Tolkien Estate Website up & running (well partially) - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Child of the 7th Age · 04-18-2007, 03:04 AM

Lalwende, Davem,

Interesting.....it's certainly a small world. A few years ago I was feverishly hunting for a copy of Alex Lewis's book the Uncharted Realms of Tolkien because it had an article linking hobbits to hedgehogs.

This was before Lewis was selling on e-bay in any shape or form. It was impossible to find his book anywhere in the U.S., either in libraries or on on-line websites. On a whim I contacted Alex Lewis directly and asked him some questions about the book. I didn't know much about him except that he had served as president of the Tolkien Society sometime in the 90's. Out of the blue, he sent me a copy of his book signed by both him and his wife (the paperback Uncharted Realms...not the vastly expensive Tale of Gondolin) and didn't charge me a penny. It's still sitting on my bookshelf.

I was and am blithely ignorant of these behind the scenes things, but I was grateful to be able to get hold of a copy of that book. There is a page up on the Tolkien library site that talks about the privately printed Tale of Gondolin and another similar book they did called the Ruins of Osgiliath. Here.

Have you ever seen the 16 volumes of Nigglings that they also helped publish? What are these like? As I understand it, these are the volumes produced by the creative writing interest group from within the Tolkien Society. I assume these are published fanfictions. Perhaps that is another reason that the Tolkien family is unhappy.

To be honest, I like some of the representations by Ruth Lacon. A close friend who lives in Berkshire sent me a gift of a large paperback book entitled "The Art of Ruth Lacon." She never mentioned any of the very real "problems" that the Estate has encountered, but the pictures themselves were striking---presumably these were from the privately printed books. The illustrations have a strong Persian "feel" that I've never encountered anywhere else.

I have seen Lewis marketing on e-bay in recent years through a bookseller, but never purchased his most recent book called The Foresaken Realm of Tolkien, which also deals with Gondolin in essay form. I'll put in one good word for the bookseller (I'm pretty sure we're talking about the same seller. If not, I apologize but they definitely market the Lewis books now.) I know nothing of their other business dealings, but they are the one and only dealer from whom you can order a copy of The Children of Hurin from overseas signed by Alan Lee for about $35, which is fairly reasonable. They are having a special event/signing in Gloucestershire April 20-24 with Nasmith and Lee present.

I guess the Tolkien world is enough of a fish bowl that it's possible to bump into the same people very easily, even when you live in the hinterlands.

davem · 04-18-2007, 05:50 AM

What AL actually did was take the various versions of the Gondolin story, amalgamate them, 're-phrase' the more 'archaic' language & basically cobble together a 'version' of the story. This is borderline fanfic, yet presented as Tolkien's work with AL merely serving as editor. more here http://www.hobbit.ca/Gondolin-variations.html

Fall of Osgilliath is pure fanfic.

Durelin · 04-18-2007, 04:26 PM

Ah, I was wondering about what that part of the 'answer' was referring to. I've never heard of Alex Lewis or Ruth Lacon. Interesting... I don't think I've ever seen he and his wife's book, either.

Just the appearance of the book screams..."mimicked" or something.

Unique copy number 50 with *full color Ruth Lacon illustration*...it's 'unique,' so of course some fool will pay waayyyyy too much money for it...

04-18-2007, 03:04 AM	#1
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	Lalwende, Davem, Interesting.....it's certainly a small world. A few years ago I was feverishly hunting for a copy of Alex Lewis's book the Uncharted Realms of Tolkien because it had an article linking hobbits to hedgehogs. This was before Lewis was selling on e-bay in any shape or form. It was impossible to find his book anywhere in the U.S., either in libraries or on on-line websites. On a whim I contacted Alex Lewis directly and asked him some questions about the book. I didn't know much about him except that he had served as president of the Tolkien Society sometime in the 90's. Out of the blue, he sent me a copy of his book signed by both him and his wife (the paperback Uncharted Realms...not the vastly expensive Tale of Gondolin) and didn't charge me a penny. It's still sitting on my bookshelf. I was and am blithely ignorant of these behind the scenes things, but I was grateful to be able to get hold of a copy of that book. There is a page up on the Tolkien library site that talks about the privately printed Tale of Gondolin and another similar book they did called the Ruins of Osgiliath. Here. Have you ever seen the 16 volumes of Nigglings that they also helped publish? What are these like? As I understand it, these are the volumes produced by the creative writing interest group from within the Tolkien Society. I assume these are published fanfictions. Perhaps that is another reason that the Tolkien family is unhappy. To be honest, I like some of the representations by Ruth Lacon. A close friend who lives in Berkshire sent me a gift of a large paperback book entitled "The Art of Ruth Lacon." She never mentioned any of the very real "problems" that the Estate has encountered, but the pictures themselves were striking---presumably these were from the privately printed books. The illustrations have a strong Persian "feel" that I've never encountered anywhere else. I have seen Lewis marketing on e-bay in recent years through a bookseller, but never purchased his most recent book called The Foresaken Realm of Tolkien, which also deals with Gondolin in essay form. I'll put in one good word for the bookseller (I'm pretty sure we're talking about the same seller. If not, I apologize but they definitely market the Lewis books now.) I know nothing of their other business dealings, but they are the one and only dealer from whom you can order a copy of The Children of Hurin from overseas signed by Alan Lee for about $35, which is fairly reasonable. They are having a special event/signing in Gloucestershire April 20-24 with Nasmith and Lee present. I guess the Tolkien world is enough of a fish bowl that it's possible to bump into the same people very easily, even when you live in the hinterlands. __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote. Last edited by Child of the 7th Age; 04-18-2007 at 03:15 AM.

04-18-2007, 05:50 AM	#2
davem Illustrious Ulair Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: In the home of lost causes, and forsaken beliefs, and unpopular names,and impossible loyalties Posts: 4,240	What AL actually did was take the various versions of the Gondolin story, amalgamate them, 're-phrase' the more 'archaic' language & basically cobble together a 'version' of the story. This is borderline fanfic, yet presented as Tolkien's work with AL merely serving as editor. more here http://www.hobbit.ca/Gondolin-variations.html Fall of Osgilliath is pure fanfic. __________________ “Everything was an object. If you killed a dwarf you could use it as a weapon – it was no different to other large heavy objects."

04-18-2007, 04:26 PM	#3
Durelin Estelo dagnir, Melo ring Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 3,063	Ah, I was wondering about what that part of the 'answer' was referring to. I've never heard of Alex Lewis or Ruth Lacon. Interesting... I don't think I've ever seen he and his wife's book, either. Just the appearance of the book screams..."mimicked" or something. Unique copy number 50 with full color Ruth Lacon illustration...it's 'unique,' so of course some fool will pay waayyyyy too much money for it...