Well it was pertinent to the discussion and you omitted to mention it

: : Does this letter not indicate that both Elves and Hobbits have
: : pointed ears?

: No. There was never any description of Tolkien Elves which put pointed ears on them, and at the time the only reference "Elfin" would have for Houghton Mifflin would have been tradition European folklore Elves.

Yes - but Tolkien did not say 'Elfin' - he said 'Elvish'. That was my point. OK, it mightn't have made much difference to HM but it certainly would have to JRRT.