In this episode of Inspired by History, Rebecca Barry interviews Nathan Raab, president of the Raab Collection, about a recently surfaced, unpublished letter from JRR Tolkien. The letter, acquired by the Raab Collection, features Tolkien discussing his characters and providing permission to a fan to name his golden retriever after one of them. They delve into the historical significance and market value of Tolkien's autographs, the enduring impact of his works, and the unique insights these letters offer into his creative process and personality. Additionally, they discuss how collectors often start their journeys with items related to their personal heroes, like Tolkien. For more information: https://www.raabcollection.com/literary-autographs/tolkien-names-of-chatacters

00:00 Introduction to Inspired by History

00:32 An Unpublished J.R.R. Tolkien Letter

01:30 The Legacy of Tolkien's Characters

05:06 Tolkien's Correspondence and Unusual Handwriting

06:22 The Value of Tolkien's Autographs

08:14 Collecting Autographs: A Personal Journey

09:39 Conclusion