My copy of the 2011 HarperCollins calendar, with thirteen illustrations and an essay by Cor Blok, arrived yesterday (Saturday 3 July) from Amazon. It was waiting for me when I got home from work, and I lost no time in opening it and delighting in it!

And now I'm at work again

- wellinghall

I didn't know that an essay is included. What's it about?

I have not seen any Diary this year, has HarperCollins given up on Diaries?

yes... no diary this year

Belatedly -

The essay is by Cor Blok, and is entitled, "Pictures to accompany a great story." It occupies the first four pages of the calendar (although about a third of the second page, and a small part of the fourth page, are taken up by illustrations); the text is large and well-spaced, so the essay is rather shorter than you might expect from a simple "four page" description. Cor Blok comments on his approach to Tolkien illustration in general (although he does say, "This is why I refer to my work on 'The Lord of the Rings' as 'accompanying' rather than 'illustrating' the story). He also talks about the two pictures included with the text ('In The Golden Hall' and 'The Oliphaunt' - the latter is also on the cover).

Hope this helps.

- wellinghall