The Collection Grows

[Lolidir]

Around the house i have the most "junk" to everyone else, but my prize possession. Every time i go to the store I always take a stroll back through the toy section to take a look at the LotR action figures.


I have the books about 4 times over including the Hobbit. 2 versions belong to my father and they are the old covers (My sister bought him some mintcondition (first edition if I'm not mistaken) which I hope to come by in my time to come.
I have the complete set of the movies in Extended and not.
I have all 3 soundtracks.
I have Trivial Pursuit, Risk, and Monopoly (which is awesome)
I have about 7 to 8 action figures, the box set including the Mouth of Sauron.
For my birthday last year my sister played a joke and got me all the LotR party supplies possible, which i took to my room and added to my collection.
I have a magazine that i got for buying the movie at BestBuy.
I have all but the Hobbit goames for XBox, and all of them for GameBoy Advanced.
I have a book mark with Legolas on it.
I have a box from Anduril, becasue my friend who bought it was going to throw it away, so i brought it home.
I have a few of the other books by Tolkien. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Book of Lost Tales 1, Farmer Giles of Ham, The Tolkien Reader, Unfinished Tales.

I hope to get the rest of the books eventually, but as of the moment I have no money and will be needing it in the near future. If I had money I would buy the Fighting Knives of Legolas first though. There are just so many things out there and not enough money. Does this annoy anyone else? If only I were rich. I would have no lack of LotR stuff.

[Samwise]

...I actually recieved as a complete surprise a week or so ago. A friend had mentioned that she "saw it" in the store some time ago, and "thought of me", never mentioning, of course, that she'd actually BOUGHT it! ;)

Anyway, imagine my surprise to get a package I didn't expect, THEN to open it and find a copy of There and Back Again, An Actor's Tale , by Sean Astin! :eek:

Haven't had much chance to read it yet, but I will. :D

[Morai]

I hope to get the rest of the books eventually, but as of the moment I have no money and will be needing it in the near future. If I had money I would buy the Fighting Knives of Legolas first though. There are just so many things out there and not enough money. Does this annoy anyone else? If only I were rich. I would have no lack of LotR stuff.
It annoys me at least. It would be nice to have some LOTR related weapons, like a Sting to hang on my wall somewheres....

[Child of the 7th Age]

We haven't heard from Samwise in a while. I had to scramble over to the second page to find and retrieve this collectibles thread.

This topic isn't exactly appropriate for Mirth, but I didn't know where else to put it. (I don't think crying is allowed in this Forum so please excuse if I shed a gentle tear.) This evening I saw a collectible on e-bay that was so extraordinary I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. For a mere $15,000 you can purchase a detailed eight page letter from Tolkien written in 1947 to another professor at Oxford in which JRRT discusses languages and their relation to society. Click here for ebay listing. (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=29223&item=6540113270&rd=1)

The letter is typescript and single spaced and seems to be packed with annotations in Tolkien's own hand. The snippet that they quote from this gem seems intriguing in that it shows Tolkien as being more sympathetic to change than sometimes thought, at least in the sphere of linguistic development.

I always reply that I have no concern with 'correctness' not as an adjudicater or arbiter, which I am not: though, of course, I am interested in the idea of correctness, which is an important and interesting phenomenon in itself. And my advice is always do as you please! Then, if you happen to be in the coming fashion, or can make it, you will become 'correct'. If not, not. And this reply seems as a rule to be sufficiently novel, even startling, to maintain my reputation for wisdom. For the idea that there is somewhere deposited a correct answer on all linguistic questions or divergences that somebody knows (if he can be induced to speak) seems deeply implanted. If the King no longer controls English, then there must be a Cabinet that does. And many people do me the unwarranted honour of supposing that I must be a member. I am not. I am a linguistic historian, of scientific outlook... and a poet.... '

My frustration is twofold. First, I do not have a spare $15,000 to purchase this letter. If I did, I would buy it and donate it to the collection at Marquette or another suitable repository. That brings me to my second frustration. I am an avid collector of many things Tolkien, but there are some collectibles so marvelous and unique that they simply should not be in private hands. ( I would, of course, exclude personal material that remains in the hands of the author's own kin who may choose or not to release such items. As a letter sent to another academic, however, this particular item does not fall into this group.)

This letter may be snarfed up by a well-to-do private collector and that is the last we will ever see of it, never to know what is on those other seven pages. Or, if we are lucky, it will be purchased by a dealer in rare books and manuscripts and will ultimately be resold in a larger venue and perhaps eventually make its way to a library or other public collection.

I guess what I am saying is that something like this belongs in a "mathom house" where anyone can come and read it instead of tucked away in someone's bureau or safety deposit box. The Baggins family obviously understood this when their mithril coat was donated to the local mathom house. ;)

[the guy who be short]

Child, if you're interested, you can click on the photo and read the first page. :D

[Samwise]

Per Miss Child's statements regarding Prof. Tolkien's work:
How very true, Child. :(


My most recent collectible was a book snd to me by a friend. It was

A Hobbit's Travels: being the hitherto unpublished Travel Sketches of Sam Gamgee ~with space for notes~

I fully intend to use it someday, as I am a journalizer (is that a word? Well, if you follow me....)

[Holbytlass]

About a month ago, my husband came home and gave me Gollum. The 'official' movie action figures from RotK. It was the Gollum that is standing on a big rock. There's a button on the rock when pushed he says two phrases. This was really sweet because he (husband) does not share my love of LotR and all things Tolkien.

Today, I got the 'ArtAsylum minimates', they look like Lego figures. The box I bought has Frodo, Gandalf, and Gollum. The other box has Saruman, Aragorn, and Legolas. Each box has a hidden figure inside! You'll have to P.M. me for the secret. ;)

[Samwise]

Today, I got the 'ArtAsylum minimates',
I can't say as I've ever heard of them. :confused: Is there a picture somewhere?

[Holbytlass]

Hope this helps....here (store1.yimg.com/I/cmdstore_1851_8428148).

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child, if you're interested, you can click on the photo and read the first page.

You can believe I did that! :p

The frustrating thing is that they originally had a number of photos up showing the content of the various pages. Before I could get back to reading them, they had been erased from e-bay.

I occasionally post on another "collectibles" site and the resident expert there (a book dealer from England) managed to get copies of those pages before they were taken down, and has offered to share them with others. So I just may drop him a pm.

[Samwise]

Hope this helps....here.
Whoa....those are different! ;) Thank you for the link !

[Enorëiel]

Hey I have one of those! :) I got one around Christmas time - Mine only came With Frodo and an Orc however... I haven't been able to find them since then though.... where did you find yours at?

[Holbytlass]

I found them at Toys R Us.
Enoreiel and Samwise, where did you get those avatars? They are adorable!!

[Samwise]

It's been so long, I don't quite recall. Last time I went to the gal's site though, I seem to remember it being down. :(

[Enorëiel]

Thanks so much Holbytlass - I was so sad when I couldn't find them again to buy the rest of the characters (I orginally bought mine at Media Play)

My story about the avatar is about the same as Samwise's. Sorry - its really been so long. I did have the good idea, however, to download a few of them when I first saw upon them. :D

[Elrian]

I just seen those expensive movie packs with the figures in them (FotR-Argonathbookends, TT- Gollum figure, RotK- Minas Tirith) for $29.99 each at BJ's wholesale club, if anyone was interested and waiting for them to go on sale. Other places may be bringing them down in price too. :)

[Encaitare]

Speaking of sales, I just got a really nice Gandalf the Grey figurine for $5.99 -- if you press the button on the base, he says "YOU... SHALL NOT... PASS... pass... pass..." (that's the echo) ;)

[Lalwendë]

I just seen those expensive movie packs with the figures in them (FotR-Argonathbookends, TT- Gollum figure, RotK- Minas Tirith) for $29.99 each at BJ's wholesale club, if anyone was interested and waiting for them to go on sale. Other places may be bringing them down in price too.

That's a good bargain, especially as the FotR sets are now incredibly hard to find, and often quite expensive on e-bay.

Speaking of sales, I just got a really nice Gandalf the Grey figurine for $5.99 -- if you press the button on the base, he says "YOU... SHALL NOT... PASS... pass... pass..." (that's the echo)

That will be one of the new figures which are coming out bit by bit. That's a good one, but there have been a few scarily poor ones such as 'Eye of Sauron' :( I've finally got a 'Galadriel Entranced' (glow in the dark, wooo ;) ) and I'm looking out for the new Theoden, but the one figure I failed to get and am hunting down is Gil-Galad. I just wish they would bring out a Balrog figure...

[Encaitare]

I saw the Theoden figure in the store as well, but he didn't say anything or do anything special... but since he was the RUI (Ruling Under the Influence) version of Theoden, I guess that's fitting. :p

They've got a Gil-galad toy? Ooh, must keep an eye out for that one.

[Lalwendë]

I saw the Theoden figure in the store as well, but he didn't say anything or do anything special... but since he was the RUI (Ruling Under the Influence) version of Theoden, I guess that's fitting.

They've got a Gil-galad toy? Ooh, must keep an eye out for that one.

They could have made the new Theoden roll his eyes in a 'madman' fashion, that might have been amusing. But doesn't he have any special features? The only two I have which are without weapons or slightly bizarre features are the Galadriel and the Arwen. They must have been slightly disappointing for any kids who got them!

Gil-Galad is great - he has nice blue armour, but a rather strange expression on his face. He is very rare though, so if you see more than one, snap 'em up and get on e-bay. ;)

I bought a nice boxed set of LotR off e-bay a few weeks ago. It's the same editions as the very first copy I ever read, but without the deep creases down the spines, and it has Pauline Baynes covers (as I've now discovered). Unfortunately I also purchased another more modern set (as the covers were very attractive)which is full of printing errors. :(

[Hookbill the Goomba]

I've just had a radical redecorating of my room, in which I found some books I had lost. So in a way, my collection has re grown. I thought I'd take some pictures of my new collection. It's not as impressive as some collections here. But I have two bookcases and a two desks that have my Tolkien related things on / in them.

This is my Primary Bookcase (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/hukbillgoomba/004PrimeryBookcase.jpg), where all the things I am most likely to read are located.

This is the Secondary bookcase (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/hukbillgoomba/003Secondarybookcase.jpg), where all the other books and CDs and DVDs are located.

This is The Desk (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/hukbillgoomba/002Allthoseotherthings.jpg) on which I set all my Tolkien related merchandise.

This is My Other Desk (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/hukbillgoomba/001ComputingontheDowns.jpg) where I travel to the Downs from.

The Books I found were; The Hardback copy of The Hobbit, and Roverandom.

If you are wondering what is going on with the wallpaper, it is this. The room used to belong to a younger sibling, but we swapped rooms for reasons that were complex. We never got around to changing the wallpaper, so I decided to simply cover the football related stuff up with Tolkien posters! :D

[Kath]

Hey Hookbill you want to make friends with me so I can come round and play with all that fantastic stuff! I've been looking for the Trivia Game forever but it seems to have popped out of existence where I live :rolleyes: .

[Lalwendë]

That's a far more impressive collection than I had when I was your age! Even though there was little you could buy in those days in terms of merchandise, I didn't have quite so many of the books - I had to use the library to read the available volumes of HoME as they were so expensive!

I was having a quick (-ish) look on ebay this morning and found this. (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2232&item=6970730062&rd=1) It's a nice edition of LotR which comes with Tolkien's autograph and a funny little doodle he did of what seems to be Gollum! Have a look - it reminded me in a strange way of Homer Simpson. :)

[Hookbill the Goomba]

I actually have no idea where my parents got that Trivial Pursuits game. I just remember getting it for Christmas last year and then I could not find it anywhere I looked for it. *Shrugs* perhaps they made it themselves.

Thanks, Lalwendë. I'm in the middle of collecting the History of Middle Earth series. So far I have 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, and 13 (Index). A friend of mine ranted at me for getting the Index, she called it a "Glorified" Index. :D I like that term. However, I have the American copy of Sauron Defeated, so when I have time and money I'll try and get hold of the UK edition so that the collection looks right!

[Eddit] Did anyone notice the trophy on top of the secondary bookcase? :D It's always been my ambition to buy a trophy mainly because I cannot win one. :p

[Kath]

Yes I noticed the trophy, wasn't there another one by your collection desk?

And Lal I could kill you for showing me that! Do you have any idea how much I want it now!?! However, I don't have the money and so will have to watch it be sold to someone else :confused: .

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Yes I noticed the trophy, wasn't there another one by your collection desk?

It's the same one.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Well, I thought I'd update my collection status;

What’s on the Primary Bookcase;

- History of Middle Earth: complete! :D

- The Tales from the Perilous realm
- Roverandom
- The Silmarillion (black paper back)
- The Hobbit (black)
- The Unfinished Tales (black)
- The Hobbit (Modern classics)
- The Fellowship of the Ring (Modern Classics)
- The Two Towers (Modern Classics)
- The Return of the King (Modern Classics)
- The Lord of the Rings (Gandalf Paper back)
- Fin and Hengist
- Tree and Leaf
- The Monsters and the Critics
- The Letters of J.R.R.Tolkien
- Tolkien: A Biography
- The Complete Tolkien companion

- The Letters of Father Christmas
- Board of the Rings
- The Soddit
- The Sellamillion
- The Hobbit (Hard-back)
- The Silmarillion (Ilustrated eddition)

The rest is pretty much the same as before, save I have more posters, mainly paintings by Alan Lee and John Howe.

[wilwarin538]

I just got two new books from my parents yesterday. "The Essential J.R.R. Tolkien Scorebook - A fan's guide to Middle-Earth and Beyond" by George Beahm and "Lord of the Rings - The Art of The Two Towers" by Gary Russell.

