Offered up for sale is the pictured vintage original promotional store foam core display board for JRR Tolkien’s iconic image “Barad-Dur: The Fortress of Sauron. This image was used on the cover of the 1970s paperback version of The Return Of The King. This was printed as a display piece for bookstores and classroom instruction by his British publisher George Allen & Unwin, Ltd. In the mid 1960s. The printing is done in the period correct half tone rosette pattern that is the fingerprint of mid 20th century offset printing. This is not a mass produced contemporary print, but a store display piece printed on high-quality foam board.

CONDITION DETAILS:

The board measures approximately 11 1/2 x 12“. Overall, I rate it between fine and very fine vintage condition. There’s general, light wear to the edges. The four corners are shown in detail. None are crushed, but they do show impact from handling over the past six decades. There’s also one white sliver and the right vertical edge shown photographed. There seems to be very light foxing along the left vertical edge extending from the corner down about 1/3 of the way down and a half inch into the border. That looks like it was exposed to the air as part of us stack over the decades. These are minor flaws that are offset by the bold & stark colors. No sun fading is observed. The image is framed in a monochrome border that makes the stark imagery of Mordor come alive. There are plenty of photographs to document the overall fine to very fine condition.

PROVENANCE:

This was acquired from the estate of a retired English teacher and bibliophile, who is also former head of the NEA for the state of Minnesota. It came from a multigenerational estate sale of books housewares, linens, decorative objects that span nearly a century of American craftsmanship & design. I currently have listed and will be listing many other items from the estate, including a signed Forest Emerson Mann Forest Craft Guild copper book end, World War II custom US Navy shirts made by The Big O in Norfolk, Virginia, a rare Zippo four barrel 1941 lighter, a Norman Rockwell Boy Scout handbook along with his 1944 To Make Men Free inaugural complete wall calendar. And many other items from this spectacular sale including two more display boards featuring two different images of Moria and one from The Hobbit featuring Bilbo waking in the E and one from The Hobbit featuring Bilbo waking in the eagles nest.

Let the photographs be your guide and message me with any questions. Shipping will be via USPS priority mail in a sturdy box protected from the elements as part of the purchase price. I shipped globally through eBay.

I do my best to describe my items accurately and package them well so you can receive them intact and fully enjoy them. Everything I sell I guarantee fully. Read my feedback and purchase with confidence, knowing that your item will be shipped promptly and properly package so you can receive it on time and in one piece. I always combine shipping.