Postal Card signed "Lin" found behind fireplace from tolkien's former home in Poole, Dorset.

The postcard was addressed to Tolkien at the Miramar Hotel in Bournemouth, where he and his wife Edith often stayed.

It is from "Lin," which could be fellow fantasy author Lin Carter who wrote "Tolkien: A Look Behind 'The Lord of the Rings,'" published in 1969.

Depicting a scene from Ireland, it reads: "I have been thinking of you a lot and hope everything has gone as well as could be expected in the most difficult circumstances." These circumstances were probably the move to the bungalow in mid 1968. tolkien's possesions were moved to Poole from Oxford in tolkien's absence due to a leg injury in June. Since he had not been able to pack his books and papers, the resulting chaos took months to sort out and prevented Tolkien from work on "The Silmarillion".

At the time of the original listing, redevelopment of the bungalow Tolkien called "Woodridings" into two contemporary houses was planned. Tolkien bought the house in 1968 after spending many happy years in the area on holiday. He lived in the three-bed bungalow, which backs onto Branksome Chine, until 1972, when he moved back to Oxford following his wife's death in 1971.

It came on the market for £1 million in November 2007, sold by the person who bought it from Tolkien himself. The author, who died in 1973, is said to have found respite from his growing fame there and at the Miramar Hotel, Bournemouth, which he and his wife frequently visited. A commemorative  plaque can be seen on the front of the hotel.

In September 2007 the then owner sold some of the Tolkien items from Woodridings. The sale had been announced in the newspaper, and visitors were able to see inside the house and buy some of Tolkien's furniture.

Ahead of the planned demolition, the remaining features were removed. These included an Adam-style fireplace, garden decorations, doors and a postcard found behind the fireplace.

The postal card was retrieved from behind the fireplace when removing it.

The fireplace was located in the sitting/dining room, which had windows with a delightful outlook over the patio and landscaped gardens beyond with Branksome Chine beyond. The feature Adam style fireplace with marble hearth, insert, ornate detailing and mantle was the center piece of the room and an archway let to family room.

A postcard addressed to Tolkien and signed Lin, found behind the fireplace at Woodridings; the proposed identification as Lin Carter remains uncertain.


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