As some of you remember a while back I decided to share my collection with you all. Now, I’d like to share a fellow Ringer’s collection who decided that he also wanted you all to see the passion he has for Middle-earth. I hope you all enjoy Eric’s collection and if you would like to share what you’ve gathered after years of collecting don’t be afraid to let us know.
Here’s how Eric describes his collection:
My name is Eric from Maryland, USA. I’ve always had a love for weapons growing up. And so when United Cutlery started making the The Lord of the Rings movie swords and props, I thought it would be a cool idea to one day club our basement and make a Middle-earth themed place to hang out. I started collecting them in 2003. Most of the purchases were made between 2003 – 2006, but it was only about 6 months ago that we finally finished our basement. Until then, my collection was mostly in boxes. When collecting, it was my goal to have a poster of each main character and to have their weapon right beside that poster. In the TV room, we have the “fellowship” section. It showcases the characters at the core of the fellowship, with whatever memorabilia I could collect to represent them. In the gaming section of the basement, I have some of the original theatrical posters as well as an Elven Warrior, Rohan and Sauron sections. Some sections are still a work in progress and I have some room to hopefully grow the collection a little over the next two years. After seeing Elessar’s collection, ( which we really enjoyed viewing ), he invited me to share our collection. I thought it would be a good idea to share how we have celebrated Middle-earth. I hope you enjoy what we’ve done.
One of my favorite moments from The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey was seeing Erebor finally come to life. The whole thing just simply blew me away but the detail and how cool the front gate look, really took my breath away. I’ve been awaiting some kind of collectible to come around and the first one landed this week from our friends at Weta Workshop. Created by artist Nick Keller fans can add The Front Gate of Erebor Art print showing the design of what we would later see in the movie. This print comes in at $50 and is available to ship right now. Don’t hesitate to add this great collectible to your collection!
As we celebrate September 22 and the birthdays of two of our favourite hobbits, Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, we are joining with our friends over at WaterTower Music to give away some special little mathoms – 5 digital copies of Howard Shore’s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Original Soundtrack.
All you have to do is email earl@theonering.net with the subject “Hobbit Day” before midnight EST on September 22.
The official Lord of the Rings online store, at HobbitShop.com, is getting a jump on Bilbo’s and Frodo’s birthday by offering you site wide savings up to 25%, plus free shipping on orders over $75. Save on The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: Extended Editions, or their most popular trilogy: The Lord of the Rings with Exclusive Photo Set. Have all the movies? Visit the site to find the newest additions like the, The Goblin King Battle Lego set, An Unexpected Journey Sword of Fili Full Size Prop Replica and a 2014 Special Edition Calendar, just to name a few. Look forward to seeing you for the celebration! [HobbitShop.com]
UPDATE: Photo of Manu Bennett at the TORn “Hobbit” preview panel.
Gandalf & Saruman at SLCC 2013
SALT LAKE CITY — Once scheduled for a smaller venue in the suburbs, the first ever Salt Lake Comic Con filled Utah’s capital city’s largest convention venue and had it bursting at the seams Saturday. For a time the hundreds waiting outside were not allowed to enter except at a 1-out-1-in rate. Word on the dealer’s floor said it was because the fire marshal closed the space but that rumor was never confirmed.
Reports in the media called the event “record setting” for a first-year convention, and that is possibly true, but such stats aren’t readily available. In any case, it was a massive event with celebrities that included William Kircher (Bifur) and Manu Bennett (Azog) and other pop-culture icons like William Shatner and Adam West.
Azog at Weta booth, Salt Lake Comic Con 2013
TheOneRing.net was part of the fun as well, with staffer (and this writer) Larry D. Curtis (MrCere) attending with the show in his (my) hometown. the SLComic Con invited TORn to present a panel about Smaug and serve on other panels as well, with topics including Fantasy Films, all things Tolkien, Geek Culture and film school.