The first one is neat. It has a description of every book/movie writen by/about Tolkien. The second one is very pretty. It has a ton of drawings and scetches from Alan Lee and John Howe, and beautiful costume designs from Ngila Dikson, and a lot more. ;)

They are both very interesting. :D

[Encaitare]

I have new toys! *giggles uncontrollably* I was looking in a toy store with my friend to see if they had any Harry Potter stuff that we could wear to go see the new movie, and happened upon a huge display of LotR figurines. So I now have the Witch-King (with mace-wielding action), Gil-Galad, and Elrond. Hurrah! They look so spiffy on my shelf.

[Samwise]

:eek: WOW. :eek:

[Hookbill the Goomba]

I've got some new things:

- The Lord of the Rings Readers companion
- J.R.R.Tolkien, a Biography
- The Lord of the Rings 50th Anniversary edition
- The Lord of the Rings complete and Unabridged CDs
- Gandalf pipe
- Glamdring letter opener.

[Lalwendë]

I've got some new things:

- The Lord of the Rings Readers companion
- J.R.R.Tolkien, a Biography
- The Lord of the Rings 50th Anniversary edition
- The Lord of the Rings complete and Unabridged CDs
- Gandalf pipe
- Glamdring letter opener.

Which 50th edition did you get? I saw a very nice boxed set of the new hardbacks with a Readers' Companion, in Waterstones, yesterday but alas, the box was damaged! :(

[Morai]

Okay, this is going to be a stretch, but I really don't buy LOTR merchandise very often. So here it goes:

Last night I went to a concert of a band from New Zealand. Turns out that they live about half-an-hour away from where Hobbiton was filmed. "We're about as close to hobbits as you are ever going to get." I bought one of their cds. So indirectly I guess, I added to my LOTR collection.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Which 50th edition did you get? I saw a very nice boxed set of the new hardbacks with a Readers' Companion, in Waterstones, yesterday but alas, the box was damaged! :(

I have seen the Boxed version, but I did not get it. It was a Birthday present and is just the hardback book with all the pretty pictures... well, the pages from MArbulaz (no idea if that is the correct spelling) and the big maps... but all the same... :)

[Lalwendë]

That's a mighty fine birthday present.

The damaged boxed set is still lurking on the shelves of our local Waterstones - I'm hoping it goes into the sale after Christmas as the tear on the binding might be repairable. ;)

[Lalwendë]

Darn it, the damaged box set of LotR in our local Waterstones has not gone into the sale. :(

But anyway...

I bought davem the Lord of the Rings Trivia Game for Christmas, and I can recommend it. It's not the Trivial Pursuit one, this one has artwork by Ted Nasmith, and the questions are set by members of the Tolkien Society and Daeron's Books, and it also has a fun traditional board game element (and is less than half the price of the 'Triv' version!). We found the questions in 'Triv' far too easy, but the ones in this are not always easy, and you can make answering them more difficult if you wish. Plus it looks nice. We had two games of it straight after Doctor Who and really enjoyed it. ;)

[The Saucepan Man]

I bought davem the Lord of the Rings Trivia Game for Christmas, and I can recommend it.Indeed. It is a great game with exceptional artwork and book-based questions. Only problem I have is finding someone willing to play it with me. Mrs Saucepan and I have played a few games, but since I always managed to win ... :rolleyes:

[Mithalwen]

Although a new copy of LOTR would really come in handy (latest set has become deciduous) no joy .. my god-daughter did get a book called "1001 films ot see before you die" in which The Lord of the Rings Trilogy were listed as being in English and Sindarin ... which although true was a little strange somehow...

[Child of the 7th Age]

I also received the Reader's Companion Guide. I had wanted to wait for the 2-volume boxed set, but that doesn't appear to be out yet, at least in the US. I've been waiting two years and couldn't resist so put a bug in my husband's ear. I wonder whether I'll have the patience to actually plough through the thing or just use it for reference.

Other additions....My son got me an older Ballentine edition of Smith of Wooten Major to add to my collection, plus the Tudor Mint statue of Frodo and Galadriel came from a friend.

At least people don't have any problem buying for me, since they know exactly what I like. :D

[Kath]

Hooray! Got new copies of both The Hobbit (desperately needed since 3 chapters fall out when you read it) and LotR. Also got LotR Monopoly which we've already played about 4 times and it was very enjoyable!

[wilwarin538]

For Christmas I got four HoME books. Return of the Shadow, Treason of Isengard, War of the Ring and Sauron Defeated. It was one of the first things I opened,it took my parents a while to convince me to put them down and open my next one. ;)

So my collection is now:

~ The Modern Classics editions of all three LotR and the Hobbit
~ Paperback editions of The Sil and Unfinished Tales
~ a Legolas bookmark, an Aragorn bookmark and a Legolas and Gimli bookmark
~ 2004 TTT calender
~ The Hobbit computer game
~ The Palennor Fields Aragorn action figure
~ A TTT wooden pen and pencil
~ TTT T-Shirt
~ a Legolas poster
~ RotK poster puzzle
~ All three movies in the extended editions(in the very nice box)
~ LotR RotK jigsaw puzzle book
~ HoME(6,7,8,9)

:D

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Christmas this year didn't add to my collection as much as in the past, but still, here be what I didst get.

- The Hobbit Unabridged CDs
- Tolkien: author of the Century, by Tom Shippey
- The Silmarillion White paperback
- The Sellamillion paperback
- The Battle for Middle Earth computer game (which I cannot get to work)
- The Silmarillion poster collection.

And that be it.

[Elu Ancalime]

I have a small collection, but its coming along nicley. Not a wholw lot though.

FotR
TTT }Individual books
RotK
The Atlas of Middle Earth
The Lost Road
The Language of Middle-Earth

TTT for GBA
RotK for GBA
The Third Age for GBA
RotK Extended Version on VHS

The One Ring<-it was only fifteen dolars, nothing special
The One Ring<-this one however, is a silver plated gold inscribed ring. youd be very surprised how i got this.(it was legal :p )

The Two Towers edition Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli action figures

I have also made my own custom LotR legos(i am a huge lego fan, even though im probably way two old for them! i think it would be really cool if LotR and Lego made a deal)
and I like to boast my short sword!
(well its not an LotR sword, its an Iranian sword, but i like to think of it an Easterling's weapon}

And speaking of which have any of you seen the Treebeard w/Merry and Pippen figurine? I was browsing through the local Toy's R Us and i noticed all the Figures on one isle. He's HUGE! And he makes real ent grunting and mumbling sounds :eek:
________
Toyota corolla e70 specifications (http://www.toyota-wiki.com/wiki/Toyota_Corolla_E70)

[Bêthberry]

No books or games for me this year (or tickets to theatre productions), but I did receive a very neat Lord of the Rings (movie) calendar. It's comprised of bookmarks, one for each month of the year, and featuring different actors/characters each month. It was a thoughtful surprise that came neither by sleigh nor by Internet but by snailmail. Now I think I shall have a special bookmark for most of my Tolkien books!

[Lalwendë]

I didn't get anything Tolkien related for Christmas! Though I did get to play that great game of course (the added bonus of buying a game for Christmas is that takes more than one person to play it!), and I was pleased that I chose it, so that was perfectly good enough for me. :D But I did get davem two old 1970s vintage books from ebay. One is "Writers for the Seventies - JRR Tolkien" and the other is "Understanding Tolkien and the Lord of the Rings". Both have superb psychedelic cover art, the latter featuring a bizarre floating profile of Tolkien's head floating across a river, all painted in a Terry Gilliam style.

I nearly had to buy myself a new One Ring as just before Christmas I almost lost the silver one I always wear. We had left the cinema where we'd been to see the Narnia film, and were waiting for a tram to take us back into the city centre. At the back of the platform was a high fence with a large gap at the bottom, and a disused railway track. I rummaged out the tram tickets and swung my bag onto my shoulder and the ring somehow slipped off, and with a sickeningly loud clunk (like in the films), it rolled off into the darkness behind this fence. We couldn't see it anywhere, and then davem climbed over the fence and dropped onto the side of the railway track. Unable to see anything, he made a flaming torch out of some old newspaper he found lying there, so not only was he trespassing but he was also setting fires. :eek: I told him to give up, and that it was lost and then he suddenly spotted the ring. As he climbed back over the fence we got some disapproving looks, but it did provide us with some One Ring based humour for all of...ooh...two or three hours. :D

[Bêthberry]

. . . it rolled off into the darkness behind this fence. We couldn't see it anywhere, and then davem climbed over the fence and dropped onto the side of the railway track. Unable to see anything, he made a flaming torch out of some old newspaper he found lying there, so not only was he trespassing but he was also setting fires. :eek: I told him to give up, and that it was lost and then he suddenly spotted the ring. As he climbed back over the fence we got some disapproving looks, but it did provide us with some One Ring based humour for all of...ooh...two or three hours. :D

You know, Lal, this is not the first time we have been told of a fence-climbing escapade by one of our Downers. And one involving nighttime tresspass!

I think such exploits clearly suggest that there are few fence sitters amongst us. And perhaps more than a few hobbits who hanker after some perilous bonfire pranks. Brandybucks must be in davem's family background, I warrant. ;)

[mark12_30]

I have new toys! *giggles uncontrollably* I was looking in a toy store with my friend to see if they had any Harry Potter stuff that we could wear to go see the new movie, and happened upon a huge display of LotR figurines. So I now have the Witch-King (with mace-wielding action), Gil-Galad, and Elrond. Hurrah! They look so spiffy on my shelf.


**blinks**

Gil-Galad? You got..... Gil-Galad???

...which toy store?

[Lalwendë]

I've found you a picture of Gil-Galad (http://actionfiguresbygofigure.com/product3381.html) - he's one of the nicer figures, even if he does look a bit like Mel Gibson in Braveheart. Quite rare, too, though I got an unboxed one from ebay for only £5. :cool:

I think such exploits clearly suggest that there are few fence sitters amongst us. And perhaps more than a few hobbits who hanker after some perilous bonfire pranks. Brandybucks must be in davem's family background, I warrant.

I think davem may be more Tookish - he lacks any inclinations towards boating so cannot be a Brandybuck. That's more likely to be me, as I am very fond of boats but very, very frightened of fire. :eek: ;)

[Morai]

I've found you a picture of Gil-Galad - he's one of the nicer figures, even if he does look a bit like Mel Gibson in Braveheart.

He does have quite a resemblance doesn't he?

Anyways, I didn't really recieve anything LOTRish for Christmas. Though my mum and I did play LOTR Monopoly LOTR style last night. Every time someone rolls the Eye of Sauron, he/she moves the One Ring to the next property (territory) and moves his/her character only one space. If they land on the same property as the Ring and it isn't owned, he/she can claim it for free. If it is owned, they have to play double rent. Also, when the Ring makes it to Mt. Doom, the game is over. It makes for a quick game.

[Lalwendë]

Indeed. It is a great game with exceptional artwork and book-based questions. Only problem I have is finding someone willing to play it with me. Mrs Saucepan and I have played a few games, but since I always managed to win ... :rolleyes:

Have you got the Lord of the Rings board game? It seems to be one which anyone could enjoy, not just fans of the books. This is the one with artwork by John Howe, that has 'expansion packs' available. We got this today as it looked interesting and as the Trivia Game was a big hit; so we've been trying it out and enjoyed this one too!

For anyone who thinks of getting it (it has Gandalf on the box), it's very difficult to grasp at first, and you will need the rule book to hand for a good while! You might even begin to wonder if you're ever going to get the hang of it, but in the middle of the game, it all dawns on you. Even when you have learned the rules, it is a difficult game so it keeps you entertained and absorbed, as you have a lot of thinking to do.

It is a strategy game, where you have to get to Mount Doom by way of several different boards or 'scenarios'. Game play involves deciding what to do on a turn, to be proactive or to conserve resources or to make moves to save yourself from Sauron, and you also face stiff challenges which can bring the game to a sudden halt. The big twist with this game is that it is non-competitive! You must work together to ensure that you get to Mount Doom, and that Sauron does not get you first.

We played it for a good two hours and were focussed on it all the way through; it looks as though it can be expanded or made more difficult for more advanced players too which is a good thing. Another highly recommended new toy for 'Downers. ;) :cool:

EDIT: This is the game (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/image/19276)

[The Saucepan Man]

Have you got the Lord of the Rings board game?Which one? :D

Being both a Tolkien fan and a board game nut, I have just about every Tolkien-related board game going.

I assume from your description that you mean the co-operative game where the players team up to try to destroy the ring, effectively playing against the game. Yes, it is a challenging game, especially with only two players. Mrs Saucepan and I have not managed to destroy the Ring on a number of attempts. :rolleyes:

If you're interested in LotR-related games, there's more info on that game and others here:

LOTR Risk (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showthread.php?t=3746&highlight=risk)

But this one is the best of all:

War of the Ring (http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/ltr07.html)

:cool:

[Lalwendë]

I assume from your description that you mean the co-operative game where the players team up to try to destroy the ring, effectively playing against the game. Yes, it is a challenging game, especially with only two players. Mrs Saucepan and I have not managed to destroy the Ring on a number of attempts.

That's the one! We got halfway through the Mordor scenario board but then the 'events' caught up and the ring was claimed. :( The only ways I can think of that could get you through this last board is either to have the luck not to draw 'event' tiles too soon (and thus also to have lots of 'Hobbit' cards to move through it quickly) or maybe to save the 'Gandalf card' which allows you to reject an 'event' 'til the very end?

