Previously unseen illustrations produced for The Hobbit by its author, J R R Tolkien, will be published for the first time this week. The paintings and sketches, which were not used when the seminal children’s novel came out in 1937, were recently discovered in the Bodleian Library, in Oxford.
The pen and ink drawings and a series of watercolours, three of which are reproduced here, were discovered by researchers in material bequeathed by the author’s estate to the library in 1979.
They were looking for material to mark next year’s 75th anniversary of Tolkien’s second book. The illustrations, together with the long-awaited film version of the book due to appear in cinemas next year, are likely to stimulate renewed interest in The Hobbit. More..
Lydia writes: TheOneRing.net very kindly posted a press release I submitted on June 20, 2010 entitled ‘British artist, who drew the maps for J.R.R. Tolkien’s ‘The Lord of the Rings’ visits the USA’ and I am writing hoping that you will upload another article.
I am the daughter of Stephen Raw, (said British artist) and have been tasked to promote the limited edition copies of the original maps. Looking on your blog, I am astounded that the real story of the map does not appear to be common knowledge among your readership. In a bid to change this I have written the following article in response to a posting from September of 2010, ‘Why are there no ‘towers of a distant city‘ by Ringer Squire.
This is in part a response to the essay posted on this site in September of 2010, ‘Why are there no ‘towers of a distant city’ on the map of Middle-earth. In his piece, Ringer Squire shares his surprise at how Tolkien, despite his visual talents, failed to use the maps to their full potential, describing them as ‘a rather unsatisfactory use of space’. He explains that his disappointment steams from the idea that Tolkien ‘resisted seeing a map as another excellent way to sub-create a world. [Rather they] were always just organizers: they only echoed the text, they never extended it. They don’t tell us, all by themselves, that further stories exist’ Continue reading “The Lord of the Rings Maps: The Real History”
Many fans have come up to our booth and asked why we haven’t been to previous New York Comic-Con events. Well…for a not for profit site like us, New York is not cheap! So this year, we took the leap and thanks to the help of some great sponsors, we were able to put up a booth, host a panel and host a party! So a special thanks needs to be sent to our major sponsors WBShop.com and The Noble Collection. These two companies made a significant donation to our presence here at the show and we encourage you to return the favor by supporting them. We have also gotten great support from our friends at PEZ and Houghton Mifflin! And we can’t forget the generous donations from our friends at The Tolkien Shop, ThinkGeek.com, EMPIRE magazine, Weta Workshop, and Sideshow Collectibles. If you would like to see us at more events like NYCC in the future, please take some time to tell our sponsors you appreciate their support of the Tolkien community. Please consider them when you are making purchases as well! (If you are in NYC, don’t forget to stop by TheOneRing.net’s booth at the show – Booth 2813)
New York Comic-Con is just around the corner, and fans from all over the east coast will be descending on New York City. TheOneRing.net is proud to have teamed up with the Brooklyn NY chapter of ‘Toys for Tots’ to make our ‘Ringers Take Manhattan‘ party an official drop off for this amazing charity. If you are not familiar with the US Marine Corps ‘Toys for Tots’ program, their mission is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted. Monetary and toy donations will be accepted at the party, as at their booth on the exhibit floor of New York Comic-Con (Booth TBD). For more information about ‘Toys for Tots’ please follow the link. If you are not able to make the party, please consider donating to this worthy cause! [Toys for Tots] [Party Tickets] Please also support our party sponsors WBShop.com, The Noble Collection, PEZ, and Houghton Mifflin!
We are just under a week away from TheOneRing.net’s ‘Ringers Take Manhattan‘ Party! This exclusive event will be held on Friday night at The Speakeasy at the Gin Mill (430 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY). We are proud to be attending NYCC and hosting this party thanks to the support of our sponsors WBShop.com, The Noble Collection, PEZ, and Houghton Mifflin! We are also partnering up with Brooklyn NY Toys for Tots to make the party an official drop off for donations. Our Party Bags (complimentary with each ticket) will feature a beautiful LOTR-themed bag from The Tolkien Shop, the exclusive TheOneRing.net ‘1 Ring NY’ t-shirt and goodies from our sponsors. ThinkGeek.com has also generously given us some cool items for the bag. If that wasn’t’ enough to get you to come by, we are giving away some amazing door prizes. With the purchase of your ticket, you will be automatically entered into a drawing for a year subscription EMPIRE magazine, a Bag End Environment from Weta Workshop, an Aragron Statue from Sideshow Collectibles and other great prizes to be announced! Attending the party will be members of TheOneRing.net staff as well as Hobbit in 5 presenter Simone Boyce, and The Tolkien Professor himself, Corey Olsen! (wwww.tolkienprofessor.com). The party is casual, come as you are, and each ticket includes appetizers, a drink and all the great stuff listed above. Tickets are a limited so secure yours today and see you next Friday! [Purchase Tickets] (Don’t forget to stop by TheOneRing.net’s booth at the show – Booth 2813)
Some news about our upcoming party in New York! We told you that TheOneRing.net will be giving a presentation this year at New York Comic Con, and that we’re also throwing a party in the Big Apple! Tickets went on sale last week and are extremely limited. [Available here]
We’re excited to let you know about some of the prizes we will be giving away at the party. In anticipation of their big ‘10th anniversary’ Lord of the Rings edition, Empire magazine have generously donated a one year international subscription to their magazine. The lucky winner will have Empire delivered direct to their door each month! We’ve got other great prizes as well lined up – details coming soon!
Even if you’re not a grand prize winner, EVERYONE who attends the party is a winner! Each guest will receive a goody bag, which we already told you will include an exclusive TheOneRing.net shirt as well as some goodies from our sponsors including Pez!
Joining us at our party will be new Hobbit in 5 presenter Simone Boyce, and The Tolkien Professor himself, Corey Olsen! (wwww.tolkienprofessor.com)You can expect more surprises on the night – it will certainly be a night to remember, and we hope to see you there! Tickets are only $40 and are selling fast! Buy them here. [Buy Tickets Now!] See you in Manhattan! (Have a Tolkien related business and want to sponsor our NYCC appearance? Contact us)
New York Comic-Con is just around the corner, and fans from all over the east coast will be descending on New York City. TheOneRing.net is proud to have teamed up with the 
We are just under a week away from TheOneRing.net’s ‘Ringers Take Manhattan‘ Party! This exclusive event will be held on Friday night at