 4to, blind-stamped headed paper: 76 Sandfield Road, Headington, Oxford. Letter dated 22 July, 1953. Inscribed Jarrolds to the top and then the printers stamp surely to show this had been received and then filed dated 24 July 1953. In truly lovely condition with a stunning example of Tolkien’s elf like signature with the three dots underneath.
