We come to it at last… Having celebrated the 20th anniversaries of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring and The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers movies, NZ Post are now marking that same milestone for the third and final film in the trilogy. Some stunning new stamps are available now, with coins due to ship closer to the holidays.
Here’s what their press release tells us:
NZ Post releases final The Lord of the Rings trilogy stamp and coin collection
NZ Post is proud to release special edition stamps, coins and limited-edition prints to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
To be released November 1st by NZ Post, this is the third, and final, of three 20th anniversary collections – having previously released issues commemorating The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring and The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.
NZ Post Head of Stamps and Collectables, Antony Harris says, “Like the previous two special edition releases, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King will be just as popular among Kiwis and international collectors.
“There will be a lot of interest from around Aotearoa, New Zealand, and the world, as this collection marks the final milestone in the history of such an iconic series of films,” Harris said. “The previous two stamp releases have sold across the globe like nothing we had ever seen before.”
The Lord of the Rings is a series of three epic fantasy adventure films based on the novel The Lord of the Rings by British author J.R.R Tolkien.
Harris said, with only eight weeks until Christmas, any items from this final release would make an ideal gift – especially for family and friends living overseas.
The special edition stamps, coins and prints are being released in partnership with Warner Bros. Consumer Products.
The artist behind the stamps and pins is New Zealander Sacha Lees, who began her career at Wētā Workshop working on The Lord of the Rings trilogy as an illustrator, creature designer and airbrush and concept artist.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King 20th Anniversary stamps will be released on Wednesday 1 November 2023. To order and read about the collection visit collectables.nzpost.co.nz
Once again, these products from NZ Post are stunning. The eagle (or elf!) eyed among you may notice that these stamps also contain ‘hidden messages’ – keys lines from the movies, somewhere in each image. The coins are equally beautiful; you can see the Beacons and Meduseld ones below. There is also a Gondor coin, and one showing Gandalf crowning Aragorn, the returned king. See these, and take a closer looks at all these fabulous pieces, by visiting NZ Post’s website now.
It seems impossible that this coming December, it will be twenty years since Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers was released. But here we are, twenty years on – and as they did for the anniversary of The Fellowship of the Ring, NZ Post is celebrating with some very special stamps and pins. Here’s what their press release tells us:
NZ Post releases The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers stamps
NZ Post is proud to release special edition stamps and lapel pins to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. This is the second of three 20th anniversary collections to be released by NZ Post – with The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring stamps and coins issued last September.
NZ Post Head of Stamps and Collectables Antony Harris says The Two Towers stamps and pins will be very popular among Kiwis and international collectors. “There will be a lot of interest from around Aotearoa New Zealand and the world as this collection marks another milestone in the history of such an iconic series of films,” Harris said.
The special edition stamps and pins are being released in partnership with Warner Bros. Consumer Products.
Harris also said the majority of last year’s The Fellowship of the Ring stamp and coin collections were snapped up by new customers from overseas. “These sold across the globe like nothing we had ever seen before.”
For the first time this year, NZ Post has also released enamel lapel pins with designs featuring Gollum, the Eye of Sauron and Mount Doom.
The artist behind the stamps and pins is New Zealander Sacha Lees, who began her career at Wētā Workshop working on The Lord of the Rings trilogy as an illustrator, creature designer and airbrush and concept artist.
This year’s stamps not only feature hand-painted scenes from the film, but special text hidden within the illustrations. As a special treat for the most ardent fans, this year Lees has also created a unique The Lord of the Rings trilogy poster that stands apart from the stamp designs and includes various images and messaged hidden in UV ink.
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers 20th Anniversary stamps will be released on Wednesday 7 September 2022, with additional products to come later in the year. To order and read about the collection visit www.collectables.nzpost.co.nz
As ever with NZ Post, these products are beautiful – and the hidden messages are such an amazing feature! You can snap up these fabulous collectibles by visiting NZ Post’s website now – don’t miss out!
