The Collection Grows

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

Alatariel - I have now officially become addicted to collecting those figures! You were correct! They are just so detailed I can't resist them.

Now, one thing I did buy today and can recommend to you folks is a set of 10 Tolkien UK Royal Mail postage stamps, featuring Tolkien's own artwork. They are very nice indeed, very, um, classy (I hate that word). I think they were issued last month. Buy them, they only cost around £2.80! I would scan them and post a piccy but it might be against the law or something.

Lalwendë: I have to say 'I told 'ee so Sam'...Those figures are fantastic, aren't they? I love them.

I don't know if those stamps are available here in the States, but they do sound classy. Why can't our post office issue LotR stamps like other countries do? Maybe we should start a petition?

[davem]

Don't know if anyone's linked to these, but they're still available &, as well as being a good investment, they're very nice:

http://www.royalmail.com/portal/rm/s...&product=AS143

&

http://www.royalmail.com/portal/rm/s...&product=AQ959

[Samwise]

OOOOOO.
Very nice.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CLICK if you dare!

[Gorwingel]

Well, I know it's been a long time, but since the last time I posted here I have been very fortunate to receive the lovely Galadriel Barbie (oh, she is so beautiful, the hair, and the dress is just perfect), the LOTR daily calendar (another must, I do hope they have one next year because I just can't imagine my desk without it), and the Elven frame from the Noble Collection (which was a great surprise, it was something that I just got, but it is quite beautiful, though I haven't been able to find a picture that suits it)

I am extremely selective about what LOTR things that I buy, but I do think that I will consider purchasing Eowyn's sword when it finally comes out

[Samwise]

LOTR daily calendar (another must, I do hope they have one next year because I just can't imagine my desk without it)

I am keeping all of the pictures (save maybe Nazgul and Orcs and the like). I have found that those pages fit very nicely in Polaroid-sized photo pages.

[Morai]

I am keeping all of the pictures (save maybe Nazgul and Orcs and the like). I have found that those pages fit very nicely in Polaroid-sized photo pages.

Good idea! Though I'm still thinking of taking most of the ones I like and posting them on one of the walls in my room. (Most likely the one with the most space left.)

[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 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. 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 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!

[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. (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.

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]

Originally Posted by 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. (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...

Originally Posted by Child

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)

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.



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.