Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien

Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien
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

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.

A revised edition was published in 1992, which includes:

• A preface by Christopher Tolkien.
• Numerous amendments and revisions to Christopher’s notes that accompany the illustrations.
• A few title amendments and picture re-ordering.

A new edition was published in 2021, after nearly 30 years since the last publication.

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 (C. Tolkien 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
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

Publication history and gallery

1979 edition   1979 edition slipcase   1992 edition   2021 edition 2021 edition

• 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

See also

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