Letter 241b

The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien
Letter 241b
Recipient	Rayner Unwin
Date	19 November 1962
Subject(s)	Honouring Tolkiens work

Letter 241b is a letter written by J.R.R. Tolkien and published in The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien: Revised and Expanded edition.

Summary

Tolkien responds to Rayner Unwin's admission of involvement in the creation of a Festschrift in his honour. Tolkien humorously refers to the endeavour as a "gunpowder plot" uncovered almost on the anniversary of the historical Gunpowder Plot. Despite his usual vigilance, Tolkien was unaware of the plan, which aimed to "blow him up" with praise rather than harm.

The revelation that he was to be honoured came as a pleasant shock to him. He expresses his delight and gratitude that the project was taken on by Allen & Unwin, calling it a magnanimous act.