J.R.R. Tolkien

A letter from J.R.R. Tolkien to Ken Jackson concerning a production of The Hobbit.

• J.R.R. Tolkien (English).
• Dated January 4th, 1968.
• Handwritten and signed.
• 1 ½ pages.
• Signed by JRR Tolkien with the characteristic 3 dots and underscore.
• Written on blind stamped headed paper: 76 Sandfield Road, Headington, Oxford.

A fine original Tolkien letter, handwritten and signed to Ken Jackson, technical director of Humphrey Carpenter's musical adaptation of The Hobbit.

An adaptation of The Hobbit, dramatized and produced by Humphrey Carpenter, was staged by New College Choir School in the late 1960s. Tolkien provided autographs for the actors but neglected the technical crew.

Tolkien offers to send some 'stick-in autographs" to Mr. Jackson, technical director of Humphrey Carpenter's musical adaptation of The Hobbit at the end of 1967, who was "left out" of an autographing session Tolkien. The author then apologizes to "the back-room boys of the drama" noting their "necessary, indeed very important, functions". He explains that his eldest son, John Tolkien Jr, “used to perform the same functions at his school". Tolkien also signed copies of the program for the performance for Mr. Jackson and the children.