I do like it though. I used to enjoy strategy/sim games on the computer, such as Civilisation, Sim City and the Sims which likewise require more thinking skills than just the urge to win. ;)

The expansion packs looked interesting, though it seems that only the "Friends & Foes" expansion has a board, while the "Sauron" expansion seems to involve a slightly different style of play?

[The Saucepan Man]

The only ways I can think of that could get you through this last board is either to have the luck not to draw 'event' tiles too soon (and thus also to have lots of 'Hobbit' cards to move through it quickly) or maybe to save the 'Gandalf card' which allows you to reject an 'event' 'til the very end?You need a lot of luck. Just when we think we are doing well, a whole batch of Event Tiles seem to turn up and overtake us. And with only two players, there never seems to be enough Hobbit cards. I should imagine that the game is slightly less precarious with more players and therefore more Hobbit Cards. As for the Gandalf cards, well you need Shields for those. But then you need the Shields for other things too. And you need to try and get the other Tokens while still making it through each scenario as unscathed as possible ...

Halfway through Mordor is as far as we have ever got in 10 or so games. :(

Yes, it's a tricksy game, and no mistake.

The expansion packs looked interesting, though it seems that only the "Friends & Foes" expansion has a board, while the "Sauron" expansion seems to involve a slightly different style of play?Tried the "Friends & Foes" Expansion. It makes a nice change, but it mostly concerns foes ( :rolleyes: ) and I still prefer the original game. Haven't tried the Sauron expansion.

... such as CivilisationAh, the best PC game ever devised IMHO. Terribly off-topic I know, but Civilisation IV is gorgeous ... :smokin:

[Lalwendë]

I think it might be worth trying the game with a 'dummy' player or two, just to see if it does make it any easier to complete it... though we will persist with two players just to see if it can be completed that way. Perhaps with more players the Ring-bearer can be left to concentrate on staying in the 'light' while other players can gather up as many Hobbit cards/shields as possible. Or maybe other combinations besides just Frodo and Sam may work?

One thing I cannot quite understand is whether every player has to have all three of the tokens at the end of each round. Also, we could not decide if the Gollum card was worth having or not as it seemed to mean giving up on a lot too, though it meant moves could be done more quickly. Bit like the book really...

[The Saucepan Man]

One thing I cannot quite understand is whether every player has to have all three of the tokens at the end of each round. Yes. They do. :eek:

[Child of the 7th Age]

The "real" Shadowfax is for sale: here (http://horse.classifieds.equine.com/horses/896376.html)

Ths will cost a mere $38,000!

Anyone out there considering a purchase? :D

[Lalwendë]

Last time I tried to get on a horse, it was too big for me to get on from the block, so we took him to a gate nearby. I climbed on top of the gate, holding onto a tree branch for balance, lifted up my leg to get on the horse and he decided to move, leaving me hanging in mid air from a tree branch. I then fell in some nettles.

So, though Shadowfax is a beautiful horse, I fear a pony would be more appropriate to my height. :( Is Bill for sale by any chance?

[mark12_30]

I was considering posting that I had added two live Siberian Snowhobbits to "my collection." It is more precise to say that I have added them to my household. However, the elder of the two snowhobbits is showing the effects of entdraught, and will soon be more aptly described as a woodland elf. (He does love to climb trees.)

[Parmastahir]

I have posted a similar message in other BD threads. So if you get tired of seeing this, my apologies. This thread, per advice of ET, seems the correct one in which to drop this line.

I am interested in a small (it would seem) sub-set of Tolkieniana: the Tolkien calendars. I have been able to catalog and/or collect 182 of them to date. (Who'd a thunk it, eh?) You can see them at:

www.angelfire.com/tn3/tolkiencalendars

Hope you enjoy it and whatever you may collect. I am having a WONDERFUL time meeting other collectors, finding 'new' calendars (unknown to me, at least), and trying to acquire them when I do.

Best to all,

Parmastahir

[Child of the 7th Age]

Thanks so much for this resource. I have also collected calendars down through the years but not in as systematic a way as you have. I certainly had not realized that so many variants existed of the same calendar! I'll have to check mine and see which one I actually have.

Off the top of my head, I can think of just two calendars that I don't see on your list. These are not illustrations of the books, but things from Tolkien's life so I am not sure if you would want them for your collection.

One is "The Real Middle-earth, 2004". It was published by cafepress.com. But it is quite nice and has photos of the various sites and places associated with Tolkien's life, especially those that may have influenced his writings: Perrott's Folly, the Edgbaston Waterworks Tower. Sarehole Mills, etc.

The next year a calendar was published with the very same cover: Discover England's Two Towers, 2005. (I'm not sure about the tie between these two calendars, but there has to be one.) This one was published by the DME Partnership and I originally found it at www.DiscoverMiddleEarth.co.UK, but that no longer exists. Although the covers are identical, the pictures are somewhat different. The reason for the publication is to emphasize that Tolkien never saw the landscape of New Zeeland and that the "real" middle-earth has roots in England, especially the midlands. Some of the photos in this calendar include the surrounding grounds at New Lodge in Stonyhurst College, allegedly an inspiration for the view from Bombadil's garden, the Eagle and Child; the landscape that provided inspiration for the Barrow-downs, etc.

Have you seen these? If I can get my daughter's help later, I will try to scan a picure or two if you are interested.

BTW, I just got the 2006 Elvish Battle Calendar, and I quite like it. What are your most and least favorites of all your collection?

_______________________________

Helen,

My congratulations to you. I hope things work out well.

[Lalwendë]

I'm impressed by this collection, especially as calendars are so often written on or simply thrown away at the end of the year! As with a lot of 'ephemera' this is what makes them even more valuable items.

davem has a couple of the really old calendars, still with their envelopes.

One of these days I'll get round to doing a scan of the Hobbit playbill I have from the production in Liverpool in the 80s... I found it under my bed! The playbill, not the production... ;)

[Lalwendë]

Firstly, we have finally managed to play a game of Lord of the Rings - the Board Game and managed to get to Mount Doom and destroy the Ring! So you see, it can be done! Even though I still suspect we were doing something wrong... ;)

Today I managed to get a set of Lord of the Rings Monopoly for a knock down price. It looks entertaining, especially as it has a special feature which means the games will not take hours and hours to play! But I was amused that the makers of the game must have just used 'copy and paste' from the regular Monopoly rule book to complete the bulk of the rule book for this version! Cheapskates... The pewter figures are nice, and well, it's Monopoly, you can't go wrong. ;)

I've seen a 'plug and play' electronic game in one of the local bargain shops which involves a plastic 'Mount Doom' which you connect to the TV like a console. You then have a wireless plastic sword which you use to fight Orcs and the like - like the PlayStation eye-toy combined with a fighting game. It looked quite amusing to me, but I wondered if anyone had got one of these and could tell me whether it's actually rubbish or not before I think about buying one.

It looks as though LotR film memorabilia is now becoming cheap in the shops as I also got a set of figures containing exclusives for a cheap price (well, cheaper than buying them individually on e-bay anyway...).

[Parmastahir]

Thanks to Child of the 7th Age for the reply about those calendars. I had seen them on ebay in 2004 and 2005. I did not pick them up then because they did not include any illustrations (artwork). That is the same reason that I do not collect the PJ movie-related calendars. That and the fact that there are just too many of them. One can find them from the US, UK, the rest of the EU, Israel, Japan, Australia, etc etc etc. (Did I leave any out? Am certain I did.)

As to my favorites, my top 5 list would have to include:

1. The 1974 A&U signed by Professor Tolkien (more precious than ANY ring to me!)
2. The 1998 Khandlendar done by Alex Lewis (yes, THE Alex Lewis). It is a hoot-and-a-half!
3. The 1990 NOT Tolkien Calendar (Mythopoeic Society). It is a hoot!
4. The 1969 illustrated by Tim Kirk because it is the first one ever and because Tim Kirk sent a copy of it to me (very cool!)
5. The 1973 Ballantine because it's the first of the commercially published calendars. I have a mint (unopened in its mailer that looks like it could be on a store shelf today) copy of it. I have two copies of most of the commercially published calendars: one mint (unopened mailer or still shrinkwrapped) and one for "reading".

I like any of the calendars issued by the various Tolkien societies (including especially Beyond Bree where Nancy Martsch has been a great resource). These were illustrated by non-professionals. I very much appreciate their abilities to put pen to paper and give us their concepts of Tolkien's world.

My least favorites (I'm sorry to say) would have to be those illustrated by Roger Garland (too much fantasy, too little reality even for a fantasy world!) and Rowena Morrell (her human figures are a little too much).

I just updated the website today. In addition to several "new" (not previously listed) calendars, I added a "Calendar of the Month" feature. In it, I will post pictures of all 12 illustrations from one of the calendars. For this first posting, I chose the 2002 ideaLibri from Italy. I did so for two reasons: I like the illustrations by Anton Spazzapan; it is somewhat a rarity (for reasons noted on the website). So it is one that many people may not ever see. If you visit my website and another one 'strikes your fancy', drop me a line and let me know which one you would like to see more of. I'll feature whichever one gets the most "votes". Failing that, I'll grant the request of whomever replies first!

www.angelfire.com/tn3/tolkiencalendars


In addition to the Tolkien calendars noted previously, I also have:

- two paperback sets of LOTR
- a hardback set of LOTR
- The Silmarillion
- the 50th Anniversary edition of The Hobbit
- the 50th Anniversary edition of LOTR
- Atlas of Middle Earth
- Tolkien Bestiary
- Bored of the Rings
- Tolkien Companion
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia
- Set of six Ted Nasmith prints (signed/numbered)

[Child of the 7th Age]

Thanks, Parmastahir.

__________________

Some people have a weakness for calendars, and others indulge in books. I'm afraid I'm one of the latter. I not only collect Tolkien but certain children's books, and I do have a weakness for the Tolkien family tree.

Today I found something on e-bay that combines all those interests This is a first edition of Little Grey Rabbit's Pancake Day by Allison Uttley. What makes this interesting is that it was a gift to Ruth Tolkien from her father Michael Tolkien (JRRT's grandson) Ruth was born in 1982 and is blind. (This info is on the e-bay site, but I was aware of it independently as well.)

There's a handwritten inscription in the book from her father and it comes with a brief letter from Ruth confirming the authenticity and outlining the Tolkien family pedigree as it descends from Michael, sr. I've corresponded with the owner and am fairly convinced that this book is "for real" -- not a fake or anything. Plus it's only a crazy person like me who would want to purchase something like this from several generations removed! A resourceful counterfeiter (and there are many out there) would surely counterfeit JRRT's own sig!

Scroll down and take a look at the inscriptions: Tolkien family inscriptions (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7012677093&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&rd=1) I can't get over how similar Ruth's and her father Michael's handwriting is to that of the family patriarch JRRT. that unique script seems to run in the family! Anyways, I got a kick out of adding this to my collection.

P.S. If there are any more crazy collectors out there, this same seller will be offering other books of this type.

[Lalwendë]

Child, I also spotted that on eBay and was quite fascinated by it, wondering who might be tempted to go the extra mile and buy it. ;)

Another couple of items on eBay I have been watching are a pair of original sketches by Roger Garland (http://http://search.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQsassZrog282). One is for a well known book cover and the other of Tom Bombadil. I like his work as I have a boxed set from the mid 80s which had it on so it brings back memories. I did note that this also seems to be the artist himself who is selling these sketches!

[Parmastahir]

Hello to All -

Added two more calendars to my compilation today: Inklings calendars (Cahill&Co from 1978 and 1979). Drop in, see how many of the Tolkien calendars you have and/or recognize . . . or just see how many there are! Check out the "Calendar of the Month" for March and let me know what you suggest for next month. Thanks.

Parmastahir

www.angelfire.com/tn3/tolkiencalendars

[Child of the 7th Age]

Lalwende,

Those are nice. Your link didn't work, but you can get to one of the listings by this: Garland (http://cgi.ebay.com/Adventures-of-Tom-Bombadil-Tolkien-drawing-R-Garland_W0QQitemZ8777477261QQcategoryZ64205QQrdZ1Q QcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting) Then you can click on his other listings to get to the other one.

I have a feeling the Tom Bombadil listing will go sky high at the last minute. (It's already over $100.) I do have a copy of that book with Garland's cover.

My little book came today. It is truly eery to look at Michael Tolkien's writing--almost like a carbon copy of his grandfather!

[Lalwendë]

You actually bought the book! I hadn't noticed that!

That's nice, knowing it has gone to a good home! :)

The Tom Bombadil sketch is still only £62 in UK pounds, which is not too bad at all, so I'm hanging on to see if it goes over what I'd be prepared to spend, as I do like it. :)

[Samwise]

Howdy!

Well, a couple of weeks or so ago, I was in our local Shire (K) Mart, when I passed one of those little discount racks they have out in the middle of the aisle.

I did a double-take. :eek:

There, sitting forlornly amidst the Barbies and Bratz, was a

LOTR ROTK Dluxe Poseable Sam Gamgee!

You realize of course, being the Sam fan that I am, I just had to rescue him...and hey, $9.99 was a small ransom to pay to get him out of there and safe in my LOTR collection. ;) :D

[wilwarin538]

I just got the book J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography by Humphrey Carpenter. I'm only on page 37 but it's amazing so far.

[Samwise]

Like your Avatar. I think there actually may have been a thread about
"Middle Earth Idol" at one time....unless it's just something I thought of doing, but I doubt the latter... :p

[Samwise]

I was right. it's right here:

Middle-Earth Idol (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showthread.php?t=5489&goto=newpost) :D

[Parmastahir]

Well, it's April and that means a new "Calendar of the Month" featured on my Tolkien calendar website:

www.angelfire.com/tn3/tolkiencalendars

Hope you enjoy this one (and the others). Please drop me a line (via the website) if there is one on the website that you would like to see the illustrations from.

