Letter to Humphrey Carpenter
Humphrey Carpenter 21 March 1967 is a letter from J.R.R. Tolkien to Humphrey Carpenter, written on 21 March 1967.[1][2]
- Subject: Reply to request for permission for Carpenter and Paul Drayton to render The Hobbit into a children's musical play.
- Publication: A description of the letter was published in The J.R.R. Tolkien Companion and Guide: Chronology (pp. 687-8).
Transcription
Dear Mr. Carpenter,
You may certainly have my permission to use my book The Hobbit as a basis for a children's play. My publishers are, of course, also concerned in all forms of reproduction, but normally no objection is raised when only a limited non-commercial performance is in view. With regard to the setting of verses as songs, I am not sure what the position is. If this is intended to lead to publication, both my publishers and the Performing Rights Society (of which I am now a Member) would have to be consulted.
It is a long time since we met and I should be delighted to see you again. Unfortunately I am very busy at the present and am going away on April 1st, so that I am afraid I shan’t be able to arrange a meeting until the end of that month. Perhaps you could get in touch with me then and see what could be done. Please thank you[r] mother for her good wishes and kind regards, which we heartily return.
With best wishes to yourself,
Yours sincerely,
J.R.R. Tolkien.
References
- ↑ Christina Scull and Wayne G. Hammond (2006), The J.R.R. Tolkien Companion and Guide: I. Chronology, pp. 687-8
- ↑ Christina Scull and Wayne G. Hammond, "Addenda and Corrigenda to The J.R.R. Tolkien Companion and Guide (2006) Vol. 1: Chronology", Hammond&Scull.com (accessed 19 July 2012)