A collection of letters and intimate photos that offer a glimpse into J.R.R Tolkien’s private world has been made available for purchase.
Pamela Chandler, a society photographer took these images of the very private Lord of the Rings author, relaxing in his garden and study with Edith.
The image is one of Tolkien’s personal hand-drawn maps of Middle Earth that he took in his studio. This map was used to create The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings Trilogy.
Pamela has also included photos of Rayner unwin from her archive. Rayner was a 10-year-old who read The Hobbit’s manuscript for the first time.
According to Tolkien legend, Stanley Unwin was convinced by his son’s review of the 1936 tale that he would make it into a book.
Pictured: An archive of intimate photographs and letters that provide a rare glimpse into J.R.R Tolkien’s secretive world have emerged for sale and are expected to fetch at least £25,000 when they go under the hammer at auction in Essex next month
Private: This collection was taken by Pamela Chandler, a society photographer who visited Tolkien’s house in 1961.
Tolkien, Lord of the Rings author was notoriously secretive. The photos give a peek into his life and family.
Pictured is a 1961 letter written by J.R.R Tolkien and sent to Pamela Chandler to organize the photograph session at his house.
Rayner’s comments may not have allowed for the Lord of the Rings trilogy to be written.
Pamela’s talent and reputation earned her photographic commissions from famous sixties royalty, celebrities, and literary majors.
In 1961, she was given the task of producing portraits for the famedly camera-shy writer.
Pamela convinced him and they became good friends throughout their lives.
1966 saw her invited back to Oxfordshire by the couple to photograph candid moments.
Images of Tolkien, an extremely private writer, were captured while he was at home relaxing. Photographed by Tolkien, 1961 in his bedroom.
Pamela took portraits of her husband in 1961 (right) and was then invited to return to their home in 1966 to photograph the couple (left).
The archive also includes photographs of Rayner unwin (10 years old) who was the first to see The Hobbit’s manuscript.
Pamela was buried in 1993. Her archive of photographs, negatives and other correspondence went to her sister.
Reeman Dansie Auctioneers in Colchester has placed it on the market. It is expected to sell for more than £25,000.
A group of 64 black-and-white negatives from the Tolkien Original Shoots is up for sale with copyright. This means that the winning bidder will get a regular income every time they’re published.
They are valued at £10,000.
Pamela’s correspondence includes correspondence she received from Tolkien as well his wife.
The signed letters, valued at £2,500 each, contain ‘delightful Tolkienisms’, updates on his state of health and the couple’s plans for birthdays and Christmases.
One thing that he did not emphasize is the importance of his private life.
Pamela received a letter from him describing how he felt about the ‘impertinent invasion into my privacy’ in a newspaper article.
Reeman Dansie Auctioneers’ Daniel Wright said that Pamella Chandler was a pioneer in professional photography, which is still dominated by men.
“The entire archive spans her career. But the Tolkien material is most fascinating because it is private and he didn’t enjoy publicity.
“She became his favorite photographer after he met her and his wife.
These letters, called “Tolkien Letters”, are very rare and highly desirable.
“There are six in the collection. The one that is most interesting has an unusual Tolkien phrase. Pamela is told by him that he wants her to “catching up with arrows”.
Tolkien, in a letter dated December 27, 1966, stated that prints taken from his photo shoot had been given to family members as Christmas gifts.
He stated that the images were a joy to the eyes of all the members of his family.
Edith wrote a January 8th 1967 letter in which she referred to her husband, “The Professor”, who required frequent breaks from brain-work and other activities.
Pictured are two professional portraits of Tolkien (left and right) as well as a candid photograph of Tolkien taken in his garden in 1966
Pictured: Pamela Chandler received a letter from J.R.R Tolkien in 1961
Pamela also kept notebooks in the archive, which describe the Tolkiens and her love for them as the “most adorable people I could ever care to meet”;
Tolkien was 81 years old when he died at his Dorset holiday home, Poole. Edith was 82 when she died.
This archive will go on sale December 1.