A copy of the questions that caused so much ire does not survive but Potts remembers I was taken back by his letter. Richard Potts sent Tolkien a questionnaire whilst working on his dissertation on children s literature, hoping that the bestselling author would shed some light on his craft. You may put me down as an odd character, for personally I do not believe that any valuable truths or insights are discoverable by such questionnairs. Most of your questions are in any case unanswerable, by me, and some impertient. The master of fantasy responds in the most eloquent way to basically say to get lost: Dear Mr Potts I think you are asking too much of a busy man. A response to a questionnaire which Potts sent Tolkien. The letter: one page, 8vo (176 x 135mm.), on cream-coloured Sandfield Road headed notepaper, one central fold presumably to fit an envelope, some creases and light spotting, Headington, Oxford, 15 August 1964. In addition, an original handwritten and signed Tolkien letter. Beautifully rebound in full black leather. John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (1954-55) The Lord of the Rings, UK first edition, first printing set, published by George Allen & Unwin.
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