Letter to Elsie Honeybourne (21 December 1967): Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Elsie Honeybourne 21 December 1967.png|thumb]] | [[Image:Elsie Honeybourne 21 December 1967.png|thumb]] | ||
On [[21 December]] [[1967]], [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] wrote '''[[Letters not published in | On [[21 December]] [[1967]], [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] wrote '''[[Letters not published in The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien|a letter]] to Elsie Honeybourne'''.<ref>[[Wayne G. Hammond]] and [[Christina Scull]], "[http://www.hammondandscull.com/addenda/chronology.html Addenda and Corrigenda to The J.R.R. Tolkien Companion and Guide (2006) Vol. 1: Chronology]" at [http://www.hammondandscull.com/index.html HammondandScull.com] (accessed 22 October 2011)</ref> | ||
*'''Subject''': Reply to letter of appreciation, discussion of the name ''Honeybourne'', comments on certain passages in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''.<ref name=Bloom>[http://www.bloomsburyauctions.com/detail/614/494.0 Lot 494] at [http://www.bloomsburyauctions.com/ Bloomsburyauctions.com] (accessed 29 November 2011)</ref> | *'''Subject''': Reply to letter of appreciation, discussion of the name ''Honeybourne'', comments on certain passages in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''.<ref name=Bloom>[http://www.bloomsburyauctions.com/detail/614/494.0 Lot 494] at [http://www.bloomsburyauctions.com/ Bloomsburyauctions.com] (accessed 29 November 2011)</ref> | ||
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“Thank you so much for writing such kind and appreciative letters, brevity is not necessarily a virtue. I am interested in what you say of your name. I think it still probable that your father’s name nonetheless comes from near Evesham. It must be derived from a place-name; and though -Bourne (stream) is widespread in England, and occurs in Kentish names, Honeybourne is found only in Cow H. and Church H. near Evesham. There was a considerable movement and interchange between Kent and Worcestershire, largely because of the industries of fruit-growing. I shall certainly put Honeybourne on the Shire Map as soon as an opportunity of revision (much needed) occurs. I was deeply interested in your choice of passages, and quite agree about Pippin’s ride. An easing of tension was needed at the end of the ‘Book’ (but of course provided instinctively and not by planning). To ride with Gandalf must have been like being borne by a Guardian Angel, with stern gentleness a most comforting combination to children (as we all are). | “Thank you so much for writing such kind and appreciative letters, brevity is not necessarily a virtue. I am interested in what you say of your name. I think it still probable that your father’s name nonetheless comes from near Evesham. It must be derived from a place-name; and though -Bourne (stream) is widespread in England, and occurs in Kentish names, Honeybourne is found only in Cow H. and Church H. near Evesham. There was a considerable movement and interchange between Kent and Worcestershire, largely because of the industries of fruit-growing. I shall certainly put Honeybourne on the Shire Map as soon as an opportunity of revision (much needed) occurs. I was deeply interested in your choice of passages, and quite agree about Pippin’s ride. An easing of tension was needed at the end of the ‘Book’ (but of course provided instinctively and not by planning). To ride with Gandalf must have been like being borne by a Guardian Angel, with stern gentleness a most comforting combination to children (as we all are). | ||
I am sending you a copy of my recently published story. Not addressed to children ( | I am sending you a copy of my recently published story. Not (of course) addressed to children (reckoned by age). An old man’s tale, mainly concerned with ‘retirement’ and bereavement.” | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Latest revision as of 08:31, 18 March 2024
On 21 December 1967, J.R.R. Tolkien wrote a letter to Elsie Honeybourne.[1]
- Subject: Reply to letter of appreciation, discussion of the name Honeybourne, comments on certain passages in The Lord of the Rings.[2]
- Publication: A description and photograph of the letter was included in Bloomsbury Modern First Editions, Manuscripts and Autograph Letters, English and Continental Literature and History 24 May 2007.[3]
- Description: One page both sides, 5.25 x 7, personal letterhead.[4]
Content[edit | edit source]
“Thank you so much for writing such kind and appreciative letters, brevity is not necessarily a virtue. I am interested in what you say of your name. I think it still probable that your father’s name nonetheless comes from near Evesham. It must be derived from a place-name; and though -Bourne (stream) is widespread in England, and occurs in Kentish names, Honeybourne is found only in Cow H. and Church H. near Evesham. There was a considerable movement and interchange between Kent and Worcestershire, largely because of the industries of fruit-growing. I shall certainly put Honeybourne on the Shire Map as soon as an opportunity of revision (much needed) occurs. I was deeply interested in your choice of passages, and quite agree about Pippin’s ride. An easing of tension was needed at the end of the ‘Book’ (but of course provided instinctively and not by planning). To ride with Gandalf must have been like being borne by a Guardian Angel, with stern gentleness a most comforting combination to children (as we all are).
I am sending you a copy of my recently published story. Not (of course) addressed to children (reckoned by age). An old man’s tale, mainly concerned with ‘retirement’ and bereavement.”
See also[edit | edit source]
References
- ↑ Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull, "Addenda and Corrigenda to The J.R.R. Tolkien Companion and Guide (2006) Vol. 1: Chronology" at HammondandScull.com (accessed 22 October 2011)
- ↑ Lot 494 at Bloomsburyauctions.com (accessed 29 November 2011)
- ↑ Modern First Editions. 2007 at TolkienBooks.net (accessed 29 November 2011)
- ↑ Item 519 - J.R.R. Tolkien Catalog 326 (Oct 2007) at RR Auction (accessed 22 October 2011)
