Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien

Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien
Publication Information
Author	Christopher Tolkien
Illustrator	J.R.R. Tolkien
Publisher	George Allen and Unwin (UK) Houghton Mifflin (US)
Released	1 November 1979 (UK) 19 November 1979 (US)
Format	Hardcover with slipcase
Pages	103
ISBN	0047410035
Preceded by	The Inklings: C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Charles Williams, and Their Friends {1978)
Followed by	Unfinished Tales (1980)

Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien is a collection of artwork by J.R.R. Tolkien, most of them had been published in a series of calendars by George Allen & Unwin for the years 1974 and 1976-1979. Some of these that were previously published only in truncated form are now seen in full.

The first edition was published by George Allen & Unwin on 1 November 1979. It includes a foreword and notes by Christopher Tolkien.

The book was revised in 1992, in which a preface was added by Christopher, the texts were revised, and item 22 and 24 were re-numbered as 23 and 24.

From the publisher (2021 edition)

This collection of pictures, with text by Christopher Tolkien, now reissued after almost 30 years confirms J.R.R. Tolkien’s considerable talent as an artist. It provides fascinating insight into his visual conception of many of the places and events familiar to readers of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion.

Examples of his art range from delicate watercolours depicting Rivendell, the Forest of Lothlorien, Smaug, and Old Man Willow, to drawings and sketches of Moria Gate and Minas Tirith. Together they form a comprehensive collection of Tolkien’s own illustrations for his most popular books.

Also included are many of his beautiful designs showing patterns of flowers and trees, friezes, tapestries and heraldic devices associated with the world of Middle-earth. In their variety and scope they provide abundant visual evidence of the richness of his imagination.

Pictures

1. The Hill: Hobbiton-across-the Water
2. The Trolls
3. Three Trolls turned to Stone
4. Rivendell Looking West
5. Rivendell Looking East
6. Rivendell
7. The Mountain-path
8. Misty Mountains Looking West
9. Bilbo Baggins woke with the early sun in his eyes
10. Beorn's Hall
11. The Elvenking's Gate (I)
12. The Elvenking's Gate (II)
13. Bilbo comes to the Huts of the Raft-elves (I)
14. Bilbo comes to the Huts of the Raft-elves (II)
15. Lake Town
16. The Front Gate
17. Conversation with Smaug
18. Smaug flies round the Mountain
19. Death of Smaug
20. The Hall at Bag End, Residence of B. Baggins Esquire
21. Old Man Willow
22. Doors of Durin and Moria Gate
23. Leaves from the Book of Mazarbul
24. Moria Gate (The Steps to the East Gate)
25. The Forest of Lothlórien in Spring
26. Helm's Deep and the Hornburg
27. Orthanc and Minas Tirith
28. Shelob's Lair
29. Dunharrow
30. Orodruin and Barad-dûr
31. Taniquetil
32. Lake Mithrim
33. Nargothrond (I)
34. Nargothrond (II)
35. Gondolin and the Vale of Tumladen
36. Tol Sirion
37. Mirkwood Fangorn Forest
38. Glaurung sets forth to seek Túrin (Christopher altered Glórund to Glaurung in order to be consistent with The Silmarillion)
39. Polar bear had fallen from top to bottom onto his nose
40. Three Dragons (1, 2&3)
41. Trees (including "The Tree of Amalion")
42. Flowering Tree with Friezes
43. Patterns (I)
44. Patterns (II)
45. Floral Designs (including "Pilinehtar")
46. Númenórean Tile and Textiles
47. Heraldic Devices (with guide)
48. Elvish Script (a, b, and c)

Publication history and gallery

• 

  1979 edition slipcase

• 

  1992 edition hardcover

• 

  2021 edition slipcase

• 

  2024 edition hardcover

• George Allen and Unwin, hardcover with slipcase (1979), pp. 103. ISBN 0047410035
• HarperCollins hardcover (1992), pp. 108. ISBN 0261102583
• HarperCollins hardcover with slipcase (2021), pp. 112. ISBN 0008484449
• HarperCollins hardcover (2024), pp. 128. ISBN 0008484457

See also

• Images by J.R.R. Tolkien
• J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator
• The Art of The Hobbit
• The Art of The Lord of the Rings