Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics by J.R.R. Tolkien

1st Edition, 3rd Impression of J.R.R. Tolkien’s famous 1936 lecture on Beowulf, a cornerstone in the study of Anglo-Saxon literature

Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics
J.R.R. Tolkien
1st Edition, 3rd Impression – 1960
Oxford University Press for the British Academy, London
Booklet, not illustrated
Hammond Page Ref.: p.3

This is a third impression of the first edition of Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics, J.R.R. Tolkien’s groundbreaking 1936 lecture on Beowulf, delivered as the Sir Israel Gollancz Memorial Lecture to the British Academy. Originally printed in 1937, this third impression was reprinted lithographically in Great Britain at the University Press, Oxford, in 1958 and 1960.

The booklet is bound in its original grey card wrappers with black-printed titles to the front cover and a list of previously delivered Gollancz Memorial Lectures on the back. The book’s stitching and binding are intact, and there are no names, markings, or inscriptions. The wrappers show minimal browning around the edges, typical for a booklet of this age, but remain in very good condition.

Inside, Tolkien’s lecture offers a pivotal analysis of the Beowulf poem, arguing against viewing it solely as a historical document and instead emphasizing its artistic merit and mythical depth. This lecture fundamentally shifted Beowulf studies and the treatment of Anglo-Saxon literature, making this booklet a valuable piece for both Tolkien collectors and medieval literature scholars.

The booklet is composed of 53 pages in total, with an additional [3] pages. Though not illustrated, the text remains a significant scholarly piece. The original price of “4s net” is printed on the front wrapper.

This is a well-preserved collectible item that represents a key moment in Tolkien’s academic career, adding to its value for both literature enthusiasts and Tolkien admirers alike.

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