UPDATE: The latest batch of tickets have now been claimed, and those who received them have been emailed. Should any more happen to become available, we’ll let you know here on the homepage!
Earlier this week, we brought you our round up of all the Middle-earth related happenings you can expect at San Diego Comic-con this year; and we revealed that we are co-hosting a party on Friday 22nd July – open to all; you don’t have to have a SDCC badge to attend.
This is a Prime Video event which they have invited TORn to host with them. The Eventbrite for this private gathering launched on Wednesday – and as we were about to post about it here, the tickets were already gone, in under five minutes! We were stunned but excited – it’s great to know that the fandom is alive and well!
Whilst we’ve had lots of messages from folks who are thrilled to be going, we know that many people were disappointed to miss out in the flurry to grab tickets. So we are very happy to let you know we were able to get hold of some more tickets for this exclusive event! (Thanks, Prime Video!)
To be in with a chance to claim one of these tickets, simply fill in the form at this link. You’ll need to give first and last name (as shown on ID you’ll bring to gain access to the party), and an email address. You’ll also have the option to fill in details for ONE other person.
The form will be open for a limited time, from 11am ET this morning. Once it closes, we will then pick at random from all the sign ups received, and add those folks to the Eventbrite. If you receive a confirmation email from Eventbrite, you’ll know you were one of the lucky ones!
Please note – there is no wait list for this event. ONLY people confirmed via Eventbrite will be admitted (with the appropriate ID and Covid information – see the Eventbrite for details on that). So please don’t be the half of the Shire who show up anyway; sadly, we won’t be able to let you in.
Anyone who signed up via the Eventbrite on Wednesday who used the same name for more than one ticket, please note – as per the information on the event, and in the emails sent out, those duplicates in the same name have been deleted. Each ticket must be in a different name! So, check carefully that you have the Eventbrite tickets you think you have! And if you’re signing up via this form today, you’re only on the party list if you later receive an Eventbrite confirmation email.
We wish we could hold a party of special magnificence for all of fandom! But we’re honoured that Prime Video have allowed us to join them at this event, and we can’t wait to see those of you who do get to join us there. Click here to be in with a chance to be added to that list!
SDCC is back! TheOneRing.net celebrates the past, present & future of LOTR with a look back at the Oscar-winning The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and a look forward to the upcoming The Rings of Power from Prime Video. Here are all the panels, booths and events for Middle-earth fans going to SDCC 2022:
TheOneRing.net official Booth #1220
Panel 1 – TORn Updates on everything LOTR, Thursday 10:30am Room 6BCF
Hall H The Rings of Power, Friday 10:30am
TORn and Prime Video’s Middle-earth Moot, Friday 5pm
Panel 2 – Second Age Lore, Sunday 1:30pm Room 6A
Exclusive LOTR merch all weekend
All SDCC badges are branded RINGS OF POWER. pic from SDCCblog.com
The Rings of Power off-site experience? – no confirmation of a LOTR experience, but there are persistent rumors. Be on the lookout for more news!
Meet Jed Brophy all weekend at TheOneRing.net booth 1220!
Excited to have the multi-talented actor in LOTR & Hobbit, direct from New Zealand for signings and greetings.
Thursday
10:30am, Room 6BCF – Huge all-encompassing LORD OF THE RINGS panel will cover the 20th Anniversary Celebrations of the New Line films, their upcoming “The War of the Rohirrim,” Amazon Prime’s “The Rings of Power” TV show, new video games focused on Gollum & Dwarves, and new books from the Tolkien Estate. There are some very special exclusive things in store that attendees will not want to miss. Add this panel to your SDCC Official App schedule here.
That Same Afternoon – You’ll want to queue up for Hall H wristbands on Thursday to ensure entry to the next morning’s THE RINGS OF POWER panel. Here’s a good post at SDCC Blog on how Hall H wristbands work.
Friday
10:30am – 12noon, room Hall H – Prime Video presents THE RINGS OF POWER and the very first look at the billion-dollar TV series. Nearly 20 people are confirmed for the panel, including the secretive show runners, J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay. A new exclusive trailer is nearly guaranteed, but would they dare show the FIRST full episode to fans, as The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance did a few years ago?