Away from the Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Lalwendë]

I've got hold of a book I've never seen before, even on t'internet - Treasures From The Misty Mountains by James H Gillam. This is a book detailing all kinds of Tolkien 'collectables' including books, calendars, film merchandise, even 60s fan badges etc. It doesn't go into the kind of detail specialist sites go into (e.g. Parmastahir's site) but it's got loads of pictures and is an interesting read for general collectors.

...davem informs me it can be bought through the Tolkien Society website. Now he tells me! ;)

I've also got hold of a two person game in which you have to act as either Gandalf or Balrog and battle it out. I like the way the Balrog counter in the box is non-winged. ;) Lord of the Rings - The Duel (http://http://www.gamesinabox.com/lordoftheringsduel.html) The shop Orcs Nest in London (they also have a website, but I'm not sure if they stock the board games on that) is well worth a visit for board games - they also had War of the Ring, The Hobbit and others, including one based on Beowulf!

[narfforc]

ARRRRRRRRRRRRGH, I,ve just paid £129 for a version of The Hobbit from Oxfam, I could not resist. One of my friends thought I was mad, and told me so as she puffed away on a cigarette, Well that thing is costing you more than money, I replied.

[Parmastahir]

I have been fortunate to catalog three "new" calendars (ones I had not previously discovered). Have acquired two of them and am working on the third. Will add them to my compilation when I receive them. You can check them out at:

www.angelfire.com/tn3/tolkiencalendars

And check out the "Calendar of the Month" feature. Comments on the site are always welcome!

Away from the Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Child of the 7th Age]

Lalwende -

Regarding Treasures from the Misty Mountains.....this must be one of those items more widely available in the U.S. as I purchased mine in a regular bookstore some years ago. The listings are not complete but the colored photos are quite good. Just be gentle with the book, since the pages have a way of detaching from the spine.

[Parmastahir]

if you are interested in the various Tolkien boardgames "out there", you should visit:

http://www.freewebs.com/tolkienboardgamecollecting/index.htm

Its creator (Mike) wrote to me about my calendar site and told me of his. Seems a good example of parallel evolution (for specialized collecting sites). Hope you enjoy it!

Away from the Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Samwise]

Cool site.
Like the Rankin/Bass Bilbo on the homepage. ;)

[Valier]

I just saw samwise posted and it reminded me of a little friend that I have. I guess it's part of my LOTR collection. It's a plant. I named it Samwise Gamtree.....Ok Ok I know it's lame to name your plants,but hey I guess I'm lame. I have a small bust of Sam that I got from burgerking awhile back and he sits in the dirt at Gamtree's stem.

[Samwise]

Aw...I think it's cute. :) Sounds imaginitive to me, not lame. ;)

[Parmastahir]

Happy May to all!

May means a new calendar of the month on my website:

www.angelfire.com/tn3/tolkiencalendars

Have recently added some Finnish Tolkien Society calendars and will soon add a couple from France.

The biggest single change is the format of the site. I put the thumbnails into 10 different lists making the homepage easier to open (faster for those without hi-speed internet access).

Check it all out. Am always happy to hear from anyone!

Away from the Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

If you are interested, I updated my Tolkien calendar website this weekend...

www.angelfire.com/tn3/tolkiencalendars

Finally created a new Calendar-of-the-Month for June. Won't spoil the surprise by telling you what it is! I have been picking out calendars that are somewhat uncommon, and this one certainly is!

Have added a few "new" calendars (recently discovered or catalogued). You can find out which ones in the "What's New" section of the website.

Lastly, Beren suggested a section where calendars are sorted by country or society rather than chronologically. So I did so for a large number of them (excluding the large number of Ballantine/USA and Allen&Unwin/UK - and their successors - issues).

Hope you enjoy! Comments always welcome - especially if you have a discovery to report. Thanks!

Away from the Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Lalwendë]

davem was pottering round the flea market at lunch time today and he found this little beauty (http://www.tolkienbooks.net/html/lotr_-_1_volume_-_1991-present_21.htm) for just £3, that's $5.45 (to be precise). On Amazon it was selling for £115, and its not even available any longer so it would be off to ebay and scary prices under normal circumstances.

I was shocked. I've wanted one of the India paper editions for ages, but never thought I'd get one! :eek: And it's lovely! And it's my presentses too. :)

Thanks be to the good people of this city for wanting to spend 50p on slightly soiled action film DVDs instead of knowing what this book was!

P.S. This is the only edition of LOTR small enough to fit in a pocket because its printed on really fine bible paper.


EDIT

So as not to double post and have bad 'netiqutte' (blee), I've found a link to someone's personal, but utterly fabulous Tolkien collection (http://www.themoment.co.uk/tolkien/index.html). A slightly hushed and overawed 'wow' is in order...

[Hookbill the Goomba]

I recently got The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion. I intend to read it in the next few weeks (Now that the DOOM of exams is over). Which means..

Total Book Count = 139

Tolkien Books Count = 47

I now feel really sad. :D (Patiently awaits some to beat my count with not only flying colours, but colours that exist in five alternate universes) ... (Yes)...

[Child of the 7th Age]

Lalwende -

What a bargain! Lucky Davem and you! I have that book and I definitely didn't pay 115 pounds, but I did pay more than $5.45. :D

I am threatening to sit down this summer and actually inventory my collection. It would be nice to do a gorgeous website, but I'll be happy with a plain old list so I can remember exactly what I have and what I'd still like to find.

I have frequented a lot of garage and library book sales over the years and have sometimes turned up some good stuff. Anyways I think hunting for books can be as much fun as finding them. Plus, you might start looking for one book on a particular subject and end up finding something else you really love.

Hookbill - sounds as if you've made a great start.

[Lalwendë]

I recently got The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion. I intend to read it in the next few weeks (Now that the DOOM of exams is over). Which means..

Total Book Count = 139

Tolkien Books Count = 47

I now feel really sad. :D (Patiently awaits some to beat my count with not only flying colours, but colours that exist in five alternate universes) ... (Yes)...

I'd never have time to do anything else for days if I counted the number of books in our house. My dad referred to our house as being like the British Museum a while back as its stuffed to bursting with books, pictures and collections of 'stuff'. I need a nice garage so I can have a library in it, like Tolkien had, while the car sits rusting outdoors. ;)

There are now at least 14 copies/sets of LOTR alone... :eek:

I have frequented a lot of garage and library book sales over the years and have sometimes turned up some good stuff. Anyways I think hunting for books can be as much fun as finding them. Plus, you might start looking for one book on a particular subject and end up finding something else you really love.

I just love looking for second hand books, but we don't have many places that sell them here. Yet some small towns and villages have loads of 2nd hand bookshops, like Wigtown, Lincoln and Robin Hood's Bay. Still, you find beter bargains if you have to trail round random stalls and charity shops, as they don't necessarily know if a book is worth a bit of money (but avoid Oxfam if you want bargains as they are grossly overpriced).

[Parmastahir]

Happy July to Everyone!

I have updated my Tolkien calendar website with a few additions and the Calendar of the Month feature. That calendar is the 1976 issue illustrated by the Brothers Hildebrandt in respect to Tim Hildebrandt who passed away on 11 June. Check it all out at:

www.angelfire.com/tn3/tolkiencalendars

Would be pleased to hear from anyone with comments or a discovery!

Away from the Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Samwise]

I own 4 LOTR-esque calendars, two regular and two page-a-day.

The two page a days are

1 with all kinds of neat facts about ME and its characters places and history
(special because my father gave it to me, and he's no longer here)
and
2 a movie tie-in calendar, with all kinds of movie shots from the 3 films (from which I collect any Hobbit pictures, especially that of Sam) :D

and the wall calendars

1 The Lord of the Rings Tolkien 2001 calendar Illustrated by John Howe
and
2 Lord of the Rings Return of the King 2004 Movie calendar, which has remained on my wall open to a pic of Sam and Frodo in Mordor (CLOSE UP--makes Li'l Mr. Wood's eyes look REALLY big--as if they couldn't get any bigger) since the beginning of 2005--right next to my replica of Sting. ;)

[Estelyn Telcontar]

At the recent weekend get-together of the German Tolkien Society, I bought the complete LotR recordings by the Tolkien Ensemble.

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000EU1JL0.03._SCMZZZZZZZ_V56997505_.jpg

I'd heard about the various albums so often that I decided to risk buying the complete four CD album - though I'd never heard any of it! It's a fantastic collectible, in a slipcase with a booklet that is actually a full book, complete with the texts and illustrations by - Queen Margrethe of Denmark!! I wasn't aware of the fact that she is a long-time Tolkien fan, and apparently Tolkien himself was familiar with her LotR art and approved of it. It is similar to some of his own.

I have no idea where else this album has been released - the booklet is in both English and German. I haven't gotten around to hearing all four CDs yet, but I've enjoyed them tremendously so far. Not all of the tunes are identical to my own ideas of Middle-earth music, but the singing and the instrumental arrangements are excellent.

There is another long-time Tolkien fan involved - Christopher Lee both sings and narrates on these recordings.

[mark12_30]

Excellent!

I have the first three CDs, which I greatly enjoy (see music reviews (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showthread.php?t=3702))-- there are a few songs which I consider clunkers, but also some which I consider straight from Rivendell or Lorien...

I guess I'd better get serious about buying the fourth CD! I'm especially eager to hear "Legolas' Song of the Sea". Esty, when you do get around to listening to that track, *please* review it in "Music Reviews (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showthread.php?t=3702)." Thanks!

[Samwise]

Nice find ! ;)

[Parmastahir]

It has been a while since I posted. Hope everyone's summer is going well.

I have updated the Calendar of the Month feature on my website. This month's calendar is a particular favorite of mine as I noted on the website. Please stop by! As always, am very interested to hear from you if know of or have any "new" (previously uncatalogued) calendars.

Away from the Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

Hi All -

Wow, things are quiet on this thread. I was the last to post in it a month ago! In any case . . .

Have not catalogued any "new" calendars although the 2007 HarperPrism is out. So will add that one eventually. I did post a new Calendar of the Month for September. Hope everyone's summer was great.

Away from the Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

Fall is officially here. Hope everyone enjoys the season!

Added a "new" (previously uncatalogued) calendar to the website (1991 Laurin/Hamburg). Also updated the Calendar of the Month feature for October. You may check them out at:

www.angelfire.com/tn3/tolkiencalendars

As always, I would be pleased to hear from fellow collectors.

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[mark12_30]

Recently acquired:
A new string for my 30lb/28"dr longbow, which means I can shoot it again now, hooray; and
A recurve, with a 35 lb draw.
Can't hold that draw very long...

[Parmastahir]

Updated the Calendar of the Month feature this morning. Won't spoil the surprise by telling you which one. You'll have to visit:

www.angelfire.com/tn3/tolkiencalendars

Will soon catalog a rather unique 2006 Advent calendar (has Shire coins in it rather than candy!) Best to all.

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

Added some calendars in November and updated the Calendar of the Month for December. Hope you enjoy it!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Child of the 7th Age]

I have been poking fun in the "Coming of Age" thread at the fireplace formerly belonging to Tolkien, which is now available for a mere 250,000 pounds. But I have to admit that I would have loved to scrape up the $20,000 for this one on e-bay, if only to turn around and donate it back to the estate:

Original manuscript of Bilbo's Last Song for sale along with the accompanying painting by Pauline Baynes. (http://cgi.liveauctions.ebay.com/J-R-R-Tolkien-manuscript-of-Bilbos-Last-Song_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ52933QQihZ013QQite mZ230055764285QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW)

I have a very battered poster which is a copy of that painting, and it has to be my favorite illustration of the final scene in the book...in fact, one of my very favorites of all the illustrations from LotR. There is something so soft and gentle about that depiction of Frodo's departure from the Havens with his friends standing poignantly on shore.

It's funny, but my own view is very different that that of the seller. He moans about all Tolkien's manuscripts that are "locked away" in Marquette and Oxford, and rejoices that this one is on the public market. However, my feeling is just the opposite. I wonder if these manuscripts or the painting will ever see the light of day again, or if they will be permanently squirrelled away in someone's private collection.

I have often wondered how the family felt that so many of Tolkien's manuscripts were negotiated away across the pond to Marquette rather than being kept in the UK, which is ideally where they belong. (I say this as a "Yank", and I have similar mixed feelings about the vast number of Egyptian antiquities floating around in both the U.S. and the U.K.) I wonder how this treasure ended up in the hands of what seems to be a U.S. dealer? Perhaps it was sold by Joy Hill's heirs. It's also interesting that Peter Jackson wanted to have this poem sung by Annie Lennox at the end of the movie but was unable to do so, since he lacked proper copyright clearance.

Rather somber thoughts for the Mirth forum, I admit....

[Estelyn Telcontar]

I'm happy to have added three audio versions of Tolkien's works - Hobbit, LotR, and Tales from the Perilous Realm, all BBC productions - to my collection. What a great Christmas present!

[Parmastahir]

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

I have reformatted my Tolkien calendar website in an attempt to make it much less cluttered and easier to use. In addition, there are many new additions (2007 calendars and several new discoveries) and a new Calendar of the Month featured for January. Hope you all enjoy (and use) it!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir


www.angelfire.com/tn3/tolkiencalendars

[Parmastahir]

Hello to all -

Hope your January is going well.

Added society listings for the Tolkien's Ring and Shire Post groups to the website this weekend. Even small societies can issue calendars if they are active and motivated!

Ordered a new one from Tolkien's Ring, and I hope to add a rather rare one to the list soon.

