The Collection Grows - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Child of the 7th Age · 03-04-2006, 10:50 PM

Thanks, Parmastahir.

__________________

Some people have a weakness for calendars, and others indulge in books. I'm afraid I'm one of the latter. I not only collect Tolkien but certain children's books, and I do have a weakness for the Tolkien family tree.

Today I found something on e-bay that combines all those interests This is a first edition of Little Grey Rabbit's Pancake Day by Allison Uttley. What makes this interesting is that it was a gift to Ruth Tolkien from her father Michael Tolkien (JRRT's grandson) Ruth was born in 1982 and is blind. (This info is on the e-bay site, but I was aware of it independently as well.)

There's a handwritten inscription in the book from her father and it comes with a brief letter from Ruth confirming the authenticity and outlining the Tolkien family pedigree as it descends from Michael, sr. I've corresponded with the owner and am fairly convinced that this book is "for real" -- not a fake or anything. Plus it's only a crazy person like me who would want to purchase something like this from several generations removed! A resourceful counterfeiter (and there are many out there) would surely counterfeit JRRT's own sig!

Scroll down and take a look at the inscriptions: Tolkien family inscriptions I can't get over how similar Ruth's and her father Michael's handwriting is to that of the family patriarch JRRT. that unique script seems to run in the family! Anyways, I got a kick out of adding this to my collection.

P.S. If there are any more crazy collectors out there, this same seller will be offering other books of this type.

Lalwendë · 03-11-2006, 12:49 PM

Child, I also spotted that on eBay and was quite fascinated by it, wondering who might be tempted to go the extra mile and buy it.

Another couple of items on eBay I have been watching are a pair of original sketches by Roger Garland. One is for a well known book cover and the other of Tom Bombadil. I like his work as I have a boxed set from the mid 80s which had it on so it brings back memories. I did note that this also seems to be the artist himself who is selling these sketches!

Parmastahir · 03-11-2006, 04:50 PM

Hello to All -

Added two more calendars to my compilation today: Inklings calendars (Cahill&Co from 1978 and 1979). Drop in, see how many of the Tolkien calendars you have and/or recognize . . . or just see how many there are! Check out the "Calendar of the Month" for March and let me know what you suggest for next month. Thanks.

Parmastahir

www.angelfire.com/tn3/tolkiencalendars

Child of the 7th Age · 03-11-2006, 06:23 PM

Lalwende,

Those are nice. Your link didn't work, but you can get to one of the listings by this: Garland Then you can click on his other listings to get to the other one.

I have a feeling the Tom Bombadil listing will go sky high at the last minute. (It's already over $100.) I do have a copy of that book with Garland's cover.

My little book came today. It is truly eery to look at Michael Tolkien's writing--almost like a carbon copy of his grandfather!

Lalwendë · 03-12-2006, 02:22 PM

You actually bought the book! I hadn't noticed that!

That's nice, knowing it has gone to a good home!

The Tom Bombadil sketch is still only £62 in UK pounds, which is not too bad at all, so I'm hanging on to see if it goes over what I'd be prepared to spend, as I do like it.

03-04-2006, 10:50 PM	#1
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	Thanks, Parmastahir. __________________ Some people have a weakness for calendars, and others indulge in books. I'm afraid I'm one of the latter. I not only collect Tolkien but certain children's books, and I do have a weakness for the Tolkien family tree. Today I found something on e-bay that combines all those interests This is a first edition of Little Grey Rabbit's Pancake Day by Allison Uttley. What makes this interesting is that it was a gift to Ruth Tolkien from her father Michael Tolkien (JRRT's grandson) Ruth was born in 1982 and is blind. (This info is on the e-bay site, but I was aware of it independently as well.) There's a handwritten inscription in the book from her father and it comes with a brief letter from Ruth confirming the authenticity and outlining the Tolkien family pedigree as it descends from Michael, sr. I've corresponded with the owner and am fairly convinced that this book is "for real" -- not a fake or anything. Plus it's only a crazy person like me who would want to purchase something like this from several generations removed! A resourceful counterfeiter (and there are many out there) would surely counterfeit JRRT's own sig! Scroll down and take a look at the inscriptions: Tolkien family inscriptions I can't get over how similar Ruth's and her father Michael's handwriting is to that of the family patriarch JRRT. that unique script seems to run in the family! Anyways, I got a kick out of adding this to my collection. P.S. If there are any more crazy collectors out there, this same seller will be offering other books of this type. __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote. Last edited by Child of the 7th Age; 03-04-2006 at 10:57 PM.

03-11-2006, 12:49 PM	#2
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	Child, I also spotted that on eBay and was quite fascinated by it, wondering who might be tempted to go the extra mile and buy it. Another couple of items on eBay I have been watching are a pair of original sketches by Roger Garland. One is for a well known book cover and the other of Tom Bombadil. I like his work as I have a boxed set from the mid 80s which had it on so it brings back memories. I did note that this also seems to be the artist himself who is selling these sketches! __________________ Gordon's alive!

03-11-2006, 04:50 PM	#3
Parmastahir Wight Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Green Hill Country Posts: 196	Calendar Website Hello to All - Added two more calendars to my compilation today: Inklings calendars (Cahill&Co from 1978 and 1979). Drop in, see how many of the Tolkien calendars you have and/or recognize . . . or just see how many there are! Check out the "Calendar of the Month" for March and let me know what you suggest for next month. Thanks. Parmastahir www.angelfire.com/tn3/tolkiencalendars __________________ Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise can not see all ends.

03-11-2006, 06:23 PM	#4
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	Lalwende, Those are nice. Your link didn't work, but you can get to one of the listings by this: Garland Then you can click on his other listings to get to the other one. I have a feeling the Tom Bombadil listing will go sky high at the last minute. (It's already over $100.) I do have a copy of that book with Garland's cover. My little book came today. It is truly eery to look at Michael Tolkien's writing--almost like a carbon copy of his grandfather! __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote.

03-12-2006, 02:22 PM	#5
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	You actually bought the book! I hadn't noticed that! That's nice, knowing it has gone to a good home! The Tom Bombadil sketch is still only £62 in UK pounds, which is not too bad at all, so I'm hanging on to see if it goes over what I'd be prepared to spend, as I do like it. __________________ Gordon's alive!

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