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CollectingTolkien

@collectingtolkien

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Sharing my collection, discoveries, and thoughts on Tolkien.
Meeting new friends and growing my study along the way.
Come on the journey with me.

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“Home is behind, the world ahead.”

One of my favorite Tolkien quotes, and one I had the privilege of experiencing in a very literal way during a four-day backpacking trip through the Pirin Mountains of Bulgaria.

There are places that make you understand why Tolkien wrote about roads, mountains, and the pull of the world beyond your doorstep.

This was one of them.

#tolkien #mountains #lordoftherings #wanderlust #sunset taken in Pirin National Park by @collectingtolkien

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2 months ago

A very late delivery tonight. I had almost given up hope.

A Middle-earth Traveller, Sketches from Bag End to Mordor by John Howe. I love to see different interpretations of Middle-earth, especially from amazing artists like Howe. This one is heading to my Art shelf next to the Alan Lee Sketchbooks.

Tolkien in the Twenty-First Century by Nick Groom. I was looking forward to diving into this one this weekend, but it’s going back to Amazon. Both the dust jacket and book were damaged in shipping. It happens sometimes.

Do you have a favorite illustrator, Tolkien or not? What’s your favorite book they have illustrated?

#tolkien #books #booklover #illustrator #bookcover by @collectingtolkien

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4 days ago

At 44, sometimes I feel like I should have life a bit more together; maybe have a few more things figured out. I’ve had a great career so far, but I’m not even sure I know what I want to be when I grow up!

Professor Tolkien was 45 when The Hobbit was published. And while, in my humble opinion, it remains one of the greatest stories ever written - even Tolkien was still refining the story he had begun. There were inconsistencies that led to revisions, especially when factoring in details The Lord of the Rings.

I guess my point in all of this is that it’s impossible to have it all figured out today - or maybe ever - and that’s ok. Our responsibility is to do the best we can today with the information we have, and to continue learning and growing from what we find out in the future.

Maybe that’s the lesson. We don’t have to have the whole story figured out. We just have to keep writing it, one day at a time.

“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

#tolkien #lifelessons #personalgrowth #keepgrowing #books by @collectingtolkien

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6 days ago

I was looking at the Heritage Bookcase this morning after a little rearranging over the weekend, and I realized that someone has been skipping leg day.

The upper half looks like a bodybuilder who never misses a workout. Stacked. Looking good. Coming along nicely. However you want to word it.

The lower half? 😬 But we’re working on it!

Myths and Legends Box Set 2 is arriving next month, and I have a few more titles in mind to help fill out the map, history, and scholarship sections.

The goal isn’t to fill every inch of shelf space just for the sake of it. Every book needs to earn its place in the Study. So I’m taking my time, making thoughtful additions, and letting the collection grow naturally.

One thing’s for certain - it’s come a long way from the two books I had at the beginning of the year.

#tolkien #thehobbit #lordoftherings #bookshelves #books by @collectingtolkien

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7 days ago

Another nice day for book mail! Apparently, there is post on Sunday.

Four additions to the Study, including a special one: a first edition, first printing of Mr. Bliss, published by Allen & Unwin in 1982, the same year I was born.

Tolkien’s illustrated story about Mr. Bliss and his rather unusual motorcar is a little different from the Middle-earth books we tend to associate with him. It’s a fun piece of Tolkien’s own storytelling, and having a first printing from my birth year makes this one especially meaningful.

Also joining the shelves are David Wenzel’s graphic novel adaptation of The Hobbit, Joseph Loconte’s A Hobbit, a Wardrobe, and a Great War, and The Fellowship by Philip and Carol Zaleski.

A good mix of Tolkien’s own work and books that explore the friendships and ideas surrounding it.

#tolkien #thehobbit #bookcollection #books #booklover by @collectingtolkien

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8 days ago

A nice day for book mail!

A couple of very special illustrated editions of The Hobbit, a Houghton Mifflin three-volume Lord of the Rings set, and The War for Middle-earth by Joseph Loconte.

The Tove Jansson illustrated edition of The Hobbit released this week, and it pairs beautifully with the illustrated edition from @jemimacatlin. Two very different interpretations of Tolkien’s classic, and I’m glad to have both in the Study.

The War for Middle-earth by @aielloloconte adds another angle to the shelves, exploring the friendship between Tolkien and C.S. Lewis and the historical context surrounding their work.

Which one would you want to look through first?

#tolkien #thehobbit #bookcollection #books #booklover by @collectingtolkien

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11 days ago

Collection item 150 just arrived, and I’m over the moon. I’ve had dozens of chances to add this Collector’s Edition over the last several months, but they never worked out.

I was browsing on @pangobooks last Wednesday night and found this newly listed copy. I exchanged some messages with the seller to confirm that there wasn’t any writing inside and that the map was present and attached. By Thursday morning, this copy was mine!

I’ve changed my mind on placement at least half a dozen times, but I think I’ve finally landed on its home: my Lord of the Rings publishing history shelf on the Heritage Bookcase, which sits directly above my Hobbit publishing history shelf. That works, right?

#tolkien #lordoftherings #booklover #books #bookcollection by @collectingtolkien

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14 days ago

It took almost 2 weeks, but my limited print of “An Unexpected Journey” by @jacksonbrobinson now has a frame. I’m hoping to get it on the wall this weekend, but anything worth doing takes time.

Almost 90 years later, Bilbo Baggins remains one of the most lovable characters in all of literature. I’m thrilled to have this piece as part of my study.

#tolkien #thehobbit #bilbo #anunexpectedjourney #art by @collectingtolkien

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17 days ago

One thing all of these books have in common? I found every one of them on @pangobooks.

I spend a lot of time hunting for Tolkien books, and PangoBooks has become one of my favorite places to look for interesting editions and great deals. In fact, I just got an amazing deal earlier today on a red leatherette Collector’s Edition of The Lord of the Rings.

And while Tolkien is my thing, PangoBooks has something for just about every reader. I love the reader-to-reader model and the chance to find great books from other people who love them too.

If you haven’t tried PangoBooks yet, there’s a little bonus: new users get $5 off their first purchase of $10 or more through my link in the bio.

Happy hunting!

#tolkien #tolkienbooks #bookcollecting #booklover #pangobooks by @collectingtolkien

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18 days ago

Of course The Fellowship of the Ring is my top comfort movie, but here are a few others that I can watch on repeat. They all have a few things in common: a great story, beautiful cinematography, and an amazing score. Side note - most of the music I listen to is film scores. 🤓

What are some of your go-to movies?

#booklover #movies #lazydays #movienight #movielover by @collectingtolkien

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18 days ago

I absolutely love this Burglar Contract from @wetaworkshop. It is every bit as wonderfully ridiculous as you would hope, laying out the terms of Bilbo’s employment with Thorin & Company, including “cash on delivery” and “one fourteenth share of total profits (if any).”

As one might expect, “all travelling expenses guaranteed in any event.” And then there’s this one little clause that would cause most of us to hesitate:

“Funeral expenses to be defrayed by us or our representatives, if occasion arises.”

Of course, the best part is that this is the job that started the whole adventure. Bilbo goes from a quiet life in Bag End to signing a contract to sneak into a dragon’s lair with thirteen dwarves!

This is exactly the kind of Tolkien piece I love adding to the collection. It’s not just something that looks cool on a shelf. It’s tied directly to the story and gives you a little glimpse into the world beyond the pages.

#tolkientuesday #tolkien #thehobbit #books #booklover by @collectingtolkien

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20 days ago

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