Letter 354

The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien
Letter 354
Recipient	Priscilla Tolkien
Date	29 August 1973
Subject(s)	Vacation

Letter 354 is a letter written by J.R.R. Tolkien and published in The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien.

Summary

Tolkien tells Priscilla that he arrived in Bournemouth safely, but he found he lost his bank card when he reached the Miramar Hotel. While Dr. Martin Tolhurst, a friend of Tolkien's, was searching for his wallet, the Miramar canceled his reservation, and made him a new one, from September 4th to September 11th. He would stay with the Tolhursts for the time being, and was looking forward to the extended holiday. He would like to visit Christopher Wiseman, who was in Milford at the time. Tolhurst found the wallet; Tolkien had left it at The Red Lion in Salisbury.

Notes

• Though Tolkien accepted the offer of the Miramar Hotel, he did not use it as he planned to stay there from 4 September. Nor did he visit Christopher Wiseman. John Ronald Reuel Tolkien died on 2 September, 1973, in a private hospital.
• Tolkien travelled to Bournemouth with a private driver, Mr. Causier. Since they stopped in Salisbury, they probably drove the A420 and the A338.
• It is not specified in which Milford Wiseman was, but presumably it was Milford on Sea, the closest town called Milford.
• This is the final letter included in The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien. Tolkien passed away just a few days later on 2 September. It is likely this is the last letter he wrote.