no image
Lot 297
TOLKIEN (J.R.R.)
Sold for £540 (US$ 699) inc. premium

Lot Details
TOLKIEN (J.R.R.)
Autograph letter signed ("J.R.R. Tolkien"), to Messrs Maples & Co of Bournemouth, accepting their several estimates for furniture on moving into his new house, which has been delayed because of his illness ("...I hope by the end of the week to be able to attend to things again. Above all to complete the clearance of the library floor to enable it to be clean and covered. Until that is done, necessary movement of furniture cannot be carried out, and I shall not be able to house the Teignmouth divan (cited in Estimate 2. But the work required for this and for the old chair (Estimate 3) can proceed, if it isnt already taken in hand..."), and enclosing a cheque for £50, 2 pages, 8vo, some creasing and minor soiling through handling, 19 Lakeside Road, Poole, 25 September 1968

Footnotes

  • This charming example of bagendery was written after Tolkien and his increasingly frail wife had decided to move from Oxford - partly to escape besieging fans - to a modern bungalow in the suburbs of Bournemouth. He had injured himself while preparing to move that July. By 2 January he was able to write to his son Christopher that "My library is now in order".
Activities
Auction information

This sale is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future sales, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this sale, please contact customer services.

Buyers' Obligations

ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.

If you have any complaints or questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest customer services team.

Buyers' Premium and Charges

For all Sales categories excluding Wine, Coins & Medals and Motor Cars and Motorcycles:
A successful bidder at this sale will be required to pay Bonhams 1793 Limited ("Bonhams") a premium calculated as follows:
25% on the first £100,000 of the hammer price
20% on the excess of £100,001 and up to £2,000,000 of the hammer price
12% on the excess of £2,000,001 of the hammer price

VAT at 20% will be payable on the amount of the premium.

The premium is payable for the services to be provided by Bonhams in the Buyer's Agreement which is contained in the catalogue for this Sale and for the opportunity to bid for the Lot at the Sale.

Payment Notices

Payment in advance: by cash, cheque with banker's card, credit card, bank draft or traveller's cheque.

Payment at collection: by credit or debit card.

Credit card charges: a surcharge of 2% is applicable when using Mastercard, Visa and overseas debit cards.

Shipping Notices

For information and estimates on domestic and international shipping as well as export licences please contact Bonhams Shipping Department.

Similar Items