Fans of PBS’s ‘Antiques Roadshow‘ will want to catch the upcoming El Paso episode, just filmed yesterday in the historic Texas City. From the El Paso Times:

A book by J.R.R. Tolkien and an Andy Warhol pop art collection were among the most expensive items appraised at Saturday’s PBS “Antiques Roadshow” at the Judson F. Williams Convention Center.

“The most expensive item appraised (Saturday) was a first edition of ‘The Hobbit’ with original dust jacket and the signature of J.R.R. Tolkien,” said Judy Matthews, for the “Antiques Roadshow.” “It was appraised at between $80,000 and $100,000.”

[Read more] [Photo on Antiques Roadshow Facebook]

This is the most in-depth interview we’ve seen to date with James Nesbitt regarding The Hobbit and living in Wellington, NZ.

The Hobbit bring Nesbitt to NZ (Sunday Star Times)

Nesbitt is playing dwarf Bofur, one of the 12 companions of hobbit Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), though further details about the production are secret. Nesbitt will say only that his latest project is “an incredible experience. It is a massive, massive project. You can’t believe it when you go down to the studios. I mean, there are all these different stages, there are hundreds of people involved and yet it feels like a family”.

Follow the link for the complete interview [click here]

With the up and coming Blu-ray release of the Extended Edition versions of The Lord of the Rings trilogy (quite exciting!!), here’s the original preview for the DVD release of the Extended Edition to bring us back to why we love these versions of the films. Don’t forget you can still purchase tickets for The Two Towers: Extended Edition and The Return of the King:Extended Edition through the following link. And of course, if you haven’t already placed your pre-order for the Blu-ray set…what are you waiting for?! [EE Screening Tickets] [Pre-Order Blu-Ray]

FOTR EE Extended Edition DVD Promo

Click ‘continue reading’ to see the ROTK Preview and for fun, both converted into classic 3D!
Continue reading “Remember When: Extended Edition DVD Previews”

A Birmingham nature reserve that Lord of the Rings author, JRR Tolkien, visited as a child has undergone a £250,000 revamp. New paths and walkways have been introduced at the reserve, known as Moseley Bog, the Wildlife Trust said.

Tolkien said Moseley Bog had inspired the mystical Old Forest that his Hobbit characters travelled through in the Lord of the Rings. The trust said it wanted to enhance the area with walkways not urbanise it. It is owned by Birmingham City Council and managed by the Friends of Moseley Bog and the Wildlife Trust and was awarded lottery money towards the revamp. More..

 

A celebration of all things JRR Tolkien will be held at Penkridge library to highlight Staffordshire’s local link with one of the world’s favourite authors.

Literary lovers can take part in a guided walk from Penkridge Library across the Teddesley Estate, passing through Gipsy Green where Tolkien’s cottage of 1918 still stands.

Free copies of the book ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ will be given away to participants as part of the celebrations for World Book Night.

Staffordshire County Councillor for Pat Corfield, Cabinet Member for Culture, Communities and Customers, said: “This is a lovely way to spend a Spring day, exploring the area that helped to inspire JRR Tolkien. This is a wonderful and innovative idea from our library staff in Penkridge.”

 

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