Tolkien (J.R.R.).- Macktail (J.W.) Latin Literature, fifth edition, Tolkien's schoolboy copy with inscriptions 'J.R.R. Tolkien, Class I K.E.H.S, October 1st 1907' and below ''Oct. 1909, J.R.R.Tolkien' in a more cursive hand to endpaper, both inscriptions crossed through in biro by later owner, ink name of later owner in biro to head of page, original cloth, spine faded, wear to head of spine and upper corner, 8vo, 1906.

⁂ A standard schoolboy's Latin textbook with a wonderful provenance. Tolkien grew up in Edgbaston, Birmingham and attended King Edward's School. The dates of the inscriptions are of particular interest as these mark the flowering of Tolkien's interest in language; during these years he would begin the invention of his first constructed languages, based largely on his studies of Anglo-Saxon and Latin.