As always, I very much appreciate the support of the many people (here and other societies, fellow collectors) that has taken my personal quest to where it is today!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[davem]

I recently bought some of Michael Tolkien's books off a dealer who purchased his library on his death. Its a six volume set of Gibbon's Decline & Fall of the Roman Empire. Each one has a bookplate with Michael's name & the words 'From Father' on them. The date on each is October 22nd 1959 - Tolkien's present for Michael's 39th birthday.

I know Lal has mentioned this acquisition before, but I just thought I'd make everyone jealous :p

Very odd feeling to own something bought by Tolkien for one of his children & I'm still in awe to think I own something so personal.

As an aside, I recently saw another book owned by Michael on Ebay with an asking price of £300 :eek: - just a random book from his library with no other family connection. My set of six was a third of that price!

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Mr Dave;

I now bestow upon thee, the crown of Geekos the Geeky for you have out done us all. ;)

[davem]

Mr Dave;

I now bestow upon thee, the crown of Geekos the Geeky for you have out done us all. ;)

And I have the guy's email, so I may even buy some more....

seems getting hold of family stuff is not too difficult if you know the right people.

[Thenamir]

Aside from normal stuff (ordinary non-rare books, CD recordings, action figures, etc.) the "jewels" of my collection include the following:

A TTT Gimli action figure autographed by John Rhys-Davies
An oversized movie-marquee-quality FOTR poster, autographed by Wood, Monaghan, Boyd, Astin, McKellen, Lee, Blanchett, Tyler, Bean, Bloom, Rhys-Davies, and Mortenson. I hope to get PJ's autograph on it someday.
A 10'x5' vinyl movie lobby poster from ROTK given to me by the theatre manager as a reward for hosting all 3 line-parties at his theatre and thus bringing in extra crowds
Several replicas of the movie swords
OK, it's not as cool as davem's books, but I like 'em. And I'm not too old to play with my action figures...

[Lalwendë]

Aside from normal stuff (ordinary non-rare books, CD recordings, action figures, etc.) the "jewels" of my collection include the following:

A TTT Gimli action figure autographed by John Rhys-Davies
An oversized movie-marquee-quality FOTR poster, autographed by Wood, Monaghan, Boyd, Astin, McKellen, Lee, Blanchett, Tyler, Bean, Bloom, Rhys-Davies, and Mortenson. I hope to get PJ's autograph on it someday.
A 10'x5' vinyl movie lobby poster from ROTK given to me by the theatre manager as a reward for hosting all 3 line-parties at his theatre and thus bringing in extra crowds
Several replicas of the movie swords
OK, it's not as cool as davem's books, but I like 'em. And I'm not too old to play with my action figures...

Action figures Rule. I'm not ashamed to say that. :D

I had a conker off one of Tolkien's favourite trees - it took a lot of effort and near-illegal activity around the back of Merton College to get it, but I put it away 'safely' and it rotted and I had to throw it out. Still, I can always get another one at the next Oxonmoot...There's a story for life in there somewhere...

I do have a pine cone and a shrivelled conker from near Tolkien's grave which both survived intact though.

Does the Pinus Nigra drop cones? That would be a superb souvenir, to get one of these and actually grow a child of his very favourite tree!

[Parmastahir]

Added some new calendars in January and put up the Calendar of the Month (a little known gem) for February. Hope you enjoy. As always, would love to hear from you about undiscovered calendars. Hope your winter is going well!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Estelyn Telcontar]

I finally got the Tolkien Guide and Companion in the mail! I'd ordered it months ago, and though English books take longer to arrive here, I suspect that the delay might have involved somebody's forgetfulness as well. A reminder elicited immediate delivery. Now, for the time to start reading... :eek:

[Lalwendë]

I finally got the Tolkien Guide and Companion in the mail! I'd ordered it months ago, and though English books take longer to arrive here, I suspect that the delay might have involved somebody's forgetfulness as well. A reminder elicited immediate delivery. Now, for the time to start reading... :eek:

Esty will soon have very muscly arms - those books weigh a ton.

Make sure to tell us all what you think of it. Everyone I've spoken to who has it says it's the Daddy of all Tolkien reference books. Plus it can be 'dipped' into or read in the usual way, it gives you more avenues to explore, you get to learn what those unpublished papers and diaries say, and its intelligently written - I know a contributor and can vouch for the fact that Hammond & Scull took huge pains to make these books accurate.

Oh, and what do you think of the difficult index? That's one drawback, that and the fact that there are no 'headers' on the pages so it's very hard to search the A-Z format. :(

[davem]

I finally got the Tolkien Guide and Companion in the mail! I'd ordered it months ago, and though English books take longer to arrive here, I suspect that the delay might have involved somebody's forgetfulness as well. A reminder elicited immediate delivery. Now, for the time to start reading... :eek:

I think Lal & I were among the first to get hold of a copy - according to a friend (one of the contributors as Lal mentioned) we got ours before the authors got theirs - hes a close friend of theirs & emailed them that we'd got our copy - which apparently came as a bit of a surprise to them! Its an amazing book full of interesting stuff - I discovered that a book I'd picked up in a second hand bookshop just before ('Oxford Renowned') was by a friend of Tolkien's - Leonard Rice-Oxley. Actually that one is quite interesting in itself, & very rare (been out of print since the thirties). Lots of background on Oxford & with some nice colour plates of Oxford in the 20's & 30's, showing the Oxford Tolkien would have been familiar with. It also contains some interesting stuff about Oxford in WWI - an airfield right on the edge of the city, & military training grounds in the parks, with cadets billeted in the colleges.

My favourite quote from the Rice-Oxley book is from a description of one of the buildings at Magdalen College: "Its original, this toy structure, this miniature oddity at which I hope many will on going out of the college take a last, longest, & fondest look, ought to be reserved for an endowed Fellow who should live placidly in it writing nothing but romances & fairy tales"

[Child of the 7th Age]

If anyone has a spare $11,500....you might want to consider this purchase: letter on ebay. (http://cgi.ebay.com/JRR-Tolkien-signed-letter-re-1st-2nd-Ages-hobbits_W0QQitemZ270092361229QQihZ017QQcategoryZ14 428QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting)

[Morai]

If anyone has a spare $11,500....you might want to consider this purchase: letter on ebay.

I think if I actually had that money right now, it be going towards tuition payments. But...yay for wishful thinking?

[Parmastahir]

I added several calendars in February (find them under "What's New") and just posted the March Calendar of the Month. It is the first issue in a series that are personal favorites. Hope you enjoy it!

Spring is coming! I could feel it in the air here today.

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir


www.angelfire.com/tn3/tolkiencalendars

[Parmastahir]

Happy Spring everyone!

It's the first of the month and that means that I have updated the Calendar of the Month feature on my website. April's calendar is a rarity and particular favorite. Recent updates may be found under "What's New on this Website?" You may view it all at:

www.angelfire.com/tn3/tolkiencalendars

Hope you enjoy it! Best to all.

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

Posted a new Calendar of the Month for May this evening at:

www.angelfire.com/tn3/tolkiencalendars

Hope you like it.

Happy May Day!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Thanks once again for the reminder, Parmastahir! I always enjoy seeing the wonderful artwork in the calendars. I assume that the pictures are by different artists, since they vary considerably in style, and would be interested in knowing who painted them - are they Italian artists, or international?

[Parmastahir]

Hello Estelyn -

You are very welcome, and thank you for your post (and visit).

The illustrations were all done by Italian artists:

Maura Boldi, Flavio Brunetti, Ambra Colombani, Andreina D'Ambrosio, Maria Distefano, Gianfranco Dutto, Domenico Franchi, Diego Iaconfcic, Alexandro Maccari, Luca Michelucci, Angelo Montanini

If you wish, I can match the illustrator with the month.

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[The Might]

Ah, Parmastahir! Nice to see you again!
Too bad you have no need for anything German anymore...but if I see some old ones on Ebay I won't forget to mention that.

[Parmastahir]

Hello The Might -

Until I saw the eBay auction for the 1991 calendar, I was unaware of its existence. So all I can say is "I don't know what I don't know!" Therefore if you should happen upon any German language Tolkien calendar, please let me know (either here or via my website). Even if I should have a copy of it, I would still let others know of a goodie. Nice to see you here, too!

I'm hoping to add another rarity (only three copies of a particular calendar were printed) to my collection soon. The current owner has indicated that she would be kind enough to part with it. It's tough to do because it's one of only three copies and because she contributed some of the artwork for it. I can't wait to see it!

'nuff for now!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

Entered a new calendar on my website (http://www.angelfire.com/tn3/tolkiencalendars) this morning. It is the 2007 Henning Janssen Fantasy Birthday calendar. Although issued this year, it is not dated for calendar year 2007 but intended for capturing birthdays (and anniversaries, etc) annually. You may view the illustrations on his website. (http://www.henj.nl/)

Hope you like it!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

I have been able to catalog but not collect a number of commercial Tolkien calendars from Poland. Surprisingly, I have been able to find all of the issues from Parmadili/Polish Tolkien Society even though I am certain that they create many fewer calendars. If anyone can help me to find and collect the Polish Tolkien calendars from Zysk-i-ska and Wydanicto Amber, I would much appreciate hearing from you (either here or via my website Compleat Gyde to Tolkien Calendars (http://www.angelfire.com/tn3/tolkiencalendars)) Thank you!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

Added a rarity to the Compleat Gyde to Tolkien Calendars (http://www.angelfire.com/tn3/tolkiencalendars) today: the 2003 Tolkien's Ring calendar. Only three copies exist. A member (who created an illustration of Old Man Willow for it) was kind enough to part with it.

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

I discovered a Polish website that appeared to have three Polish Tolkien Society calendars for sale. One I had catalogued but not collected, and the other two were new to me. Long story short, I contacted a colleague there who confirmed same, ordered them, and sent them to me. I added the two new ones (2003 Parmadili calendars) to my website today.

Thanks for looking in!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

It's June and that means a new Calendar of the Month feature. Hope you like it.

Happy Summer everyone!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[davem]

I just got an Allen & Unwin FIRST EDITION LotR hardback set for £33.00 including postage & packing!!!!

Ok, its a 1965 11th impression, with a slight piece of the title page of FotR missing & the dust jacket of FotR has some tears, but overall very solid, with maps, & its the original 1954/55 text.

And the moral - keep an eye on Abe Books (or have a very good friend who will keep an eye on it for you!)

[Parmastahir]

Added a new calendar to the website this week. An 18 month, 2007 - 2008 calendar from the Middle-earth fellowship. They only made 25 for members. Made an entry for it but need to get a photo of it (hopefully tomorrow or this weekend). Am hoping to add some from a small European society soon! Hope you enjoy it!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

http://www.angelfire.com/tn3/tolkiencalendars

[Parmastahir]

Added another new (previously undiscovered) Tolkien calendar to my website this week: a variant of the 2006 Polish Tolkien Society calendar. The first few copies of this calendar were printed on yellow paper. The rest of the "regular" issue (perhaps 100 or so?) were printed on white. Was fortunate to add a copy of the yellow version to my collection this week. View this and all other calendars at:

www.angelfire.com/tn3/tolkiencalendars

Thanks for visiting!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

Hello to All -

Hope your summer is going well (and, for those here in the US, that you have a most enjoyable 4th of July).

Put a new calendar of the month up for July. It is a true rarity (only three copies of it were printed).

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Morthoron]

Hmmm...let's see.

*The Dark Elf browses about his study*

I have a first edition (U.S.) set of LotR published by Houghton Mifflin (1954-55), which I bought 20 some years ago and it seems my investment has done better by far than my stocks; a first edition, first printing (U.S.) of the Silmarillion by Houghton Mifflin (1977) -- for $17.50 at a flea market; and most recently a U.S. first edition, first print of Children of Hurin, deluxe edition.

Other than that, I have a set of nine (which is appropriate) theater marquee posters from the 1978 Ralph Bakshi LotR animated film. The interesting thing about these is they were consigned to be destroyed after their theater run and a quick-thinking friend pulled them from the fire (two have scorch marks around the edges!).

[Parmastahir]

Have been fortunate to discover and collect four new (previously undiscovered) calendars in the recent weeks. As soon as I as receive them, I'll post them to my website. You will be able to find them most easily through the "What's New?" link there. Hope everyone's summer is going well!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

Received and created a listing for a 2007 Hobbit calendar from Australia this week. It is an excellent calendar from Colin Williams. The illustrations are great, the production quality is top notch, and it's simply different from all of the others that I have collected. Prior to finding it on eBay, had not heard of this one or its illustrator. Could not find a website or email address for him, so have written to him to find out more about his work. Has anyone here any information on Colin Williams (Annandale, NSW, Australia)? Thanks!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

www.angelfire.com/tn3/tolkiencalendars

[Parmastahir]

Hello to all -

It's August so I updated the Calendar of the Month feature. This month's is another rare one. Hope you like it and that everyone is enjoying the summer.

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

www.angelfire.com/tn3/tolkiencalendars

[Parmastahir]

Discovered (and collected) a previously undiscovered Tolkien calendar. It is a variant of the 1977 calendar published in New Zealand. Check it out at:

www.angelfire.com/tn3/tolkiencalendars

As it winds down, hope everyone's summer was great.

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

Posted the Calendar of the Month for September this morning. It is a German language variant of a particular favorite of mine. Thus, it is somewhat uncommon.

Also added a German language Shire Reckoning calendar to the catalog. It is available in .pdf format from the creator's website.

Hope you enjoy them!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

www.angelfire.com/tn3/tolkiencalendars

[Parmastahir]

Posted the complete collection (18) of calendars from Colin Williams, a recently discovered illustrator, and a newly discovered variant of the 1974 A&U issue from New Zealand on my website today:

www.angelfire.com/tn3/tolkiencalendars

As always, interested in your comments and visits.

