J.R.R. Tolkien and Roger Verhulst — Correspondence Collection, 1966–1967

Four correspondence items, including three signed by Tolkien and one dictated by him and signed by his assistant, with related material.

The letters discuss a series of books on Christian authors that was published in the late 1960s; Charles Williams being one of those authors. Clyde S. Kilby’s book on Tolkien and the Silmarillion quotes from one of the letters because the letters provide insight into the Inklings group -- specifically Charles Williams.

These letters were also mentioned in W.H. Auden: A Legacy (2002 - David Izzo, editor) by Rod Jellema in an essay recounting W.H. Auden's withdrawal from his contract for writing a booklet on Tolkien in the Eerdmans series. The essay is titled "Auden on Tolkien: The Book that Isn't, and the House that Brought it Down."

This collection includes 4 Tolkien letters and two envelopes; a copy of the book which references the letter; two hand-written letters by Charles Williams’ wife; a photocopy of a Clyde Kilby letter which discusses these Tolkien letters; and a copy of the book “Letters: J.R.R. Tolkien.”

This correspondence documents the proposed book by W.H. Auden on J.R.R. Tolkien and has been discussed in several publications.

Letter 1:
TLS, three pages, 76 Sandfield Road, Oxford letterhead, 9th March, 1966. Signed by J.R.R. Tolkien. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope. In fine, clean condition.

We present a J.R.R. Tolkien autographed typed letter discussing a Charles Williams project on which the Eerdmans Publishing Co. was working. This letter includes a hand-written note by Tolkien at the bottom of the second page. This letter was cited by Clyde S. Kilby’s Tolkien & the Silmarillion and other publications like The J.R.R. Tolkien Companion and Guide by Christina Scull and Wayne Hammond.

Tolkien replies to Roger Verhulst at Eerdmans, with some remarks concerning his relationship with Charles Williams, apparently declining to comment on the proposed Charles Williams book. He explains that although he owes a debt of gratitude to Auden, he does not think that Auden knows him well enough to write a book about him.

Letter 2:

TLS, one page, 76 Sandfield Road, 8th April, 1966, dictated by Tolkien and signed by Phyllis M. Jenkinson (Tolkien's assistant).

In this letter Tolkien declines to participate in the Eerdmans’ book project. The letter also mentions the Charles Williams book project and Charles Williams’ wife. Tolkien talks about The Silmarillion, mentioning C.S. Lewis as one of the few people who had read parts of the manuscript and the mass of Tolkien's correspondence as the chief obstacle to its publication.


Letter 3:

Typed card, embossed 76 Sandfield Road stationery, 3rd May, 1966. Signed by J.R.R. Tolkien. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope. In fine, clean condition.

This card is a brief thank you note to the Eerdmans Publishing Co. for sending a book about Charles Williams to Tolkien.

Includes fine flowing Tolkien signature.

Letter 4:

TLS, one page, 76 Sandfield Road, Oxford letterhead, 4th December 1967, signed by J.R.R. Tolkien. In fine, clean condition.

This fourth item is a thank you note to Mr. Verhulst for two copies of "Letters to an American Lady", which he finds deeply interesting, and mentions that Tolkien is now recovering from an illness. Tolkien's signature is clear.

Also included in this lot are:
Clyde S. Kilby book referencing one of the letters from this collection.
A copy of Letters: J.R.R. Tolkien.
A copy of W.H. Auden: A Legacy edited by David Izzo.
A copy of a letter by Clyde Kilby that discusses the Tolkien letters in this collection.

Two handwritten, original letters by Florence Williams, the wife of Charles Williams (Tolkien discusses both Williams and Florence Williams in these Tolkien letters, and the 2 letters by Florence Williams discuss this same Williams project).

The correspondence shows folding creases, with edge wear to the blue air letter. The Kilby book's dust jacket shows wear.

A substantial Tolkien–Verhulst correspondence collection, bringing together three Tolkien signatures and related material on the Eerdmans publishing projects.
Digital photos available, inquire if interested.

Other Tolkien books available, include both the UK and US editions, original cloth bindings, custom fine bindings, and Signed/Numbered/Limited Editions.

Terms of sale: Prices are only indications, always inquire if books are still available. We accept Money Orders, cash, or Credit Cards (paypal) for immediate shipping.  Checks will delay shipment for 10 days for checks to clear. Please inquire for shipping quotes.
Interested: Please send email to info@tolkienlibrary.com.