The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien: Revised and Expanded Edition (HarperCollins), featuring six decades of Tolkien’s letters to his publishers, children, and friends, is being auctioned by J.R.R. Tolkien’s great-grandson Royd Tolkien in support of ALS care, research, and advocacy.
This one-of-a-kind deluxe edition carries signatures from people who have brought Tolkien’s world to the screen—and those carrying it forward—including Sir Ian McKellen (Gandalf), Andy Serkis (Gollum), Lee Pace (Thranduil), Jed Brophy, producer Zane Weiner, and writers Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou.
The worldwide online auction opened September 22—International Hobbit Day—and closes Friday, October 23 at noon Pacific.
The auction fulfills Task #44 on a bucket list of 50 challenges left to Royd by his younger brother Mike, who died of Motor Neurone Disease (ALS) at age 36. Mike, an adrenaline-sports junkie, left his notoriously risk-averse older brother one final act of love and mischief: a list designed to push Royd far outside his comfort zone.
To fulfill Task #44 —raise awareness of MND — Royd chose to auction the book in conjunction with the international premiere of his documentary, There’s a Hole in My Bucket, at the Newport Beach Film Festival. The film follows Royd across New Zealand as he takes on Mike’s extraordinary final challenge to him.
More signatures are being added before the auction closes. The winning bidder will receive the book exactly as it stands at closing, including every new signature added along the way, accompanied by a signed letter of provenance from Royd Tolkien describing when and where each signature was added.
All proceeds benefit ALS Network, in partnership with ALS United Orange County.
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