Wheelbarrows at Dawn

From Tolkien Gateway
Wheelbarrows at Dawn: Memories of Hilary Tolkien
Wheelbarrows at Dawn.jpg
AuthorAngela Gardner and Neil Holford
PublisherADC Art and Books
ReleasedMid November 2010 (intended date)
ISBN978-0955-19004-9 (standard)
978-0955-19005-6 (deluxe)

Wheelbarrows at Dawn: Memories of Hilary Tolkien was intended to be the biography of Hilary Tolkien, following the publication of Black & White Ogre Country: The Lost Tales of Hilary Tolkien. On 8 November 2010 it was announced that the publication of the book was cancelled, due to a legal dispute with the Tolkien Estate.[1]

On 8 October 2021, the publisher ADC Art and Books announced for sale five publisher proof copies. The publisher writes that the book: "Contains previously unseen material, letters photos etc. Origins of the father Christmas letters, lovely letters by Mabel and Arthur Tolkien shedding light on the early years. Years of research by the authors Angela Gardner and Neil Holford, shows another side of JRR Tolkien and the eider family. Rare collectors copies which will appeal to scholars and fans alike. As the book was never published only 20 in total publisher proofs were printed, 5 available now, previous copies used for corrections or held by the tolkien family. Publisher costs were around £20000 with research, design and proofing costs, then the book was revised at the request of the Tolkien Estate".[2]

From the publisher[edit | edit source]

The biography of Hilary Tolkien, brother to Ronald (JRR Tolkien). Sharing their formative years together and then heading into the trenches of The Great War, the book shows the correspondence between the Tolkien brothers and their wives during the war and since, with family photographs and letters. Though about Hilary, this books also sheds light on and brings new information to the world of JRR Tolkien - including the only known instance of a signed photograph by Ronald, and a recent discovery of an original JRRT drawing.[3]

External links[edit | edit source]

References

  1. Andrew Compton (of ADC Books), "Wheelbarrows at Dawn - memories of Hilary Tolkien - cancellation" (email announcement, 8 November 2010)
  2. ADC Art and Books, "(Facebook post)" dated 8 October 2021, Facebook (accessed 8 October 2021)
  3. ADCBooks.co.uk (accessed 29 June 2010)