In May 2024, a scrap of paper—a legitimate Tolkien manuscript—was auctioned at Doyle of New York. The piece of paper is 3 3/4 x 7 inches, and contains sixteen words, plus Tolkien's signature. The words are from a letter of 30 June 1972 that Tolkien sent to The Daily Telegraph, and which was duly published in their issue dated 4 July 1972. Here is the item, as it appears on the Doyle auction website:
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That's a lot of money, but the quotation--striking, concise, personally revealing--could hardly be bettered as a statement of Tolkien's beliefs. I expect that the buyer was thrilled to acquire this scrap, which doubtless now hangs on a library or study wall in a suitable mat and frame.
ReplyDeleteDoubtless all true!
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