I love all these stories. I had started reading Tolkien in middle school in the late 1990s and had read The Hobbit, LOTR, the Silmarillion, and about half of HoMe by the time of college, so I had a number of Tolkien's books but never thought to collect special editions or read commentary or scholarly work on Tolkien (or to expand outside the Legendarium).
When I started listening to the Prancing Pony Podcast in 2016, thanks to the hosts' using many other works to explain the Legendarium, I realized there was so much more out there on Tolkien beyond HoMe that shed light on his work and that I would find interesting. I didn't really consider this as "collecting" at this point, but I started buying the other works of Tolkien I didn't have and then probably about two years ago finally decided to look into collecting early editions and special editions of Tolkien's work, in addition to a growing library of commentary and analysis on Tolkien's works. This site has been a great community to join and be a part of and an invaluable resource as well.
When I started listening to the Prancing Pony Podcast in 2016, thanks to the hosts' using many other works to explain the Legendarium, I realized there was so much more out there on Tolkien beyond HoMe that shed light on his work and that I would find interesting. I didn't really consider this as "collecting" at this point, but I started buying the other works of Tolkien I didn't have and then probably about two years ago finally decided to look into collecting early editions and special editions of Tolkien's work, in addition to a growing library of commentary and analysis on Tolkien's works. This site has been a great community to join and be a part of and an invaluable resource as well.
I've been a collector ever since I was given the Ballantine boxed set of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings in paperback by a friend as a going-away present when my family moved from York PA to Richmond VA in 1978 (in which year I turned 13). I've focussed since then on collecting all of Tolkien's published works, particularly his scholarly and philological works, and not a few unpublished ones. Among my most prized possessions are a few signed books from Tolkien's library, a signed one-volume A&U LotR (with Pauline Baynes wraparound cover), and a card with Tolkien's signature and accompanying Quenya inscription. But I am most proud of the very large set of photocopies of Tolkien's manuscripts that I have on (indefinite) loan from a (now departed) friend....
Carl
Carl
Aelfwine wrote:
I've been a collector ever since I was given the Ballantine boxed set of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings in paperback by a friend as a going-away present when my family moved from York PA to Richmond VA in 1978 (in which year I turned 13). I've focussed since then on collecting all of Tolkien's published works, particularly his scholarly and philological works, and not a few unpublished ones. Among my most prized possessions are a few signed books from Tolkien's library, a signed one-volume A&U LotR (with Pauline Baynes wraparound cover), and a card with Tolkien's signature and accompanying Quenya inscription. But I am most proud of the very large set of photocopies of Tolkien's manuscripts that I have on (indefinite) loan from a (now departed) friend....
Carl
Cool, cool... cool... THUD. 👀 😁
Carl wrote: "But I am most proud of the very large set of photocopies of Tolkien's manuscripts that I have on (indefinite) loan from a (now departed) friend...."
Invaluable comes to mind. And the photocopies are in the best hands available now that the days of the steward are over.
Invaluable comes to mind. And the photocopies are in the best hands available now that the days of the steward are over.
When did I start liking the idea of Lord of the Rings or Middle-earth? Hmm, there were lots of things I remember liking before I started seriously collecting, so I’ll start there.
Without really knowing anything to do with Tolkien, the first thing I remember watching on the tv was a British programme called Jackanory. It was an anniversary of episodes of the show and to celebrate it they read the Hobbit. That was in 1979 when I was 10/11yrs old. Then in 1980 I started playing AD&D (still do), and all the character names were from LotR. I played a cleric called Radagast. Sometime in the early 80s I remember watching the Bakshi film at the local cinema. In 1985 I remember buying Citadel miniatures for D&D of the LotR characters. I had quite a few but not all. Then mid to late 80s I bought what you see in the first picture and I guess I must’ve read them in order of publication but didn’t read the Silmarillion. That was years later. In 1987 I first heard Brian Sibley’s adaptation by the BBC of LotR on the radio, and shortly after ordered the box set of cassettes. Running into the 90s I bought the Ted Nasmith illustrated plates from Danbury Mint. In 1998 for my 30th birthday, I was bought the Alan Lee illustrated Hobbit by my work colleagues. That was my first hardback Tolkien. Then the Jackson films came along. I liked them, I won’t lie. But they’re just an adaptation like everything else that aren’t the books.
In 2005 the 50th anniversary of the LotR happened and I thought I’d but a nice set of hardbacks. I guess it then started as a collection from that point really. I’ve now amassed a lot of not just books, but other things too. Like most of us 😁
The last of my pictures here is old and not up to date, but I always find it difficult with getting a full shot of my room because it’s narrow. Thanks for reading.
Without really knowing anything to do with Tolkien, the first thing I remember watching on the tv was a British programme called Jackanory. It was an anniversary of episodes of the show and to celebrate it they read the Hobbit. That was in 1979 when I was 10/11yrs old. Then in 1980 I started playing AD&D (still do), and all the character names were from LotR. I played a cleric called Radagast. Sometime in the early 80s I remember watching the Bakshi film at the local cinema. In 1985 I remember buying Citadel miniatures for D&D of the LotR characters. I had quite a few but not all. Then mid to late 80s I bought what you see in the first picture and I guess I must’ve read them in order of publication but didn’t read the Silmarillion. That was years later. In 1987 I first heard Brian Sibley’s adaptation by the BBC of LotR on the radio, and shortly after ordered the box set of cassettes. Running into the 90s I bought the Ted Nasmith illustrated plates from Danbury Mint. In 1998 for my 30th birthday, I was bought the Alan Lee illustrated Hobbit by my work colleagues. That was my first hardback Tolkien. Then the Jackson films came along. I liked them, I won’t lie. But they’re just an adaptation like everything else that aren’t the books.
In 2005 the 50th anniversary of the LotR happened and I thought I’d but a nice set of hardbacks. I guess it then started as a collection from that point really. I’ve now amassed a lot of not just books, but other things too. Like most of us 😁
The last of my pictures here is old and not up to date, but I always find it difficult with getting a full shot of my room because it’s narrow. Thanks for reading.
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