Letter J.R.R Tolkien wrote to boy in Oxford could fetch £20k

The remarkable note, dated December 28, 1961, saw the author revealing his thoughts to a young fan from Lancashire.

The letter, written on Tolkien's personal letterhead from 76 Sandfield Road, Headington, is addressed to Christopher Howard.

It saw him offer insight to his seminal works, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, discussing his beloved characters and the thrilling adventures they embark upon.

Mr Howard was captivated by Tolkien's world from a young age.

(Image: SWNS) His mother, an English teacher, would read The Hobbit to him and his brother, Nicky, igniting his passion for reading.

Mr Howard's curiosity about Tolkien's other works led to this treasured correspondence.

He said: "Immediately, on seeing the envelope, in my mind, Professor Tolkien's beautiful handwriting transported our home straight to Middle Earth. It became, 'A small Lodge, A small Lane, Ormskirk, Lancashire."

JRR Tolkien (Image: Oxford Mail) Tolkien apologises for the delay in his response, explaining the holiday rush, and wishes Mr Howard a happy New Year.

"Thank you very much indeed for your letter," Tolkien writes.

"I was very pleased to have it, and I liked learning about the parts that specially pleased you.

"I don't think Nicky (Christopher's young brother) missed much, as The Hobbit was specially written for reading aloud.

"Though, of course, it is, I think, more fun to do the reading, and there are lots of books that can only be taken in quietly by oneself."

He then delves into his other works, introducing Mr Howard to The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

"I have in fact written other books in which Hobbits play a main part, and Bilbo makes an appearance - though not as a chief character as he is getting very old (60 years have gone by) and the story began on his 111th Birthday," Tolkien writes.

He adds: "But this book or books is very long - (about six times as long as The Hobbit), and is in three volumes, The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers and The Return of the King.

"It is largely about Bilbo's magic ring, and Gandalf and Gollum are very important in it."

He advises the young reader that while the trilogy is expensive, it is widely available in public libraries due to high demand.

Tolkien cautions Howard that the adventures within these volumes are much grimmer and more frightening than those in The Hobbit.

(Image: SWNS) "If it is any colder in Lancashire than it is down here, then you must be frozen stiff," he humorously adds, sharing a glimpse into the weather conditions in Oxford.

The letter is offered with an estimate of £19.7k ($20k) by Boston (USA)-based RR Auction, with the sale set to end 20 June.

Bobby Livingston, executive VP at RR Auction, said: "Letters from Tolkien that mention, or even allude to, either of these defining works are of exceptional desirability; that this example mentions both is, quite matter-of-factly, cause for excitement, as Tolkien letters of this ilk are rarely offered for public sale."