Ah, the renowned lindil !
Can I take it that you are planning to make a guide like this?
I too would appreciate more maps, especially of second and early 3rd age events. Including Tolkien's original sketch maps would be nice too. Battle plans likewise. The atlas of middle earth does this, but the maps often aren't very clear and I've heard they contain errors and omit info from HoME.
As for illustrations, why not rely on Tolkien's artwork? As far as I can tell, its spread through various books so collecting all of JRRT's pictures of Middle Earth in one volume would be great. For other artwork, I'd champion artists such as Ted Naismith. I prefer the 'realistic' rather than the 'fantastical' renditions all too common amongst ME art.
I have the Tolkien bestiary which is good and bad in parts (much like the artwork!). This format is interesting, but perhaps a historical format 'The Illustated History of Arda' for example, would be more appropriate.
Appendices could include lists of names of all the characters with brief details and referencees to the books, family trees and a full tale of the years, perhaps with 'bestiary' descriptions of the races and creatures of ME.
Put me down to pre-order a copy,I guess you'll have it done in a few weeks after finishing off the revised Silmarillion!
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Rumil of Coedhirion
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