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27 Sep, 2023
2023-9-27 5:44:48 PM UTC
Not really a fan of the style of art by Hudson but love the concept of lining up the cassettes for a continuous progression of the story, sort of like pieces of a tapestry. Thanks for sharing!
28 Sep, 2023
2023-9-28 5:19:21 PM UTC
This is a large double sided poster from the re-release of the series in 2002. Unlike the poster from the original release this one has a dark blue border, but still features the iconic image by Eric Fraser. The reverse side of the poster has a lot of details about the series and is also different from the original poster.

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29 Sep, 2023
2023-9-29 2:49:21 PM UTC
This seems a good thread to mention this BBC programme "The Art of Radio Times" in which Eric Fraser is interviewed. It was first broadcast in 2013.

As the Radio Times reaches its centenary, Peter Day tells the story of the outstanding British graphic artists who made the magazine their canvas.

The idea that a broadcasting listings magazine should provide the opportunity for writers and artists to produce some of their finest creative work seems perhaps a little far-fetched in the present era of TV listing magazines and supplements.

Yet Radio Times, which first appeared on bookstands on 28th September 1923, was a great nurturer of artistic talent.

It started with cartoons - the early magazine loved a gentle 'Punch'-like joke - but soon Radio Times evolved its own individual graphic idiom, using line drawings and motifs, alongside more conventional photographs, to illustrate the imaginative world of radio, in particular.

In the magazine's heyday, an elegant Eric Fraser cover would regularly grace the bumper-selling Christmas edition, and 1953's Coronation Number became a collector's item with Fraser's simple and noble heraldic theme.

Alongside Eric Fraser, amongst the great British artists to create some of their most distinguished work for Radio Times were Edward Ardizzone, Val Biro and Victor Reinganum; Bob Sherriffs contributed thumbnail caricatures in the early years and 50 years later Peter Brookes, before becoming a fixture on The Times was a regular contributor.

In this programme - originally made to mark the 90th anniversary - Peter Day explores the graphic heritage that Radio Times fostered with those who drew and those who commissioned for it.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b03bfsyw
29 Sep, 2023
2023-9-29 4:48:43 PM UTC
This is another US set on cassette. 3 individual boxes titled to match the 3 books, each box has 4 cassettes. I believe that these were released in 2001. Published by Listening Library (Random House). The covers for the boxes feature the art of John Howe, “Gandalf Returns to Hobbiton”, “Minus Tirith” and “Mount Doom”.

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30 Sep, 2023
2023-9-30 3:59:49 PM UTC
Next is the series soundtrack vinyl LP, released in 1981 by BBC records. With the music by composer Stephen Oliver. The cover is again the iconic image by Eric Fraser.

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1 Oct, 2023
2023-10-1 2:26:51 PM UTC
Here we have the UK 2002 release of the series. It was released on both tape and CD. Both consisted of 3 boxes titled to the 3 books. The stylised covers are by Mark Hudson.

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2 Oct, 2023
2023-10-2 4:45:02 PM UTC
Next is a promo postcard for the re-release of the series in 2002. The postcard is very similar to the poster produced at the same time, with a dark blue border and featuring the iconic image by Eric Fraser.

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3 Oct, 2023
2023-10-3 3:38:13 PM UTC
Next is a UK CD boxed set of both the Lord of the Rings dramatisation and the BBC Hobbit dramatisation. The Hobbit series was not as good as the Lord of the Rings. This boxed set was released in 2011. It has the same gold cover design as on the original cassette release.

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3 Oct, 2023
2023-10-3 3:47:11 PM UTC
Just dropping in to say thanks for this thread, loving it!
3 Oct, 2023
2023-10-3 4:00:08 PM UTC
Yes, thank you. This thread is like a trip down childhood memory lane. Wonderful stuff in here.
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