Happy Autumn to all!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

Hello to all -

Posted the new Calendar of the Month for October today. It is the first of a series of three calendars from The Hobbit from a recently discovered illustrator. (OK, that pretty much tells you what November and December will be!) You can find it at:

www.angelfire.com/tn3/tolkiencalendars

And the first of the 2008 calendars are out - which you can also find on my website. Hope you enjoy them. As always, would love to hear your comments and/or questions!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

Received the 2008 calendar from Eldalie. You can find it in either the chronological or society listings at:

www.angelfire.com/tn3/tolkiencalendars

As always, would love to hear from you if you have any questions about Tolkien calendars.

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

Updated the Calendar of the Month feature for November. Hope you enjoy the second in this series.

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

www.angelfire.com/tn3/tolkiencalendars

[Parmastahir]

NEW Tolkien Calendar

I have collected a LOT of Tolkien calendars. Now a first for me. I have been working with Ted Nasmith and Jef Murray to create a calendar for Heren Istarion (The Northeast Tolkien Society). Anthony and Jessie, the cochairs of NETS, are having difficulty keeping the Society solvent (without dipping further into their own pockets!) As they have done so much for Tolkien fans (including organizing the '08 MythCon in Connecticut next year) and as I have been wanting to create a calendar, I have taken the responsibility to create this one. All proceeds will benefit HI. Ted and Jef have contributed some amazing illustrations (some of them previously unpublished!) I am working with my daughter (a graphic designer) to lay out the calendar. It will be in the Shire Reckoning format with Gregorian dates, moon phases, and important dates in Middle-earth added. You can check out its cover by Jef (and support HI should you order one) at:

www.herenistarion.org

Thanks!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

p.s. - I am hoping that a plug for this calendar does not offend anyone or run afoul of any forum rules. It is for a good and completely non-commercial cause. (I will certainly abide by any decisions that a moderator may make!)

[piosenniel]

Thanks for the link to the new Tolkien calendar (http://www.herenistarion.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=4&id=51&Itemid=57), Parmastahir!!! Just ordered one; can't wait 'til I receive it.

~*~ Pio :D

[Parmastahir]

On behalf of NETS/HI, thanks very much for your enthusiasm and order! The calendar has not even been laid out yet much less printed and orders are coming in left and right (as that expression goes!) Ted Nasmith sent his artwork yesterday and Jef's arrived Tuesday. I am going to work with my daughter on Saturday to lay it out. I have seen all of the artwork and I am CERTAIN that you will like this calendar. And, as I collect these calendars, I am thrilled that I have some creative control over it and the fact that it will be in the Shire Reckoning format. There have been precious few of those issued over the years.

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Child of the 7th Age]

Thanks again for keeping us up to date on all this. I've also ordered one.

[Parmastahir]

To those who have ordered and those who may, THANKS! Your support of NETS/HI is appreciated. As it is I who will be shipping them out, you may be assured that I will take great care with them.

An update: Ted Nasmith was in the UK this past week and visited with his agent (ADC Books). Andy has burned a CD with the last of the illustrations that we need to print the calendar and posted it on Friday. My daughter and I went over a proof copy of the calendar and made a few edits. So everything is on track to print and start mailing these by early December. I truly believe that everyone who orders one will enjoy this calendar - and not only because I'm involved with it. It is truly a work of art.

Also, was fortunate to collect a some new calendars this month. You can find them listed under "What's New" on my website.

www.angelfire.com/tn3/tolkiencalendars

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

I have posted the Calendar of the Month for December. It is the third in a series titled "Bilbo Baggins and the Fourteen" by Colin Williams.

www.angelfire.com/tn3/tolkiencalendars

Also, please consider supporting Heren Istarion by purchasing one of their 2008 calendars. It will contain illustrations by Ted Nasmith and Jef Murray and be in the Shire Reckoning format. You can check it out here:

www.herenistarion.org

For those that have ordered, we have still to receive the CD with Ted Nasmith's illustrations. It was mailed eight days ago. Even by airmail, I expect it to take 10 day to 2 weeks. Hopefully, it will arrive early next week and we will be shipping the calendar soon after.

Happy December to all!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[piosenniel]

Just got the email that the H-I calendar was being mailed out. Can't wait to have it in my hot little hands and feast my eyes on the pics!!!

[Parmastahir]

Hello piosenniel -

Has your copy arrived? I have received several emails from people whose copies have, and everyone is most pleased (including Jef Murray who contributed a lot of the artwork). From the artwork (which is great) to the layout and production (which is most excellent), I could not be happier with the way that this calendar turned out. I look forward to your comments!

To you and all Barrow-Downs members, my best wishes for a VERY Merry Christmas and happiness and health in the New Year!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[piosenniel]

It did arrive, yesterday! And it was so gorgeous I nearly burst into tears. (I do love Tolkien Calendars & have a small collection of my own. Love your angelfire site, btw!!) I sure hope this will be a yearly offering from HI.

A very Merry Christmas to you and yours & best wishes for a great New Year!

~*~ Pio

[Child of the 7th Age]

Pio & Parmastahir,

I received the calendar yesterday, and my own response was similar to yours. This calendar is a delight....much, much closer to the "spirit" of middle earth than so many others I've seen. I loved the separate pages for midyear's day and overlithe along with the explanation of what these mean.

Thanks so much, Parmastahir, for passing on this information.

[Parmastahir]

I can't tell you how pleased I am with both of your comments. I had thought it an excellent production (from the artwork to the SR format to the production) but was wondering what the buyers would think. The responses here, in other forums, and from several buyers that I know have all been most positive. I hope that it brings you enjoyment all year through.

We do intend to do this again next year. I have one illustrator lined up already. We should be able to get next year's out earlier. The thought to do it only came in the last week of October this year. I think the quality of it speaks much of the efforts of the team that put it together. And we are certainly in the debt of the illustrators (Ted, Jef, and Catherine) who gave us permission to use their works and hi-res files to print from.

Thank you for your support of HI. I am certain that this calendar was a bit (around US$10) more expensive than the HarperCollins Tolkien calendar. But it is rather unique and everything above the printing and postage costs will keep their website and journal going in 2008.

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

A happy eleventy-sixth to the Professor!

[Parmastahir]

Happy New Year, All!

Updated the Calendar of the Month on my website:

www.angelfire.com/tn3/tolkiencalendars

Hope you enjoy this one (a current favorite!)

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Child of the 7th Age]

Parmastihr,

A question about calendars....

I was enjoying your website and clicked on the link for "Hollins design". I didn't realize these elvish calendars were so rare. I have the ones for 2005 and 2006 (not 2004)and have always loved them because they are so unique. I do have a question though.

I understand that the Songs calendar for 2007 will likely not be finished till sometime in 2008. Do you know where to contact to order one once it does come out? The original e-mail address I had does not work now. My inquiry from last year bounced back to me.

[Parmastahir]

Hello Child of the 7th Age -

You are fortunate to have any of the Hollin Design calendars because of their rarity and because they are such wonderful little gems. The care and craftsmanship with which these were created is evident and they are great fun. I find the same in the work of Colin Williams that I discovered only last year. He is wonderful to chat with and REALLY into The Hobbit. In any case, I just wrote to Laithaine (Laura) at the two email addresses that I have for her. I will certainly let you know when (if) I get a reply. There is also the possibility to write to her via the Hollin Design website:

http://hollindesign.com/

But that assumes that she is still working with Alia (Lesley) at that business.

Am pleased that my website is of use to you. That is, after all, why I created it.

Will keep you posted!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

Sorry to report that there will not be a 2008 Hollin Design calendar. Laithaine did write back:

Thanks so much for getting in touch. I'm afraid right now due to other projects we're not making any more calendars. It takes at least 50 or so hours of work each year to pull them together and we haven't had the ability for the last 2 due to personal commitments. If that changes, I will certainly let you know.

We will just have enjoy what they have created and wait for their schedules to free up the time to make another one. I'd say that the "50 or so hours" explains why these are so nice in spite of the fact that they are "pocket" calendars.

Thanks for your question!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

Added the 2008 Sociedad Tolkien Española calendar to the catalog at:

www.angelfire.com/tn3/tolkiencalendars

Hope you enjoy it.

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[The Might]

As usually another fine addition to the collecition, Parmastahir!

I just took a look in the "Worst Tolkien Art" thread also here in M-e Mirth and noticed my post about that Tolkein Calendar with the cat-like Sauron you once showed me.
Maybe you can find the picture of it and post it there as it is in my opinion probably the worst of all Tolkien artworks. :D

[Parmastahir]

is my command. It is done!

Parm

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Parmastahir, I have a request as well: Are there any pictures of Middle-earth characters with musical instruments on any of the calendars? I'm looking for some to illustrate a lecture on musical instruments in M-e, and there is next to nothing to be found. The Dwarves' impromptu concert in Bag End would be wonderful, but I'll be happy to have you point me toward anything at all that could give me images on the subject.

I did look through the lists on your site briefly, but there's so much there that I couldn't find my way to something so specific.

[Parmastahir]

you shall have it. The 1999 and 2003 calendars of Colin Williams contain the following illustrations:

March 99 - Bofur w/clarinet
April 99 - Bombur w/drum + sticks
May 99 - Fili + Kili w/ fiddles
Jan 03 - Dwalin w/ viol
Feb 03 - Balin w/ viol
Mar 03 - Dori + Nori w/ flutes
Apr 03 - Oin w/ recorder (?)
May 03 - Ori w/ flute
June 03 - Bifur w/ clarinet
JULY 03 - THE ENTIRE DWARF BAND IN BAG END!
Aug 03 - Gloin w/ ???

(It is not told what instruments Oín and Gloín played. Mr. Williams portrayed each with an instrument but I can not say with certainty what they are. Shall I ask him?)

The best that I could do is photograph them from the A3 size calendars (larger size illustrations than the A4) and send hi-res files of them to you. How shall I get them to you? I could burn the .jpg files on a CD and mail them to you, or possible email them (assuming large files won't "choke" either of our email services should I send them one at a time). Suggest you contact me via my website and we'll take this off-line. Also, when do you need them? I would prefer to shoot them in natural daylight. But the days are short, so that would mean that I would have to do so on a sunny weekend day (this Saturday or Sunday).

As others have supported me and my quest, it would be my great pleasure to do so for you.

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[mark12_30]

*cough* too bad they can't be, you know. posted for all to enjoy...

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Parmastahir, do you know if those illustrations are from an Australian version of The Hobbit? If so, I might be able to find them online - I have found a wonderful site (http://pblancho.free.fr/) with illustrations from from various international editions of the book. It has several very interesting pictures of the instrument-playing Dwarves there.

If nothing shows up online, I will most certainly contact you for those illustrations - thank you! As to "when" - no hurry yet; the lecture will be held at the Tolkien Seminar in April here in Germany.

Yes, in the book Oín and Gloín are not mentioned as playing an instrument, so it will be interesting to see how they are portrayed. I always wondered if they might simply have been unmusical! ;)

[Parmastahir]

Mr. Williams is an amateur illustrator who has been making Tolkien calendars as Christmas presents for family and friends since 1999. Less than 40 copies of each calendar (same artwork in both the A3 and A4 sizes) exist. His artwork is otherwise unpublished. Therefore, those that I listed are not found anywhere else.

Thank you for the H.O.B.B.I.T.I.S.H. website link. Several fellow collectors specialize in The Hobbit. So I will forward that link to them.

I remain at your service and will proceed when and as you advise!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Child of the 7th Age]

Esty,

Thank you. What a great link. My main goal at this point is to collect Hobbits, both English and international books, and those covers are great. My most recent one is in Farsi.

Unfortunately, the Esperanto buying link doesn't work. I've been trying to track that one down but haven't gotten anywhere. I have a personal interest in Esperanto. My mom, who is 96, was actually supposed to be raised as the "first Esperanto baby". There was even a little blurb in the Times about it. However, that was a little impractical. If she spoke only Esperanto, which was their stated intention, she would have no one to speak with outside the family. My grandma taught her German and English on the side, much to my grandfather's dismay.

[Parmastahir]

In response to mark12_30, you have inspired me to change up the Calendar of the Month feature on my website. What I can do for February is post those 11 illustrations as a theme rather than a single calendar. If I can find close to 12 related illustrations for other themes (for instance, how many depictions of Treebeard are there? Or Gandalf?), it would be fun to compare and contrast the styles of the various artists. Thank you for the epiphany!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

Hello Estelyn -

Found one more. The centerfold poster of the 1977 Tolkien calendar by the Bros Hildebrandt is all of the dwarves, Bilbo, and Gandalf and is titled "An Unexpected Party." You can see it on the Spiderweb Art site:

http://www.spiderwebart.com/productsd.asp?snob=104794

I didn't try this, but it looks like you could download this illustration here:

http://galeria.tolkienianos.com/details.php?image_id=1083

Without a lot of effort (essentially using Google), you could probably several other sources of this particular illustration.

Hope this helps.

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Parmastahir, thanks for the links! I really appreciate your helpfulness! Please do let us all know when you've uploaded the individual pictures by Williams to your site.

[Parmastahir]

I (finally) updated the Calendar of the Month feature for February on my website:

www.angelfire.com/tn3/tolkiencalendars

You can now find the 13 illustrations: the 1977 centerfold by the Bros Hildebrandt and 12 by Colin Williams. In order to do any more of such "theme" Calendar of the Month features, I am going to have to go through all of my calendars and compile a list of each illustration . . . no small task as I have collected about 240 of the 271 calendars that I have been able to catalog! Wish me luck!

Thanks all for visiting.

