A collection of letters, books, and notes documenting the friendship between author J.R.R. Tolkien and Eileen Elgar, a profoundly deaf fan, has sold at auction for £103,000. The items were sold at Sotheby's auction house in London.
Elgar, who died in 1980, lived near the Hotel Miramar in Bournemouth, where Tolkien and his wife would vacation annually. Their correspondence began in the 1960s when Elgar, who lived in Oxford, wrote to the author. The collection illustrates a friendship that spanned years.
Among the sold lots was a letter from Tolkien mentioning the death of fellow author C.S. Lewis. A signed copy of Tolkien's "The Adventures of Tom Bombadil" was also part of the auction. These specific items alone sold for £20,480.
The sale highlights the enduring appeal of Tolkien's work and the personal connections forged through his writing. The extensive collection provided a unique glimpse into the author's life and his interactions with his readership.