Three volumes, being the 11th impression of The Fellowship of the Ring and the 8th impression both The Two Towers and The Return of the King. Original red cloth with gilt titles on the spine. Each volume signed by the author on the preliminary blank for friend and correspondent, Eileen Elgar. In addition, loosely tipped into the front end paper of The Fellowship is a note in Tolkien's hand on the creation of the race of Dwarves. Fold out maps to the rear of each volume, printed in red and black, drawn by Christopher Tolkien. Near fine copies, the odd stray spot at margins, extremities very slightly rubbed.

An exceptional association copy of Tolkien's epic work of fantasy, which began life to as a sequel The Hobbit, but grew in scope and volume as Tolkien worked on it in stages between 1937 and 1949.
This signed set is a unique record of the author's unlikely friendship with an avid fan and correspondent, Eileen Elgar. Having read (presumably these copies of) The Lord of the Rings, Elgar had written to Tolkien in the early 1963 with questions about and suggestions for improvements to the narrative. Despite the deluge of fan mail Tolkien received at the time, he was intrigued by her letter and by happy coincidence, she lived near the Hotel Miramar in Bournemouth where Tolkien and his wife would holiday regularly. In October of that year whilst staying at the Miramar, he visited Elgar. Tolkien recalls the meeting in a letter to his grandson of 16 October 1963, describing Eileen as an "admirer" who is "highly intelligent & well-read" though sadly "stone deaf", necessitating the arduous process of conversation "by writing pad" (Letter 249, Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien).
This autograph note appears to be a product of this cumbersome method of communication. It is hastily penned in ballpoint on a piece of lined note paper. However, it is clearly also the product of a lively, in-depth discussion, and delves into significant detail regarding Middle Earth Creation lore and was clearly deemed sufficiently pertinent to her discussions on The Lord of the Rings to have been retained with her set of the work.
In the note Tolkien explains how a Valar named Aulë tried creating Dwarves in secret, but "Only the Creator could 'create'". He goes on to note how God forgave Aule and "and gave them life. — but they had to sleep until His own children (Elves & Men) went in the world. 'Aule's people' are the Dwarves". This discussion foreshadowed the chapter, "Of Aulë and Yavanna" in The Silmarillion. On the reverse and clearly part of different conversation, Tolkien writes, "Would you like a copy of my next book, which contains a short story called Leaf by Niggle (about an artist)?"
A measure of the intellectual regard in which Tolkien held Elgar can be seen by the fact that he sent her a his working manuscript in preparation for a chapter of The Silmarillion, inviting comment.
An exceptional relic of a friendship and meeting of minds, which helped to shape Tolkien's creative process.

Stock ID: 46996