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Tolkien cards (1977) first collection

23 May, 2020
2020-5-23 10:13:05 PM UTC

In 1977 George Allen & Unwin released three sets of eight cards, each featuring an illustration by Tolkien. The three sets were "Hobbit Series 1", "Hobbit Series 2", and "The Lord of the Rings". Hammond's J.R.R. Tolkien A Descriptive Bibliography documents these as Eii17 (p. 379).

In going through my ephemera today, I found an advertisement for these sets that I had forgotten I had. Of note, it states
"The first collection of Tolkien cards was a great success. Now there is a choice of three sets"

Tolkien Cards advertisement web.jpeg


In the fine print at the bottom, it indicates which seven cards were included in the "first collection":
  • The Hill: Hobbiton-across-the-Water
  • Rivendell
  • Bilbo comes to the Huts of the Raft-elves
  • Conversation with Smaug
  • Death of Smaug
  • Bilbo woke with the early sun in his eyes
  • Barad-dûr

Has anyone ever run across a set of this "first collection"?
23 May, 2020
2020-5-23 11:11:47 PM UTC
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Seller: 619nufc
(220)
Ended Feb 6, 2023
This item ended more than 90 days ago
23 May, 2020 (edited)
2020-5-23 11:41:16 PM UTC
That was fast! ?

This original 1975 set has Fangorn Forest in it, that was not included in the 1977 sets. I believe that this makes the first appearance of this artwork (also titled Beleg Finds Gwindor in Taur-nu-Fuin), correct? It was published in the 1978 calendar and Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien in 1979.

  • The Hill: Hobbiton-across-the-Water
  • Bilbo woke with the early sun in his eyes
  • Bilbo comes to the Huts of the Raft-elves
  • Rivendell
  • Conversation with Smaug
  • Death of Smaug
  • Fangorn Forest
  • Barad-dûr

24 May, 2020
2020-5-24 8:24:57 AM UTC
Rayner mentions the cards as being first released between Tolkien's death (1973) and the publication of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight | Pearl | Sir Orfeo (1975), in Remembrancer, p. 247.
24 May, 2020
2020-5-24 7:12:29 PM UTC

Khamûl wrote:
Rayner mentions the cards as being first released between Tolkien's death (1973) and the publication of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight | Pearl | Sir Orfeo (1975), in Remembrancer, p. 247.

Well spotted!

"Postcards of Tolkien's own pictures, shrink-wrapped and sold with envelopes in packets of eight, were another innovation that was reasonably successful and helped bridge the gap between Tolkien's death and the first products of his diligent literary executor and son, Christopher. A final text of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, long-promised and, as I knew, virtually complete, came first."
24 May, 2020
2020-5-24 9:00:56 PM UTC
Hang on, I thought you didn't have a copy of Remembrancer? ;)
24 May, 2020
2020-5-24 10:44:54 PM UTC
Helpful friends when needed... ?

Still want a copy!
2 Feb, 2022
2022-2-2 2:50:15 AM UTC
Finally landed myself a set of these, with a grateful nod to Trotter for the assist. ?

1_61f9f1605e129.jpeg 640X640 px
2 Feb, 2022
2022-2-2 8:59:47 AM UTC
Great stuff ??
2 Feb, 2022
2022-2-2 9:05:01 AM UTC
And would you believe that the set above from May 2020 is STILL for sale at the same £102?! Far too expensive.
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