Allen & Unwin, Tolkien’s publishing company, wrote to Tolkien on May 11. They had found an American publisher which wanted the rights to The Hobbit. In addition to the novel, the interested party indicated that they “would like a number of further illustrations in colour and suggested employing good American artists.” Allen & Unwin, on the other hand, thought it would be better if the illustrations came from Tolkien’s own hand. While Tolkien agreed, he was fearful of losing the prospect of publishing abroad.
13 May 1937
20 Northmoor Road, Oxford
Dear Mr Furth,
Thank you for the information concerning prospective American publication. Could you tell me the name of the firm, and what are likely to be the financial arrangements?
As for the illustrations: I am divided between knowledge of my own inability and fear of what American artists (doubtless of admirable skill) might produce. In any case I agree that all the illustrations ought to be by the same hand: four professional pictures would make my own amateurish productions look rather silly. I have some ‘pictures’ in my drawer, but though they represent scenes from the mythology on the outskirts of which the Hobbit had his adventures, they do not really illustrate his story. The only possible one is the original coloured version of Mirkwood (re-drawn in black and white for ‘the Hobbit’). I should have to try and draw some five or six others for the purpose. I will attempt this, as far as time allows in the middle of the term, if you think is advisable. But I could not promise anything for some time. Perhaps the matter does not allow of much delay? It might be advisable, rather than lose the American interest, to let the Americans do what seems good to them—as long as it was possible (I should like to add) to veto anything from or influenced by the Disney studios (for all whose works I have a heartfelt loathing). I have seen American illustrations that suggest the excellent things might be produced—only too excellent for their companions. But perhaps you could tell me how long there is before I must produce samples that might hope to satisfy Transatlantic juvenile taste (or its expert connoisseurs)?….
Yours sincerely
J.R.R. Tolkien
From The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien. Edited by Humphrey Carpenter. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2000. pp. 17-18.
FURTHER READING
Tolkien wrote an essay on his troubles with contemporary fairy tales and children’s stories, believing that adults underestimated the capacity of the child’s mind.
Pauline Baynes worked on illustrations for Tolkien, but her first project was for a dear friend, C.S. Lewis.
Read about Middle Earth’s lost chapter.