Letter to Jane Neave (22 September 1937)

From Tolkien Gateway
Screenshot from the Antiques Roadshow episode showing the full letter

On 22 September 1937, J.R.R. Tolkien wrote a letter to Jane Neave.[1]

Transcription[edit | edit source]

Sept 22. 1937

My dearest Jane
Here's a copy of my little book which I send you with much love; I hope it will amuse you. It arrived yesterday, and is now at last 'published'. We are all so much looking forward to your coming again this winter. It was not like Christmas without you. I have bought another second-hand car partly with money already brought in by "The Hobbit". It is quieter, quicker, and very much steadier and less bumpy, so [?now] I think I shall come and fetch you this time, and bring you safe and unshaken direct from door to door.
I hope you are better,
Your loving

Ronald.

History[edit | edit source]

Tolkien temporarily lost the letter and ended up sending his aunt Jane another copy of The Hobbit with another letter dated October 6. He eventually found the original letter and kept it in his collection.[4] The letter was stuck to the front page of the book with tape and it was passed on to Simon Tolkien after Tolkien's death.[3] The book was featured in an episode of Antiques Roadshow aired in 1990 (series 12 or 13), brought by Simon's wife Tracy Steinberg.[3] It was valued at £3500.

See also[edit | edit source]

External Link[edit | edit source]

A super rare copy of The Hobbit! | Antiques Roadshow | BBC Studios on YouTube

References