Bennett and Kircher were kind enough to drop by TheOneRing panel that also included author and TORn friend Paul Genesse. He helped moderate the panel and showed incredible enthusiasm for the material.
TheOneRing also managed a booth on the at time very crowded floor supported by incredible friends at Badali Jewelry and Weta Workshop making its first U.S. appearance outside of the San Diego Comic Con. TORn helped back in a small way to staff the Weta booth and send those with questions about where to purchase The One Ring to Badali’s very nearby booth. Artist David Powell was also kind enough to sign posters of his art for fans.
The Salt Palace Convention Center can be expanded and the SLCC will return next year. TheOneRing.net hopes to be part of the show. Thanks to Dan McBride and Blonde Ninja for their support of the TORn booth. Thanks also to the many financial supports at the event and to Salt Lake Comic Con for letting us be a part of the show. If you attended and would like TORn to return, you can use the contact info here to let them know.
If anybody has images of Bennett and Kircher attending the TORn panel, please send them in! We were busy having a panel and didn’t get any photos.
Inferno from TORn messages boards and two other Utahns
Dave Tremont, Weta, Salt Lake Comic Con
Mom sews family costumes.
Gandalf & Galadriel SLCC 2013
Badali Jewelry
A snake charmer and a dino, SLCC 2013
Bilbo’s Contract, SLCC 2013
TORn shirt at Weta booth
Tauriel’s bow and knives, SLCC 2013.
TheOneRing.net panel, SLCC 2013.
Team Fortress 2 costumes from SLCC
Bilbo’s contract, SLCC 2013
Hobbit man
Posters for sale at SLCC, 2013
Weta booth, Salt Lake Comic Con 2013
Costumes at Salt Lake Comic Con
Comic Book Guy and Otto Mann
Galadriel at SLCC 2013.
Crowds at SLCC 2013
Gnadalf, SLCC 2013
Manu Bennett at TheOneRing.net panel, Salt Lake Comic Con, 2013.
Happy fans get a free Hobbit poster
Badali Jewelry
Dwarf statue, part of the Weta booth at Salt Lake Comic Con, 2013.
Azog at Weta booth, Salt Lake Comic Con 2013
Orthanc, Weta booth, Salt Lake Comic Con 2013
Thorin’s Pipe, SLCC 2013
Gandalf & Saruman at SLCC 2013
Data of Star Trek, SLCC 2013.
Dwalin’s axes named Grasper and Keeper
Tom Bombadil and Bilbo Baggins, SLCC 2013
Tuariel’s knives, Weta booth, Salt Lake Comic Con 2013.
Orcrist The Goblin Cleaver at Weta booth Salt Lake Comic Con 2013.
Bilbo’s contract reporduction
Hobbit kids at SLCC 2013.
Dan and Boomer at TORn booth
Sorceress costume at SLCC 2013
Two Princess Leia at SLCC 2013.
Frankenstein costume at Salt Lake Comic Con, 2013.
As the release of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey in Extended Edition format approaches, Empire Magazine examines whether studios are giving the format their full support. Perhaps what’s on offer in the AUJ EE works as a counter-example against Empire’s critique? Tell us your thoughts!
As some of you remember a while back I decided to share my collection with you all. Now, I’d like to share a fellow Ringer’s collection who decided that he also wanted you all to see the passion he has for Middle-earth. I hope you all enjoy Eric’s collection and if you would like to share what you’ve gathered after years of collecting don’t be afraid to let us know.
One of my favorite moments from The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey was seeing Erebor finally come to life. The whole thing just simply blew me away but the detail and how cool the front gate look, really took my breath away. I’ve been awaiting some kind of collectible to come around and the first one landed this week from our friends at Weta Workshop. Created by artist Nick Keller fans can add 
As the release of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey in Extended Edition format approaches, Empire Magazine examines whether studios are giving the format their full support. Perhaps what’s on offer in the AUJ EE works as a counter-example against Empire’s critique? Tell us your thoughts!