Hmm.. you've slightly stumped me.

The poem was given to his secretary, Joy Hill, in 1966 as a present. (There's a story around it, about a silver bracelet). So that's the first part, but I'm not sure about the second. The poem was put to music by Donald Swann, for the "The Road Goes Ever On and On 2nd collection" set. (which I own. :) ) Then it was illustrated as a poster later on. I'm not sure either of those answers are what you're looking for, though. Here's hoping someone has a better memory than me.

Beren,

You've basically got it... She found the poem between the pages of a book in Tolkien's house. He had forgotten it was there.

Just one comment .....the posters actually came before the Swann revisions. The posters were published in 1974 and the revised Swann later than that.

Glad to see you again lately.... You were close enough and the floor is yours.

~Child

Ah, must be age, my memory goes with it. :p Sorry about that.

Who pointed out the relation between Tolkien's Ring and the Nibelungenlied?

Ake Ohlmarks did so in his introduction to the Swedish translation of LotR; Tolkien wrote in reply to his publisher (Letter 229): I also find his closing remark very amusing, after he corrects the many wrong "facts" contained in that introduction:

Esty get is, and even the funny bit for bonus points. :)

Who recommended to Stanley Unwin that he publish Leaf by Niggle?

I'll guess.

Susan Dagnall?

Sorry - nice guess, but wrong. Try again!

Bumping this in the hopes that we might get another hint. But as I recently read a thread begun by none other than our beloved Esty in which she laments 'nothing' posts, I will give this some content and take a guess at the answer to the current poser:

Mrs Unwin? ;)

Sometimes wild guesses come very close, Fordim! It was a member of the family, though not Unwin's wife...

His son? His daughter? His estranged uncle who lived in the attic? The cat?

Son is correct, Fordim - but not Rayner, who is well-known to us as his father's "assistent" for judging children's books. I'd like a name, please; hint - it can be found in the index to the Letters...

David!

In the notes for letter #98 we find out that Sir Stanley's elder son David wrote children's stories under the name David Severn and that he had read LbN in The Dublin Review and suggested it be published in 1945.

I find this so interesting! I had always assumed that any thought of publishing LbN would have been post-Lotr.

You got it, Fordim! Yes, that is an interesting bit of trivia, isn't it?! Now you get to find something equally interesting...

Piet Harting and the Professor ate what Fear Factor-type of food together?

That was "Maggot Soup" - a mushroom soup named after Farmer Maggot, of course. The Dutch hosts didn't know 'all the names of the English vermins', which caused some hilarity. (Letter 206)

Oh, "of course", is it? "Of Course"! -- too easy, obviously. Next time, Esty I'm going to come up with such a poser, you will never get it. . . :p

. . .although I suppose that does defeat the purpose somewhat. And I am going to have to get one of my own first, I suppose. . .

You are, OF COURSE, entirely correct. :)

The "of course" referred only to the source of the soup's name! Grammar, my dear Fordim, grammar and context! Now for a new question:

The intended and planned sequel to one of Tolkien's stories was not written because the war (WWII) destroyed the countryside. Which story was that?

Ten days are up - does anyone want to give it a try, or shall I post a new one?

Could you possibly give us a hint where to look?

I found the reference in Carpenter's biography of Tolkien; to narrow it down, it's in the chapter "The Storyteller".

Was it Farmer Giles?

Good for you, Tuor - you got it! Let me give the complete quote from the biography, chapter "The Storyteller": Now it's your turn!

Woo-hoo!

Okay. In what specific way did JRRT indicate a contempt for nazi anti-semitism?

Are you referring to Tolkien's response to a request concerning a German translation of The Hobbit?

The company Rütten & Loening of Potsdam had written to Allen & Unwin asking if Tolkien was aryan. Letters 29 and 30 recount this situation. Tolkien personally would have refused to give any declaration but thought he should consider his publisher's wishes. Thus, he sent Allen & Unwin two versions of a reply. It appears that Allen & Unwin choose to send the letter where Tolkien refused to make any declaration.

The letters are from July 1938.

More information on Tolkien versus the Third Reich
 

In which the most significant passage on anti-semitism is this one: There are also several personal attacks on Hitler, of which this is the longest:

Both correct. But Bethberry was first, so it looks like it's BBs turn.

Thank you Tuor of Gondolin and welcome back Squatter (not to be confused with an old American tv show.)

Here's one for the season: What was Tolkien's earliest recollection of Christmas?

Oo, oo, I think I know this one -- didn't he remember having a variety of South African evergreen as a Christmas tree??

Dickens in Bloemfontein
 

You've clearly forgotten about the wildebeest with the pomegranate nose, Fordim. And the sparkly spider decorations for the tree. :p :D

Any one else?

:cool:

I found a direct statement in Letter 56:

Amazing how chat clears up a few stray possibilities. ;)

And written in a letter to Christopher, who was in South Africa at the time. Ironies!

And now Estelyn, I believe you have some work to do... :D

Who was the U.Q.?

The "Utter Quack" I believe. A local doctor who Tolkien once said delighted in foretelling fatal illnesses. A nickname used by the Inklings.

And, more precisely, R.E. Harvard, who was both Lewis' and Tolkien's doctor.

Close, Bb, very close - "Quack" is correct, and the real name is "Havard", which is close enough to count, but what was the "U."?

Oh, right. "Useless" rather than "utter".

That's it! Now you get to hunt for a new one...

How did Tolkien once describe an American accent? And what came of the incident?

Well, I have to admit that he had a point. ;)

Foul! I cry Foul! (Possibly even Havoc. . .where are my dogs of war?)

This very letter and topic was recently discussed over in the Cellar Door thread.

Harumph, I say - Harumph.

(I woulda got this one, too *sulks*)