Ostadan writes: Parma Eldalamberon #17 is now available from the Elvish Linguistic Fellowship. This issue is a commentary by Tolkien from the late 1950s and early 1960s concerning the words and names from his invented languages incorporated into The Lord of the Rings. This includes not only the Elvish languages, but Dwarvish, Black Speech (including some analysis of the words in the ring inscription), and the language of Rohan. It has been edited and annotated by Christopher Gilson, with the permission and guidance of Christopher Tolkien and the Tolkien Estate. This 220-page journal is available for $35. [More]
Category: Original TORn
James writes: Around 3 weeks ago, we announced that the Association of Model Engineers in Malta will be organizing its annual exhibition from the 8th till the 16th of September, with the main centre-piece being a massive Helm’s Deep Model. Finally, the day has come!
Today, the exhibition was opened and shall run for the entire week-end and the rest of next week until the 16th. The Helm’s Deep diorama measures 2.5metres by 2 metres by 3.25 metres (triangular). Highly detailed Uruk-hai, Men of Rohan and Elves have been placed to re-created the climactic battle as portrayed in the film. Here are some photos of the model itself.
As was said in the first announcement, apart from the Helm’s Deep diorama, a wide range of models (from Military to Science Fiction and Fantasy) are also being displayed. More photos shall be available soon, but in the meantime, check for updates on the AME website. [a-m-e.org]
Tolkien fans everywhere will soon be able to buy into a legend by subscribing to the public appeal to finance a sculpture celebrating the internationally acclaimed author and his Birmingham roots. From October 1st, courtesy of EBay, fans can bid for a metal leaf with a personalised dedication and associate themselves with this most famous of writers.
The iconic controversial 20 ft high “Ent” will be located on Birmingham’s Tolkien Trail close to where the author lived in Moseley Village, and between his childhood home of Sarehole, later immortalised as “Hobbiton” and the Edgbaston of his youth. The Ent, a benign and friendly tree-like being, is depicted striding across a carpet of metal leaves towards Moseley Bog, the inspiration for the “Old Forest” in “The Lord of the Rings.”
The sculptor is Tim Tolkien, grandson of JRR Tolkien’s younger brother, Hilary. Tim already has a track record in creating landmark public art like his spectacular `Sentinel’ sculpture on Spitfire Island in Castle Vale marking the area’s association with the WWII fighter plane.
The giant statue will be fabricated in recycled stainless steel with bronze and copper coatings. The individually wrought leaves will be embedded into a paving of resin bonded, crushed green glass at the base of the Ent. Tim will engrave each unique leaf with wording of the sponsor’s choosing.
There are a total of 400 silver coloured metal leaves, the first of which has been reserved by The Tolkien Society and some others sold to local patrons on a preferential basis. In addition there are 30 larger bronze leaves for corporate sponsors and private donors,
The Moseley Statue Group who finally obtained planning permission earlier this year has always envisaged an international dimension to the public appeal to raise the £80,000 needed to finance the sculpture. Tolkien is a worldwide phenomenon with readers, admirers and devotees in every corner of the globe.
For those familiar with the EBay worldwide marketplace, buying your leaf couldn’t be easier. Type ‘Ent Leaves’ into the search box, and you will be offered the opportunity to ‘Buy it Now’ on a strictly limited number of leaves. £500 will secure you a leaf, but if you are a risk-taker, you can make an offer – and take a leaf out of Tolkien’s book…
From the Kiwi geeks at WETA (does that make them Keeks? or Kiweeks?).
September Halo promotion announced
Weta illustrated kids book to be launched [Link II]
Rayguns anagram competition
New Rayguns stockist announced
Weta Bug chats to Weta Sculptor
Crazed fan dresses as character from the series
Dr Grordborts wonderful world grows
Making Boils and Bumps
Celebriel wants Ringers in the UK (or elsewhere) to know that there’s a sale of Tolkien’s furniture this Saturday and Sunday in Branksome in Dorset. Stephen Frankel, current owner of the bungalow in which the Lord of the Rings author retired, is selling off the contents of the home before it is bulldozed. Stop any time after 9.30am at 19 Lakeside Road, Branksome. Tolkien lived in the cottage from 1968 until 1972. [More]