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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 5/23/2008
Posts: 1,345
Location: Bucharest, Romania
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Galin wrote:Also, isn't Cathleen Blackburn a solicitor? Is she in charge of weeding out general fan mail? She is, but it's the only way I found of sending this letter. Others may be lucky enough to have the address of Mr Tolkien, but I'm not one of them. It won't be her responsibility to hand out mail, but if she knows of a better way (other than giving away Mr. Tolkien's address, which I presume she won't), she could take a minute to write me an email with the correct procedure to follow if I want my letter to get to its ultimate destination. Of course I would not take a lack of response personally, but it would probably sadden me nonetheless. An answer from Mr. Tolkien is anyway beyond my expectations, but a confirmation mail from Mrs. Blackburn is not.
Tolkien maniac collection! - Amazon (a list that I made for people much interested in Tolkien works and studies)
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Rank: Advanced Member
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Joined: 5/23/2008
Posts: 1,345
Location: Bucharest, Romania
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Some news about my attempts to contact Mr. Tolkien. Today I was surprised to find an email from Mrs. Blackburn. When writing my letter to Mr. Tolkien, I told him about my 'Tengwar Silmarillion' project (which I also presented to you here). I was hoping to discuss this matter with Mr. Tolkien (if at all); instead, the answer from Mrs. Blackburn was as follows: " Dear Mr ...,
Thank you for your correspondence, which I have discussed with Mr Tolkien. You are free to create a version of 'The Silmarillion' in Tengwar for your own use. However, the Tolkien Estate will not give its permission for the publication or other dissemination of such a work.
I hope this deals with your enquiry.
Regards,
Cathleen Blackburn" which seems a polite way to say 'I will handle your mail so that Christopher Tolkien won't have to enter into a correspondence with you personally'. Now I don't know whether she sent him my letter. If she did, then I still have a chance Mr. Tolkien would be interested in the project and would answer. If not, at least I know I've played my cards - and that is as far as I will get with my desire to contact Christopher.
Tolkien maniac collection! - Amazon (a list that I made for people much interested in Tolkien works and studies)
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 5/1/2007
Posts: 550
Location: Colorado USA
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I think it's great that you got a response at all, and it doesn't seem like a form letter.
CT is in his mid-eighties, he's probably retired and there are likely thousands of people who would like to correspond with him about his father's work.
I say "bravo" John for your efforts and results! Now, on with your project, you have the official blessing. (But only for your own enjoyment!)
... the seas of the Bent World fell away beneath it, and the winds of the round sky troubled it no more...
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 5/23/2008
Posts: 1,345
Location: Bucharest, Romania
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John Wain wrote:Now I don't know whether she sent him my letter. I am a curious person, so I just had to ask. Mrs. Blackburn was so kind as to answer this question. I wrote to her wanting to know if she sent Mr. Tolkien my letter, and she said: Mr Tolkien did indeed receive your letter.I can say that it was all that I ever hoped - given all the difficulties with not knowing his address and having to rely on someone else's benevolence, to finally know that he read my letter personally is a great honour. Thank you for your encouragement, Beth. It will probably take some time to complete this project of mine, since I don't have either the expertise or the money at present, but to know I have an official approval is indeed a great step.
Tolkien maniac collection! - Amazon (a list that I made for people much interested in Tolkien works and studies)
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 2/9/2009
Posts: 460
Location: vienna, austria
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John Wain wrote:
Mr Tolkien did indeed receive your letter.
this is great news indeed, John. your efforts have not been in vain and this maybe is one of the best things that can happen to a lover of his and especially his father's books.
- "the invention of languages is the foundation. the 'stories' were made rather to provide a world for the languages than the reverse" JRRT "...The Silmarillion was not intended to be a historical book, but a novel where the different tales become legendary and not ordinary. Knowing it does not mean being aware of the actions of coutless people from the past, but understanding the superb imagination of only one writer, reflected through the deeds of these heroes. ... Those who criticize it ... stumble on words, whithout having the power to understand and appreciate this splendid work of J.R.R.Tolkien" John Wain "power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. great men are almost always bad men..." Lord Acton "you show what you're like when you can do what you like"
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