The letters show the affectionate family man that we do not glimpse in his fiction

Sally Brown, curator

The free exhibition at the British Library reveals a little of what Tolkien may have thought of furore surrounding the release of the big screen version of Fellowship of the Ring.

The Hobbit - a sort of prequel to The Lord of the Rings - enjoyed great and instant success when it was published, in 1937.

The Lord of the Rings series then became a huge success, which has endured through to today.

First edition

Part of the correspondence comes from letters written to his grandson at Christmas time, using his ornate calligraphic hand.

The collection also includes a rare first edition of The Hobbit and the first illustrated edition of The Lord of The Rings story.

Sally Brown, curator of modern literary manuscripts at the library, said: "The forthcoming film of The Lord of the Rings demonstrates Tolkien's enduring appeal, and we wanted to mark this occasion by displaying some interesting associated items.

"The letters show the affectionate family man that we do not glimpse in his fiction, and the books show how the stories have been illustrated before this big screen adaptation."

The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring is released in the UK on 19 December.