5pm – 8:30pm – Party Time! TheOneRing.net and Prime Video invite you to our Middle-earth Moot! This extraordinary party includes Cosplay contest with exclusive giveaways, themed decorations from The Rings of Power, with drinks and food provided. Exclusive TROP swag and other surprises are in store. Open to the public, no SDCC badge required, all ages, Cosplay encouraged (get creative!), space strictly limited! Details & sign up for your free ticket SOON.
Saturday
TheOneRing.net official Booth #1220 – Trivia time EVERY HOUR! Courtesy of Warner Home Video, we have copies to give away of the epic 31-disc 4K box set Middle-earth Ultimate Edition, as well as amazing LOTR fabrics from OSCHA. Pick up a Con-exclusive shirt or just come and chat about what we all saw in Hall H.
Sunday
1:30pm, room 6A – Join an all-star panel of Tolkien scholars and experts for a deep dive into the lore of LOTR and the Second Age. What did Tolkien actually write? What are the threads that Amazon can pull on? Learn the true intent of Tolkien’s lore expansion, and be informed enough to win all the internet debates coming soon. Be sure to add this panel to your SDCC Official App schedule here.
SDCC Exclusive Merch
We are excited to have incredible new T-shirts and pins available only at TheOneRing.net Booth #1220, not online, from some of our favorite artists!
Peabody Award-winning artist, author and director Molly Ostertag (@HobbitGay) designed BAG END SOCIAL CLUB which incorporates a direct quotation from Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring.
We also have more fun items including books from “Middle-earth: Script to Screen” co-author Kellie Rice, art from Eisner-nominated (2022) comic artist team Kempo Cornelius & Chris Northrop, and items from The Nerd of the Rings and Discord. Come by the booth #1220 to discover it all!
Get all your officially-licensed LOTR merch at Booth #1220 including Shire Post coins & wax seals & more!
Remember, TORN is not-for-profit and we are just trying to pay off the very expensive booth!
Other panels of interest to LOTR fans
Andy Serkis new comic panel, Thursday 5pm Room 32AB (he might be zooming in)
Billy & Dom’s Moriarty podcast panel, Thursday 12:15pm Room Indigo (in person, covid allowing)
Prime Video offsite – across the rail tracks from Hall A, Prime Video usually has a big free outdoor event space.
Dungeons & Dragons Tavern – corner of Sixth Avenue and Island Avenue
The Rings of Power press events – for those fans covering SDCC as Press, Prime Video is running a tight ship and things are invite-only for their press days. TheOneRing.net Middle-earth Moot party on Friday is a private fan event: there shall be no Press access or video cameras allowed! You shall not pass!
Win the Ultimate Collection at TheOneRing.net booth 1202
Our pals at WBHE are hooking you up with the ultimate 4K Boxed set of the COMPLETE Peter Jackson Middle-earth films: both LOTR and The Hobbit (technically two trilogies so does that make this a Hexology?!) There are multiple opportunities to win one through our trivia challenges all weekend long at Booth #1220.
Follow TheOneRing.net on our official Twitter & Instagram to keep up with all the Comic-Con excitement, and join our official partnered Discord to catch ALL the things as they break.
We’ve teamed up with our new friends at Numskull Designs to show off a couple of their very cool cosplaying ducks from TheLord of the Rings Trilogy. The subjects of this review are going to be the awesome-looking Aragorn and Sauron Cosplaying Ducks, as well as their very cool The Lord of the Rings pin sets.
You can get these two ducks for $12.99 each, and the pin sets for $7.99, from various collectibles stores on the net. However, we’re pleased to announce that starting tomorrow Friday 9th April, through Friday 30th April, if you follow TheOneRing.net AND Numskull Designs on Twitter, and like TORn’s tweet announcing the contest, you will be in with a chance to win a set of what you see in this review. (One lucky winner will be chosen at random, and contacted by Numskull Designs.) Good luck!
