SKU: 31003508376

A Secret Vice: Tolkien on Invented Languages: J.R.R. Tolkien

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A Secret Vice: Tolkien on Invented Languages: J.R.R. Tolkien*UNSIGNED* J. R. R. Tolkiens linguistic invention was a fundamental part of his artistic output, to the extent that later on in life he attributed the existence of his mythology to the desire to give his languages a home and peoples to speak them. As Tolkien puts it in A Secret Vice, the making of language and mythology are related functions. In the 1930s, Tolkien composed and delivered two lectures, in which he explored these two key elements of his

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J.R.R. Tolkien’s linguistic invention was a fundamental part of his artistic output, to the extent that later on in life he attributed the existence of his mythology to the desire to give his languages a home and peoples to speak them. As Tolkien puts it in ‘A Secret Vice’, ‘the making of language and mythology are related functions’.

In the 1930s, Tolkien composed and delivered two lectures, in which he explored these two key elements of his sub-creative methodology. The second of these, the seminal Andrew Lang Lecture for 1938–9, ‘On Fairy-Stories’, which he delivered at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, is well known. But many years before, in 1931, Tolkien gave a talk to a literary society entitled ‘A Hobby for the Home’, where he unveiled for the first time to a listening public the art that he had both himself encountered and been involved with since his earliest childhood: ‘the construction of imaginary languages in full or outline for amusement’.

This talk would be edited by Christopher Tolkien for inclusion as ‘A Secret Vice’ in The Monsters and the Critics and Other Essays and serves as the principal exposition of Tolkien’s art of inventing languages. This new critical edition, which includes previously unpublished notes and drafts by Tolkien connected with the essay, including his ‘Essay on Phonetic Symbolism’, goes some way towards re-opening the debate on the importance of linguistic invention in Tolkien’s mythology and the role of imaginary languages in fantasy literature.

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SKU: 31003508376

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Lowell, US
★★★★★ 5
Prefect Travel Case
Color: Black, Color: Black
I got this for taking my jewelry on the go. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by the quality it feels very sturdy. It has several spots to hold jewelry and keep it organized. The outside is textured and it closes with a snap which can be done easily.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2026
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TopConsumer
Massapequa, US
★★★★★ 4
Small, bu holds a lot
Color: Black
I initially purchased the Jewelry Box Necklace Ring Storage Organizer as a gift for my 8-year-old daughter. The compact design and practical features seemed perfect for her little trinkets. However, its quality and style so took me upon receiving it, I decided to keep it for myself! The jewelry box is small, but it holds a lot with a double-layer structure that provides ample storage space for various types of jewelry. It easily accommodates rings, necklaces, and other small accessories without clutter. One of the highlights of this product is its portability. Its compact size makes it an ideal travel companion. I've taken it on several trips, and it has proven incredibly convenient. It keeps all my jewelry neatly organized and easy to find, eliminating the hassle of untangling necklaces or searching for a matching earring.
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Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2023
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I didn’t receive the item and I let Amazon know the item was not delivered. Apparently, they don’t care to follow up with my lost order. Hummm, I wonder how the owner of Amazon would solve this problem.
Omaha, US
★★★★★ 5
Small but nice
Color: green
Cute small jewelry box—
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Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2026
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Catherine Moore
Cuba, US
★★★★★ 5
Perfect travel mate!
Color: Black, Color: Black
I love this small travel jewelry case. It is a great size for a vacation anywhere. I like how everything has a place to keep you well organized. Great value for the money and good quality material. so easy to snap shut and put in your suitcase. Sleek and black color that is classy.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2025
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Christine
Massapequa, US
★★★★★ 3
Closing it when you have a ring.
Color: Black, Color: Black
Its a nice box but the problem i have with it is the middle piece. It does not give enough room if you have a ring that sits high like a cocktail ring. And same if you have a pendant necklace in the necklace area. You have ro really force it closed and i worry that it will put pressure on the items. It would work better without that middle piece for earrings or maybe if it were half the size. Closes fine when its empty but the minute you put a ring in the ring spot that has any kind of height you have to squeeze it shut. Its a good little box that you can put in a safe. Thats why i use it. Just to put my good jewelry in it and then secure it properly in a small house safe. Also ive already had the backs of a few earring pop off when I've opened the earring flap because it all rubs together. .
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Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2026

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