LOT #47182 |
Sold on Sep 25, 2024 for: Sign-in
or Join (free & quick)
J.R.R. Tolkien Typed Letter Signed....
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
Sold on Sep 25, 2024 for:
$5,250.00
Bid Source: HA.com/Live bidder
Get one of these:
Explore Available Items
Description
Tolkien comments on the Ace Books edition of The Lord of the Rings: "[they] are acting legally, whether morally or not"
J.R.R. Tolkien Typed Letter Signed. One page, 6 7/8 x 5 3/8
inches; October 20, 1965. Tolkien writes to "Rally" magazine
publisher Timothy Wheeler responding to his inquiry about the
paperback edition of The Lord of the Rings trilogy released
by Ace Books. In full: "Ballantine Books is about to bring out a
paper-back edition revised by myself. This should make it worth the
few cents difference in price, of which I shall receive about
one-third." Signed, "JRR Tolkien." He adds a postscript:
"It must be noted that Ace Books are acting legally, whether
morally or not, and purchasers of their edition have no claim in
law to a return of money." Accompanied by the original
transmittal cover.The Lord of the Rings was first published in England by George Allen & Unwin and imported to the United States by Houghton Mifflin. By 1964, the success and popularity of the trilogy in the U.K. was noted, and Donald Wollheim contacted Tolkien to acquire publishing rights for Ace Books, a publisher dedicated solely to paperback novels. Tolkien declined his proposal; he did not want to see his books in paperback form as he thought it would diminish their stature.
With some research, Wollheim found a loophole in the existing copyright law: the limited copyright under which Houghton Mifflin had been publishing the books had expired and wasn't renewed, suggesting that the copyright for The Lord of the Rings had been abandoned, and that it was in the public domain. The Ace Books edition of the three titles first appeared in May 1965. Tolkien's response was immediate and strong.
He mounted a public campaign informing his readers about the unauthorized nature of the Ace editions, and he worked closely with his authorized publisher, Ballantine Books, to release an official paperback edition. After significant pressure from Tolkien and his supporters, including a campaign urging fans to boycott the Ace editions, they agreed to cease publication in early 1966. Ballantine's authorized editions were released later that year with the publication of The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers in October and Return of the King in November of 1966.
Condition: The letter is near fine, with light toning and a single flattened mail fold. Transmittal envelope has some wear, uneven toning and soiling; with a few diagonal marks resulting from storage.
Reference: Andrew Liptak, "The Unauthorized Lord of the Rings" as posted on kirkusreviews.com.
Auction Info
2024 September 25 Historical Manuscripts Including Texana Signature® Auction #6305 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
September, 2024
25th
Wednesday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 9
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 1,240
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
25% on the first $1,000,000 (minimum $49), plus 20% of any amount between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000, plus 15% of any amount over $5,000,000 per lot.
Shipping, Taxes, Terms and Bidding
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms
Important information concerning Sales Tax and Resale Certificates. Learn More
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms