Rare Group of JRR Tolkien Inscribed Books and Letters to Auction

Books and letters associated with J.R.R. Tolkien's friendship with fan Eileen Elgar come to the Books, Manuscripts & Music sale at Sotheby's on July 9.

They were inscribed for Elgar who started a correspondence with the author, and who received him when he visited her at home in Bournemouth, England, where he holidayed every year, even though Eileen’s deafness meant that conversation was tricky

The items are spread across five lots, with a total estimate of £39,000-£55,000, and comprise:

* a boldly signed set of The Lord of the Rings, together with a detailed autograph note in Tolkien's hand on the mythic creation of the race of dwarves that anticipates a passage inThe Silmarillion and asks Eileen whether she would "like a copy of [his] next book, which contains a short story called Leaf by Niggle (about an artist)"

* a signed hardback copy of Tree and Leaf with a heartfelt autograph note sending Eileen the abovementioned title as a “small gift with very best wishes”

* a group of The Hobbit (paperback) and The Lord of the Rings, signed by Tolkien’s for Eileen

* a signed presentation copy of The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, with autograph letters that mention the recent death of Tolkien's friend C.S. Lewis, thanks Eileen for her postcard from Barbados, and presents her with “the promised copy of my book of verses, with best wishes for Christmas”

* a typed letter signed to Eileen referencing Tolkien's ongoing struggle to compose The Silmarillion, and his hopes for a "long needed" foreign holiday with his wife on a cruise to Smyrna