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

Added a new calendar to the catalog (and my collection): the Pocket (France) "Calendrier 2008 Collector." It has a single Tolkien-related illustration within: "The Fellowship of the Ring" by John Howe. It was a bonus for purchasing Pocket books at Christmas.

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Parmastahir, thank you so much for the calendar illustrations of the Dwarves with their instruments!! I much appreciate the work you put into presenting them, and I shall be able to use them to illustrate my lecture. It's interesting to look at the instruments after reading on the history of musical instruments and figuring out how they were likely to look - historically speaking, a number of the instruments shown are wrong, but since that is one of the aspects I am exploring, it only serves to illustrate my points even better.

[Parmastahir]

Estelyn -

I didn't think that the lo-res images that I posted on my website would be of quality sufficient for your use. If so, fine. If not, I can email the hi-res files to you.

Discovered a new (previously unknown to me) Tolkien calendar: "Calendrier 2002 Tolkien". Issued in France and a unique format in my collection. Find it in the 2002 or French sections at:

www.angelfire.com/tn3/tolkiencalendars

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Estelyn Telcontar]

I've put my 35-year-old Ballantine's red-boxed paperback set to rest; having purchased a lovely black-boxed LotR set in Oxford last year, I still needed to replace my Hobbit. I am absolutely delighted with the HarperCollins paperback I got - it has Tolkien's original dustjacket illustration on the cover. Even the German bookshop saleslady who handed it to me (I was able to order it here with no delay and no problem!) thought it looks much nicer than any of the German translations of the book. It includes nine of Tolkien's own illustrations plus the maps. It also includes the first chapter of LotR at the end of the book - unnecessary in my case, but no harm done.

[Parmastahir]

Hi Estelyn -

Sorry to hear that you have retired your paperback boxset. I have collected a few of the paperback boxsets over the years (including a like new green one - the first boxset from Ballantine) and have first printings of those versions. My reading copies are a set which are dog-eared, wormholed (literally), paint splattered (another story), and taped together (on the spines as the covers were falling off). I can't bear to part with them even though I have other newer and nicer printings of the books. They are like old leather, soft and supple. No matter what copy you read, enjoy!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Oh, I won't ever part with them - for sentimental reasons and the memories associated with them. But in order to be able to keep them for the coming years, I must stop using them on a daily basis. It's astonishing that they lasted this long - I think they used to make even paperbacks better than they bind books nowadays.

[Parmastahir]

Finally updated the Calendar of the Month for March at:

www.angelfire.com/tn3/tolkiencalendars

It's a new one (but not as explained in its entries) for 2008. Hope you enjoy it.

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

Updated the Calendar of the Month feature for April at:

www.angelfire.com/tn3/tolkiencalendars

Hope you like this one!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

Added a 1996 Ediciones Minotauro to the catalog at:

www.angelfire.com/tn3/tolkiencalendars

You can find it in the 1996 - 1998 and Spain listings.

Happy Spring to all!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

Updated the Calendar of the Month feature for May at:

www.angelfire.com/tn3/tolkiencalendars

It's one that I only recently "discovered".

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Morai]

I'm pleased to announce my first purchase of a book written by Tolkien:
The Children of Hurin edited by Christopher Tolkien.

I'm kinda glad I waited a year, I got a hardback for under $20 US at a Target store. :cool:

Perhaps this will be my "gateway book" to more Tolkien works. I hope so. :D

[Parmastahir]

It has been extraordinarily quiet on this thread over the summer. Just a note to see if anyone's around. In spite of the fact that I haven't posted since May, it seems a very short time since I did. Picked up a few calendars over the summer, and the 2009 calendars have started coming out.

Attended MythCon 39 in August. Got the 2009 Tolkien calendar from Ted Nasmith himself and he signed it for me. As he was there, I brought all of the calendars from my collection that he had illustrated and he signed them all for me. It was absolutely wonderful meeting him especially as he permitted us to use many of his works in the 2008 Heren Istarion (Northeast Tolkien Society) calendar.

Speaking of which, we are working to finalize the 2009 HI calendar. We are using illustrations from two new illustrators and Jef Murray has generously done up the cover for it. You will soon see it and ordering information on the herenistarion.org website. All proceeds benefit HI. Because of the 2008 calendar, HI has now made all memberships free.

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

If interested, you can check out the 2009 Heren Istarion/Northeast Tolkien Society calendar at:

http://herenistarion.org

You can find a link to the calendar and ordering info in Main Menu (fourth item in the left-hand column.) Jef Murray has provided cover artwork and sketches. We have two new illustrators this year: Catherine (Kasiopea) Chmiel and Colin (Bungo) Williams. Kasiopea is a well-known illustrator from Poland. Bungo is an amateur (in name only!) from Australia.

I was so proud of the 2008 calendar that I was worried that the 2009 could not possibly live up to it . . . this in spite of the fact that I had lined up Kasia and Bungo as the illustrators (and love both of their works.) I need not have worried. I got a proof of it from my daughter last week and it looks GREAT! I am REALLY happy with it!!

Proceeds benefit HI/NETS. Last year's calendar was so popular that membership in HI/NETS is now free.

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

My daughter and I printed the 2009 Heren Istarion / Northeast Tolkien Society calendar last evening. I will be getting the order list from Jessie & Anthony and posting very soon and posting them next week. So those that have ordered should see their calendars well before Christmas and the New Year.

I think it a wonderful creation (but I am biased in this matter!) Please consider ordering one (at http://herenistarion.org )for your use during the year (or collection of Tolkienalia.) This may be your only chance to see some of Colin William's illustrations. He is an amateur (in name only!) and his work is not well-known.

Thank you!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

For those interested, I updated my website today with the seven 2009 calendars that I have been able to catalog/collect (so far!)

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

Updated my Tolkien calendar website with several new entries: a calendar of photos of New Zealand sites where the LotR movies were filmed; a recently discovered 1994 calendar based upon an iconic 1977 poster. Check them out at:

www.angelfire.com/tn3/tolkiencalendars

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!:D

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[The Might]

Nice calendars as usually, Parmastahir!
Btw, do you know of any free downloadable calendars for 2009?
I remember a German guy did a nice one for 2008...

[Parmastahir]

Hello The Might -

Sorry. I have not discovered any downloadable calendars. But your question led me to put such a search on my "to do" list. One never knows what one will find when doing so. I think the downloadable one that you referred to was the 2007 from Bernd Huber, no?

If your finances have changed ;-) , you may wish to consider getting the 2009 HI/NETS calendar. It's not downloadable. It is a "real" calendar. Just a thought!

Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to you!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[The Might]

Sorry to be a downer (lol, a Downer :D) Parmastahir, but unfortunately no change, so I guess I'll order the Nasmith HarperCollins one for 2009. It's available on German Amazon and it's fairly cheap at that. I mean, so is yours too actually, but adding the send fee it's a bit pricy for me. :(

EDIT: yes, it was Bernd Huber whom I had in mind.

[Parmastahir]

Hello The Might -

Loved the pun! Some people don't appreciate them. But I do!

As this thread is titled "The Collection Grows," it is appropriate to tell you (and others with an interest) of three calendars that I just received and entered on my website. Two (A3 and A4 size) are the annual offering from Colin Williams. The third is also from Mr. Williams. But it is his is first attempt at both full-color illustrations and subjects from LotR. Previously, all illustrations were pen and ink and depicted scenes from "The Hobbit." Colin was generous enough to allow me to feature illustrations from his previous calendars in the 2009 HI/NETS calendar.

www.angelfire.com/tn3/tolkiencalendars

Happy New Year to all!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

Hey The Might!

Check out this downloadable calendar:

http://www.elvish.org/gwaith/calendar/calendar.htm

Don't know if it's what you're looking for. But it is interesting and (apparently) useful. Let me know if you do so. I'm curious about it.

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Enorëiel]

Hey everyone! Wow... it has been way too long since I've been on this site... all the people I used to talk to have stopped posting! Anyways - that was beside the point - I was wondering if anyone has gotten any killer deals on items since Lord of the Rings hype has died off in the real world? It's sad that the majority of them have moved on but I'm glad there is still a fairly large group of us who haven't (nor is ever likely to :) )

[Morai]

Oh, I forgot! My mom purchased an edition of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, which Tolkien edited, off Amazon. I can't wait to read his interpretation of the original Middle English. At the moment though, I'm still working through my collection of T.S. Eliot poems. :o

[Tuor in Gondolin]

Tolkien Calendar 2009 with Ted Naismith
illustrations is quite good, far more
"accurate" and interesting then
the current movie Calendars.

[mark12_30]

I am wishing I had purchased LOTR Risk, and maybe LOTR Monopoly, or some of the other spinoffs. But they seem to have largely disappeared. ANyone seen LOTR Risk cheap lately?

INstead I ended up with LOTR Trivial Pursuit and LOTR Backgammon.

[mark12_30]

...and Stratego. I REALLY wish I'd bought LOTR Stratego.

[Parmastahir]

Just check out eBay (the world's garage sale.) You can find LOTR Stratego there easily. I checked two days ago. There were two auctions and one did not even sell. You could probably pick one up for less than original price if you're patient.

[Enorëiel]

I wish I had picked up LOTR Risk and Trival Pursuit - but I did pick up LOTR Monopoly and checkers when it was around. It looks like we each have one thing the other doesn't mark12_30 :-)

[Parmastahir]

With the addition of the 2009 Elendilion and Parmadili issues to my collection, I have now been able to catalog 300 Tolkien calendars. Thank you to everyone who has helped me discover and collect these. Your support is very much appreciated. You can discover them all at:

www.angelfire.com/tn3/tolkiencalendars

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

After talking about it for the longest time (almost a year and a half), I pushed my son to help me create my new website:

www.tolkiencalendars.com

He designed it when he was in college (fall of 2007.) I had registered the domain name before then. I found someone to host for it me, and got my son to map it to that server. He set up some templates, and I have been spending most of my free time over the last month transferring all of the content from the Angelfire site. I think it is now all there . . . and I have added some content. I am now creating pages with the monthly illustrations. I am using the photos that I shot for the many Calendar of the Month features. I have programmed four so far:

1969 Ken Rudolph

1986 Hobbit Presse

2002 Pocket

2003 Ronnie Sellers (postcard)

I have 23 more that I will create soon. You can access the monthly illustrations by clicking on the year/publisher (which is a green, underlined link for those entries.) Once I get all of those programmed, I will start creating new Calendar of the Month features. Those now appear on the homepage of the website. In this manner, I will someday get most (if not all) of the calendar illustrations documented.

The only thing I need him to add is a visit counter. Then I’ll abandon the Angelfire site. Actually, I think I’ll program a simple link that will take visitors to the new site.

Comments welcome!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

I posted a new CotM on:

www.tolkiencalendars.com

It is an interesting calendar in that it is not supposed to exist!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Estelyn Telcontar]

How interesting, Parmastahir! That is certainly unique as Middle-earth movie calendars go. The new site looks good, by the way...

[Parmastahir]

Hello Estelyn -

Thanks for your comments. I am really happy with the new site (and need to abandon the old one.) It has so much space that I can now add the monthly illustrations. I know of a few sites (such as Rolozo Tolkien's) that have such pages. I have been using all of my spare time to create such pages.

I first learned of the 79 Hobbit calendar many years ago. It was included in a list of calendars compiled by Nancy Martsch et al (Beyond Bree.) A fellow collector sent me photos of magazine advertisements for it. The earlier ad announced its expected publication; the latter showed it would not be issued. I had removed an entry for it from my website based upon the latter . . . and the fact that it had not ever appeared anywhere. Then two years ago, a copy of it appeared on eBay. Two others have materialized since then.

I hope you continue to enjoy the new site.

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

Hello to all -

It has been a while (OK, a long while.) But I have reinstituted the Calendar of the Month feature on my new website:

www.tolkiencalendars.com

The CotM for May is the 2009 Middle-earth New Zealand calendar. My intent is to post these for a month, then create a permanent page upon which to display them. The monthly illustrations from almost all of the previous CotM features can now be found throughout the many entries. Hope you enjoy this one.

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

Created a new Calendar of the Month for June on the homepage of:

www.tolkiencalendars.com

It is probably appropriate given all of the talk about The Hobbit movie. Hope you enjoy it.

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

Created a new Calendar of the Month for July on the homepage of:

www.tolkiencalendars.com

It is a VERY rare calendar, and one this unique in my collection because of the format. Hope you enjoy it and comments welcome!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

Created a new Calendar of the Month for August on the homepage of:

www.tolkiencalendars.com

It is a rather rare calendar (at least in its original envelope.) Hope you enjoy it and comments welcome!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

Created a new Calendar of the Month for September on:

www.tolkiencalendars.com

Hope you like this one!

Happy end of Summer to all.

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Guinevere]

I only just discovered this thread, and am delighted by all these lovely Tolkien-calendars on Parmastahir's homepage. Thank you so much for sharing!:)

[Parmastahir]

Hullo Guinevere -

Thanks for visiting and for your compliment! You are more than welcome for me "sharing" although I created the website to catalog the calendars for myself (and a handful of fellow fanatics!) I am pleased that you enjoyed it.

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

Hello to all -

Updated the Calendar of the Month for Novembre (not a typo!) at:

www.tolkiencalendars.com

Hope you enjoy it. Also, added a page (which is very much under construction still) for the 2010 issues that have started coming out.

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

Hello to all -

Update the December Calendar of the Month on:

www.tolkiencalendars.com

Happy Holidays to everyone!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parm

[Parmastahir]

Updated the Calendar of the Month at:

www.tolkiencalendars.com

Happy New Year to all!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[The Might]

I was actually wondering about your site the other day when I got a 2010 calendar.
Great to see you're still collecting them! Maybe one day there will be an exhibition with your collection, I'd like to visit that.

