Bookstore Finds a Rare Map of ‘Middle Earth’ Annotated by Tolkien Inside Copy of ‘Lor

[Alcuin]

Link here with picture.

Blackwell’s Rare Books recently very rare find – a map of Middle Earth with annotations made in the hand of author J.R.R. Tolkien. The Oxford bookshop found the map inside a copy of of Lord of the Rings that had once belonged to illustrator Pauline Baynes, who worked with Tolkien and even went on to publish her own Map of Middle Earth in 1970. Blackwell’s has since put the map on display and is currently selling it for £60,000. They are also planning on featuring the map in their next catalogue.

[Nerwen]

Lucky ducks
What I wouldn't give

Susie

[ringbearer]

would not give what they are asking for it!!

[Galin]

I have the map already...

... well, without the writing on it

[Alcuin]

There are 3-digit numbers among the annotations. Rivendell is marked “236”. Lothlórien is marked “361”, and there may be another, fainter “364” below that. Dol Guldur is marked “370” or “390”.

I used GIMP (similar to Photoshop, but free) to induce false color into the map. I don’t believe I can paste it into this thread (wishing one of the admins would change that…), but here is a link. False colorization can allow you to make out more detail.

Tolkien added more trees to the west of Lórien, and marked something I cannot make out just to the east of the confluence of Anduin and Silverlode. Next to the annotation “Lothlórien” is another, possible “R Silverlode”.

“Dorwinion” is clearly marked on the west coast of the Sea of Rhûn, but something else that had been there was scratched out.

I sure would like to see more of his annotations, and I’d like to know what the numbers are for.

[Nerwen]

Originally Posted by Alcuin

There are 3-digit numbers among the annotations. Rivendell is marked “236”. Lothlórien is marked “361”, and there may be another, fainter “364” below that. Dol Guldur is marked “370” or “390”.

I used GIMP (similar to Photoshop, but free) to induce false color into the map. I don’t believe I can paste it into this thread (wishing one of the admins would change that…), but here is a link. False colorization can allow you to make out more detail.

Tolkien added more trees to the west of Lórien, and marked something I cannot make out just to the east of the confluence of Anduin and Silverlode. Next to the annotation “Lothlórien” is another, possible “R Silverlode”.

“Dorwinion” is clearly marked on the west coast of the Sea of Rhûn, but something else that had been there was scratched out.

I sure would like to see more of his annotations, and I’d like to know what the numbers are for.

Thanks for the link. I am sure you will post it if anybody does figure out those cryptic numbers

Susie

[Valandil]

This is cool! Thanks Alcuin!

[Earniel]

Cool find indeed.

This is the thing I like so much about Tolkien, with all the books and maps and early drafts available, you really get a sense of his process of world-building and the way he constructed his stories in a way you never get from any other author.

Christopher Tolkien may be just getting rich of it, but that sort of thing is a treasure throve for fans.

[Nerwen]

Originally Posted by Eärniel

Cool find indeed.

This is the thing I like so much about Tolkien, with all the books and maps and early drafts available, you really get a sense of his process of world-building and the way he constructed his stories in a way you never get from any other author.

Christopher Tolkien may be just getting rich of it, but that sort of thing is a treasure throve for fans.

I'd be prepared to have Christopher Tolkien's baby if he would just let Peter Jackson do The Silmarillion

Susie

[Mari]

Erm... how does your boyfriend feel about that?

[Nerwen]

He laughed about it. He said at least the little, er,illegitimate child would inherit big time when ol' Chris "shakes off this mortal coil". He talks like that

Susie