Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth – Art, Manuscripts, Maps & Archives of J.R.R. Tolkien - By Catherine McIlwaine - Hardcover

Explore the life, imagination, artwork, and creative process of J.R.R. Tolkien in Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth, the lavishly illustrated catalogue produced for the major Tolkien exhibition at the Bodleian Libraries, Oxford. Compiled by Tolkien Archivist Catherine McIlwaine, this substantial volume brings together manuscripts, drawings, maps, letters, photographs, and other archival material illuminating the creation of Middle-earth. All of our books are brand new.

About the Book

Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth examines Tolkien not only as the author of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion, but also as an artist, illustrator, linguist, scholar, mapmaker, and creator of invented languages.

The book includes more than 300 images drawn from the Tolkien collections of the Bodleian Libraries in Oxford, Marquette University in Milwaukee, and private collections. Alongside Tolkien's artwork, maps, manuscripts, and letters are personal photographs and private papers that help reveal the development of his creative work.

Six introductory essays explore important aspects of Tolkien's life and work, including the influence of northern languages and legends, his concept of Faërie, his invented languages, his visual imagination, and his relationship with the literary group known as the Inklings.

The catalogue also explores Tolkien's childhood, student years, the development of his legendarium, The Silmarillion, The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and his approach to mapping Middle-earth.

Why This Book Works

This is more than a general Tolkien biography. It is a substantial visual and archival reference work, offering readers an opportunity to examine Tolkien's own creative materials alongside essays and contextual commentary. It is particularly suited to collectors and readers interested in Tolkien's artwork, manuscripts, maps, literary history, and the development of Middle-earth.

Perfect For

Perfect for: Tolkien enthusiasts • J.R.R. Tolkien collectors • Middle-earth fans • Tolkien art enthusiasts • literary-history readers • manuscript enthusiasts • fantasy-art collections • map collectors • book collectors • The Hobbit fans • The Lord of the Rings readers • Silmarillion readers • home libraries • premium Tolkien gifts

Product Details

Title • Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth • Author/Editor • Catherine McIlwaine • Subject • J.R.R. Tolkien • Middle-earth • Tolkien Art & Archives • Format • Hardcover • Publisher • Bodleian Library Publishing • Publication • June 2018 • Pages • 416 • Illustrations • 300+ images • ISBN • 9781851244850 • Language • English • Dimensions • 259 × 237 mm • Edition • Bodleian Libraries exhibition catalogue