[Parmastahir]

Hulloo The Might -

It has been a while since I corresponded with you. While I read some of the other threads of interest to me, I don't generally post elsewhere than here. (I much enjoy Crazy Captions!) Am glad to know you're around. Happy New Year to you!

Had some success last year filling in some of the holes in my collection (especially, with the volunteer help of a great Spaniard, four of the Ediciones Minotauro calendars.) And had a wonderful gift from a very talented amateur (in name only) from Australia (one of only two copies of a calendar that he produced, and the first in his new series of watercolor illustrations.) I am very fortunate, indeed, to have met (if only virtually) many most excellent Tolkien fans the world over. It is a rather small world.

Re seeing my collection, I do on occasion set up a traveling display with as many as 40 calendars from my collection. I have displayed them at the annual Tolkien Conference at the University of Vermont and at MythCon 39 in Connecticut. At the latter, Ted Nasmith stopped by and we visited about the calendars. He was particularly interested in the 1990 NOT Tolkien calendar (which had signed by four of the illustrators who were attending that conference.)

Hope you purchased a 2010 Tolkien calendar!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

Hello to All -

Posted a classic for the February Calendar of the Month at:

www.tolkiencalendars.com

With the 2010 issues now catalogued, there are now 320 calendars listed.

Hope everyone is well and enjoying the winter (whether you're in the Northern or Southern hemisphere!)

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

Posted another classic for the March Calendar of the Month feature at:

www.tolkiencalendars.com

Thanks for looking in!

Happy Spring to all!

Away from The (soon to be) Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Pitchwife]

Thanks for posting this, Parmastahir! I find I quite like Kirk's style (except for his hobbits, who border a little too much on caricature for my taste); Smaug and Galadriel are two highlights in this selection for me, but what I find most interesting is the architecture of Esgaroth on the picture for March - I think I can see a nod to Norwegian stave-churches in some of those buildings, but the whole ensemble wouldn't seem terribly out of place in any culture between Scandinavia and Japan (the curving gables!). Beautiful!

[Parmastahir]

Hello Pitchwife -

Am pleased that you visited and enjoyed the 1975 Ballantine. Tim also did the first calendar (the 1969 LASFS issue.) I have corresponded with him and he was very generous with his time and comments (and scanned his copy of that calendar so that I could post the images associated with that entry.) I find that I am drawn to the "Cracks of Doom." The scale is not certain until one notices the tiny figure (Frodo?)

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parm

[The Might]

Just checked the calendar and now I know where the "riddle game" drawing comes from.
I also liked Galadriel and the Cracks of Doom and the Centerfold was nice as well. Not a big fan of the Smaug drawing, just not how I would have pictured him.
Also, is it just me or is Maggot misspelled as Moggot?

[Parmastahir]

It was Ballantine who misspelled Maggot. It's a classic error right up there with the 1999 issue in which Alan Lee's Treebeard was printed upside down! Curiously, the same 1975 calendar was published in Canada by Methuen, and they spelled Maggot correctly! How are things with you? Slowly coming out my winter hibernation. Thanks for looking in.

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parm

[Parmastahir]

Posted a new Calendar of the Month for April at:

www.tolkiencalendars.com

This one is a new (2010) issue. Hope you enjoy it!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[The Might]

Nice one, I especially liked Nimrodel and Arwen and Aragorn. The Entwife is also nicely done, pretty much how I would picture one to look like.

[Guinevere]

I enjoyed these pictures by different hobby-artists a lot.
I am especially pleased to see illustrations of some of Tolkien's "Minor works", like Smith of Wootton Major, Farmer Giles, and Roverandom!

[Parmastahir]

Thank you both for looking in, and I'm glad that you enjoyed them. I also like the Nimrodel illustration (somewhat favoring interpretive illos over literal ones.) And I like "El Puerta Negra." I find the February illo (Sauron's Standard) disturbing. It is apparently the body of Celebrimbor after the battle of Hollin. The subject matter is certainly unique among the thousands found in the many calendars in my collection. But so are those from the minor works that Guinevere noted. Even Fimbrethil is among less than 20 (in total) works featuring Ents in the many calendars.

Happy Spring to you both!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

Updated the Calendar of the Month feature at:

www.tolkiencalendars.com

Here's your chance to walk down memory lane with a calendar that is today somewhat rarely seen. Happy May to all!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

Posted the Calendar of the Month for June at:

www.tolkiencalendars.com

Chose to post this issue to honor the June birthday of Fangorn, a wonderful gentleman and giant in the Tolkien world.

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[The Might]

Nice one as usual!

Mrs. Baynes really did some good work back then, closest surely to what the Professor actually had in mind. I especially like the story of how the two came to work together as written on Wikipedia:

In 1948 Tolkien was visiting his publishers, George Allen & Unwin, to discuss some disappointing artwork that they had commissioned for his novella Farmer Giles of Ham, when he spotted, lying on a desk, some witty reinterpretations of medieval marginalia from the Luttrell Psalter that greatly appealed to him. These, it turned out, had been sent to the publishers "on spec" by the then unknown Pauline Baynes. Tolkien demanded that the creator of these drawings be set to work illustrating Farmer Giles of Ham, and was delighted with the subsequent results, declaring that Pauline Baynes had "reduced my text to a commentary on her drawings". Further collaboration between Tolkien and his Farmer Giles illustrator followed, and a lifelong friendship developed... Later, when she showed him her artwork for a poster featuring Frodo and Bilbo Baggins, the author nodded approvingly and murmured quietly: "There they are, there they are."

[Parmastahir]

Hello to all -

Posted a WONDERFUL new Calendar of the Month at:

www.tolkiencalendars.com

This is a GOOD one!

Hope this finds all well.

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Estelyn Telcontar]

That is one of the most interesting Tolkien art calendars that have been issued! It's certainly a change in style from the more typical illustrations. Nice that you got an autographed copy, Parmastahir!

[Parmastahir]

Hi Estelyn -

As has been said, it's not what you know but who you know. One of the gentlemen acknowledged in the calendar is a good friend of Mr. Blok's. He has also supported my calendar collecting (obsession, what's in a word?) over the years. He got Mr. Blok to sign it and then it sent to me. Many of my calendar are signed (for example, Ted Nasmith, Colin Williams, and the 1990 NOT Tolkien calendar which I got signed at MythCon 39.)

And if anyone is interested in a 2011 calendar, we are working on the next Heren Istarion/Northeast Tolkien Society issue. This one will feature the works of Anke Eismann and Sue Wookey (as well as a cover by Jef Murray who has done all of our covers.)

Thanks for looking in!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parm

[Parmastahir]

Hello to All -

Updated the Calendar of the Month feature at:

www.tolkiencalendars.com

At the risk of spoiling the surprise, it is the 1986 Beyond Bree calendar. It is a rarely seen issue and only the second of their series. I featured this one in anticipation of the issue of their 2011 calendar which commemorates the 30th anniversary of Beyond Bree. Congratulations to Nancy Martsch and all who support this active society.

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

Hello to all -

Posted the October Calendar of the Month at:

www.tolkiencalendars.com

Hope you enjoy it (and can appreciate "the sacrifice" that I made to be able to post it for you!)

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

If you're looking for a Christmas gift for a Tolkien fan, please consider the 2011 Heren Istarion/Northeast Tolkien Society Calendar available at:

http://herenistarionnets.blogspot.com/p/nets-calendar.html

The fourth in this series of calendars, it features another wonderful cover by Jef Murray, illustrations by Anke Eissmann and Sue Wookey, and a specially created centerfold commemorating their 10th anniversary. Net proceeds benefit this official Tolkien Society smial. My daughter and I printed a rather limited edition: only 65 will be available!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[The Might]

Long time no see, Parm!

Nice new 2011 calendars, especially the new Harper Collins one.
Mr. Blok's minimalistic work definitely has something very special to it, very different from the usual Tolkien-related artwork.

[Parmastahir]

Hello The Might -

Yes, it has been a while. I post here (obviously) and frequently in Crazy Captions (to satisfy the humorous side of me.)

Just posted the November Calendar of the Month at:

www.tolkiencalendars.com

It's a favorite because (1) it's humorous, (2) it's rare, and (3) it came from a wonder in and of himself, Dan Smith. He has created calendars (including the 2010 and 2011 Beyond Bree, the M-e Fellowship, and the many Desolation of Smaug issues), Middle-earth travel brochures, and written tales of M-e based upon the lore of JRRT. I am one fortunate traveller to have crossed the paths of so many talented individuals. In the end, that's what is most important to me.

Hope this finds you well!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parm

[Parmastahir]

Hello to all -

Posted the December Calendar of the Month at:

www.tolkiencalendars.com

It is a newly discovered rarity (only six were created.) Happy Holidays to everyone!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

Hello to all!

Hope your holidays were wonderful.

Posted the January Calendar of the Month at:

www.tolkiencalendars.com

It is a classic (and relative rarity) from Beyond Bree. That group celebrates its 30th anniversary in April.

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Guinevere]

Very interesting illustrations. I especially fancy the one for May, in its Egyptian style. (But I guess I have to decipher the Cirth runes to find out which scene is depicted...;))

edit: I managed to read some of the Runes and found it is Eol giving his sword Anglachel to Thingol! To the left are Beleg and Melian. To the right Mablung :D

[The Might]

The calendar is indeed as you, quite unusual in aspect and to be honest a bit too unusual for me.

I agree with Guinevere, that does look very Egyptian! Only lacks a hobbit with hawk's head and another one with a jackal's head. :D

[Parmastahir]

Hi from the Great White North -

Updated the Calendar of the Month for February at:

www.tolkiencalendars.com

Hope you enjoy this one.

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parm

[Parmastahir]

The Calendar of the Month for March is the 2011 Beyond Bree issue. This one commemorates the 30th anniversary THIS MONTH! Congratulations to a vibrant group. Check it out at:

www.tolkiencalendars.com

Many different illustrators, lots of different takes on what the characters and scenes look like. Kudos to Lotho Sackville-Baggins who edited this one.

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parm

[Parmastahir]

Hello to all -

Just posted the Calendar of the Month for April at:

www.tolkiencalendars.com

This one is special to me as I had the great opportunity to work with three very talented illustrators to create it. Hope you enjoy it. Happy Spring to all!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parm

[Parmastahir]

Hello to All -

Posted the May Calendar of the Month at:

www.tolkiencalendars.com

This one is the FIRST 2012 calendar to come out. Admittedly, it's early in the year for a 2012 calendar to appear. WARNING: Spoiler Alert! This calendar is the Jef Murray ALEP 2 Fantasy Calendar. Jef created it and proceeds benefit A Long Expected Party 2 that is being planned. And Jef will sign the calendar that you purchase. You can find ordering information on his website. My copy arrived today. It's very nice and comes in a printed mailing envelope (a nice touch.)

Happy May to everyone!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parm

[Parmastahir]

Happy Summer to All -

Posted the June Calendar of the Month at:

www.tolkiencalendars.com

It is the latest HI/NETS calendar and features the works of Jef Murray, Anke Eissmann, and Sue Wookey. This one commemorates the 10th anniversary of HI/NETS and has a distinctly Middle-earth feel to it (not that the preceeding issues in this series have not!) Enjoy!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parm

[Parmastahir]

Hello to all -

Well summer is over and I'm back in a calendar mood as the 2012 calendars are coming out. So I updated the Calendar of the Month feature at:

www.tolkiencalendars.com

This month's featured calendar is one of a set of rare ones (not many created and extraordinarily hard to find.) Hope everyone's fall is going well!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Parmastahir]

Hello to All -

Updated the Calendar of the Month feature for November at:

www.tolkiencalendars.com

Hope you enjoy it!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parm

[Guinevere]

Some very nice pictures. I always enjoy looking at the calendars, thank you so much for posting them, Parmastahir!

[Parmastahir]

Hullo Guinevere -

Thank you for visiting, and I'm certainly glad that you enjoy the illos. Hoping that you had a wonderful Christmas and with best wishes for a healthy and prosperous New Year,

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parm

[Parmastahir]

Hello to All -

Updated the Calendar of the Month feature for January at:

www.tolkiencalendars.com

Not to spoil the surpise, but thought it appropriate to feature a calendar with illustrations done by JRRT himself as his birthday occurs in January.

Am back after an unexpected hiatus. Had BIG problems with my host/server and was worried for weeks that it had disappeared. But a colleague recovered it, switched hosts, and backed it all up for me. (Isn't it always whom you know rather than what?) For which, I could not be more grateful. It was a wonderful Christmas present!

Happy New Year to all!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Lalwendë]

Time to unleash this one again as it looks as though the great big wave of muck and tat/collectibles is upon us for the release of The Hobbit and my Visa card is begging to be let out and used (especially since the good Doctor Who action figures seem to have dried up now they have finally made a Rory one).

I have already got my mitts on a Hobbit annual (very silly, aimed at kids, but I justified this by thinking that 'grown up' fans will not buy it, so this is a wise investment as the only copies around in twenty years' time will all have kids' jammy fingerprints on 'em ;)). And we have a couple of the new Lego sets (the Gandalf pony cart and Shelob, the others are just too expensive) and the new Hobbit Lego board game.

I am waiting for those action figures though, hoping they are compatible in size with the Lord of the Rings ones. Has anyone over in the US seen any 'in the flesh' yet?

[Guinevere]

I haven't bought anything new, but when clearing out a closet, I came upon the 1974 Tolkien calender (given to me by my brother in 2001, after I'd become a Tolkien fan) and found I can reuse it again now, since the weekdays are matching this year! (I've done this before)
:D