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Michael Hague 1948-2026

12 March (edited)
2026-3-12 2:16:38 AM UTC

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Illustrator Michael Hague’s wife Kathleen posted that her husband passed away March 10, 2026.

Michael was best known in the Tolkien community for his illustrated Hobbit, first released in 1984. His illustrations can also be found in several Easton Press volumes; The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, Unfinished Tales, and Book of Lost Tales 1&2. Our condolences to his family, friends, and fans.

I was fortunate enough to meet Michael many years ago at an art conference not realizing he would be there. I did not have any books with me at the time, but was able to get him to sign a slip of paper, which I then brought home and pasted into my copy of his illustrated Hobbit. Still have it today.

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12 March
2026-3-12 2:56:51 AM UTC
RIP. My favourite illustrator of The Hobbit after Tolkien himself.
12 March
2026-3-12 3:11:41 AM UTC
Rest in Peace. A titan.
12 March
2026-3-12 8:33:02 AM UTC
This was my first Hobbit (well, it was my Mum's). I felt a sense of achievement that I read it for myself in two days in year 3, back in the early 90s.

I bought her Hague's edition of Aesop's Fables not too long ago, in memory of that.
12 March (edited)
2026-3-12 12:35:20 PM UTC
This was also my first illustrated Hobbit, outside of Tolkien's of course. A very fine artist. Sending our deepest condolences to his wife and family.
12 March
2026-3-12 1:03:23 PM UTC
RIP Michael Hague.
I added the Hobbit to my collection (several editions / publishers) not so long ago. This particular edition was not distributed in France when I was a child. But no doubt it would have enchanted me at the time also.
12 March
2026-3-12 5:58:37 PM UTC
He illustrated the 1986 Tolkien calendar, too. One of my favorites.
12 March
2026-3-12 6:01:19 PM UTC
Sad news.

You can take a look at his 1986 calendars here if you don't have one.

https://www.tolkienguide.com/guide/calendars/artists/Michael+Hague
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