Letter to Ken Jackson concerning a production of The Hobbit | Jan 4th 1968, original Tolkien letter, handwritten and signed.


£15,000.00 GBP

A fine handwritten and signed letter to Ken Jackson, technical director of Humphrey Carpenter's musical adaptation of The Hobbit. 1 ½ pages.

An adaptation of The Hobbit, dramatised and produced by Humphrey Carpenter, was staged by New College Choir School in the late 1960s. Tolkien provided autographs for the actors but neglected the technical crew.

Tolkien offers to send some 'stick-in autographs" to Mr Jackson, technical director of Humphrey Carpenter's musical adaptation of The Hobbit at the end of 1967, who was "left out" of an autographing session Tolkien. The author then apologises to "the back-room boys of the drama" noting their "necessary, indeed very important, functions". He explains that his eldest son, John Tolkien jnr, “used to perform the same functions at his school". Tolkien also signed copies of the programme for the performance for Mr. Jackson and the children.

Description & Condition:

Original Tolkien letter, hand-written, 1 ½  page letter dated Jan 4, 1968, on blind stamped headed paper: 76 Sandfield Road, Headington, Oxford. The letter is in fine condition with a fold across the middle and suffers from no foxing or damage. Eloquently written and signed by JRR Tolkien with the characteristic 3 dots and underscore.