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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