Big thanks to everyone who entered the contest run by our good friends at Oscha Slings, to come up with a new Middle-earth design! We hear there were many lovely entries, and it was very hard to make a choice; but we can now announce the winner. Here’s what the folks at Oscha tell us:
‘We’d like to thank everyone who entered the competition, it was wonderful to see the range of ideas and talents! The winner is *drumroll*….
‘Cari Johnston with her (yet unnamed) mirrored depiction of the journey to Lake-town and the Lonely Mountain, from The Hobbit. It’s such a clever design, with so many story-telling elements, that has been well executed to work as a baby sling.
‘We could see a lot of enthusiasm for designs that were already on our list, so hopefully you will eventually get something that you’ve been dreaming of, for instance horses, eagles, and Gandalf!
‘We hope you can agree that Cari is a worthy winner, and that you will look forward to seeing the design woven!’
Congratulations to Cari, and thanks to all who entered. Don’t forget to check out the many wonderful Middle-earth goodies (including face masks!) at Oscha Slings.
One of the newest players making collectibles based upon Middle-earth are the folks over at Iron Studios. They’ve got a ton of stuff coming out, which we will post about soon. Today, we want to talk about their 1:10 Gandalf the Grey statue. This awesome looking Gandalf comes from The Lord of the Rings just before he knocks on Bilbo’s door. This piece is great for those who are on a tight budget, want a nice piece from Middle-earth, and also don’t have a ton of display space. Take a look at the review and go order Gandalf!
Last year we teamed up with the folks at Star Ace Toys to talk about their Defo-Real Ringwraith. Well, we’re pleased to do it again, this time we’re talking about their Defo-Real Deluxe Balrog. This version of the Balrog is stylized, similar to the way the Ringwraith has been done. It’s a very fun twist on one of the coolest Middle-earth creatures. The cherry on top is if you get the deluxe version, you also get a very cool mini Gandalf, so you can recreate Gandalf and the Balrog battling it out on the Balrog’s very own Moria base. The Balrog is in-stock, ready for purchase, from Sideshow Collectibles for $105. So check out the review and then go take a chance on this very cool Balrog.
Yesterday this amazing looking collectible of the Witch-king and Frodo at Weathertop went up for pre-order from our friends at Weta Workshop. Today, only 24 hours later, this statue is already showing as being “low on stock”. So while it won’t ship until March, I would not hesitate in ordering this collectible ASAP, as the 700 pieces in this edition size won’t be lasting long. Also, don’t forget about Weta’s payment plan system making it even easier for fans to snag this superb piece of art.
Calling all creative fans of Middle-earth! Our good friends at Oscha Slings, purveyors of items of great beauty, are holding a contest!
This is your chance to create a unique Lord of the Rings or Hobbit themed design to be woven into a scarf, shawl, baby sling or throw. Whatever realm of Middle-earth inspires you, now is your chance! The only limitation is that it must be book inspired rather than movie inspired. You have a month to create your design; then submit it via the google form below, by midnight BST on 26th July 2020.
To view the existing range and get inspiration visit Oscha Slings. Oscha are looking for a new pattern that they haven’t done before, and something that is clearly iconic of Middle-earth. They welcome entries that have a strong illustrative style, beautiful line work, and creativity! You’ll find more guidance about what makes a good design in the Terms and Conditions at the google form.
Be sure to read the guidelines and Terms and Conditions carefully on the form before submitting your entry! Click here to enter.
The folks at Oscha say they can’t wait to see what you come up with; and we look forward to seeing it, too! Get those pencils out and get doodling!
It has come to light on the Tolkien Collector’s Guide that Harper Collins and Houghton Mifflin have plans to publish a new book titled The Nature of Middle-earth in 2021 containing previously unpublished writings by J.R.R. Tolkien.
The book has been edited by Tolkien expert Carl F. Hostetter who heads the Elvish Linguistic Fellowship. The materials on which the book is based were sent to Hostetter in photocopy by Christopher Tolkien, before his passing, for potential publication.
The details were first released in a catalogue for the Frankfurt Book Fair in 2019. The description, excerpted from the catalogue (page 64), follows.
The first ever publication of J. R. R. Tolkien’s final writings on Middle-earth, covering a wide-range of subjects, and the perfect next read for those who have enjoyed Unfinished Tales and the History of Middle-earth series and are hungry for more.
The Nature of Middle-earth will comprise numerous late (c. 1959-73) and previously unpublished writings by J.R.R. Tolkien on the “nature” of Middle-earth, in both chief senses of that word: both metaphysical and natural/historical.
For Tolkien fans, readers, and scholars interested in learning more about Tolkien’s own views on Middle-earth. It will appeal in particular to those readers who enjoyed Unfinished Tales, and some of the later volumes of the History of Middle-earth. Indeed, many of the texts to be included are closely associated with materials published in those places, and were sent to Hostetter, specifically, in photocopy by Christopher Tolkien for potential publication.
Much as Unfinished Tales forms an unofficial thirteenth volume of the History of Middle-earth, this new book will sit very nicely alongside as an unofficial 14th volume. Of particular note, given the impending Amazon series, are several texts detailing the lands, flora, and fauna of Númenor, and the lives of Númenóreans.
Harper Collins Publishers, Frankfurt BookFair 2019, Fiction Translation Rights
