Mercator's World; 11/1/2002
This Map of Middle Earth, by J.R.R. Tolkien and Pauline Baynes, is very similar to that which appears in LotR, but in this instance it is one of 100 copies that were printed on special paper in 1971. It also is 1 of only 3 of those copies that were signed by both Tolkien and Baynes, and one that has had the frieze that once formed an ornamental border removed at the instruction of Tolkien, who thought the poster map, now roughly nineteen inches square, looked much better without it. This copy, inscribed as a birthday gift to Claire Turner, one of his god-daughters, was sold at Bonhams: London on June 19 for GBP4,063 to London book dealer Simon Finch. One of the other two signed copies was given to another of the writer's goddaughters--a copy sold at Sotheby's: London in 1992 for GBP990 -and the remaining copy was given to Joy Hill, Tolkien's correspondence secretary.

The Birmingham Post (England); 6/17/2002
A rare map of Middle Earth signed by JRR Tolkien could fetch up to GBP4,000 when it is auctioned tomorrow. The map, which shows scenes from LotR, is one of only 300 copies produced in 1971. The map is one of only three signed by Tolkien. It shows scenes like Mount Doom, Minas Tirith and Hobbiton which feature in the books inspired by Tolkien's childhood in Birmingham. It was given as a birthday present to Claire Turner, a relation of Tolkien's correspondence secretary Joy Hill. Melanie Way, children's book specialist at London auction house Bonhams, said: 'We are expecting a lot of interest. At first glance this does not look that amazing but only 300 were made, and only three were signed by the author.' This one was signed in 1973, the year Tolkien died.

The Birmingham Post (England); 6/19/2002
A rare map showing scenes from LotR and signed by JRR Tolkien was sold for GBP3,995 at a London auction yesterday. The map of Middle-earth, which is one of only 300 copies produced on special paper in 1971, was bought by a dealer. The document was sold at Bonhams auction house in Knowle, Solihull. Another signed map fetched just GBP900 when it was sold in 1992 but the recent film of LotR has re-ignited a passion for the author, a spokeswoman for Bonhams said. A first edition of The Hobbit, which dates back to 1937, was expected to fetch GBP15,000 but did not sell. A third edition signed by the author and with an estimated price of GBP1,500 - 2,000 fetched GBP3,055.