#4 The Lord of the Rings

This is a work by another one of Pembroke’s most famous people, JRR Tolkien. However, we’re looking at this from a ‘double Pembroke’ angle, as the book was a donation from another Pembroke alumnus, and is a complete edition of all three Lord of the Rings books in one volume.

1. This is copy 235 of a 250 copy limited edition run.

2. It was printed to celebrate the centenary of JRR Tolkien’s birth.

3. It has gilt edges and a slip case, both of which are in perfect condition.

4. It contains 50 original paintings by Alan Lee, who has also signed the book.

5. Lee is a celebrated illustrator, and has gone on to provide covers for later editions of Tolkien’s works. He also worked as a concept artist for Peter Jackson’s films.

6. This book was part of a larger gift of Tolkien’s books given to us by Dick Williamson, who matriculated at Pembroke in 1952 to read Law, eventually becoming college solicitor.

7. He was also Tolkien’s solicitor, and an executor of his estate.

8. JRR Tolkien was at Pembroke from 1925-1945 while he was Rawlinson & Boswoth Professor of Anglo Saxon.

9. The college archive contains notes and letters from Tolkien to other Fellows, including one where he mentions writing a ‘not at all academic’ book, which would turn out to be The Hobbit. A replica of this is now in the MCR.

10. We also have the minutes of the Johnson Society meeting, where he first spoke of his invented languages. A critical edition of this essay, A Secret Vice, was published in 2016.