The LR illustrations Tolkien almost approved - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

William Cloud Hicklin · 09-13-2012, 04:28 PM

A fascinating and bittersweet story, never to my knowledge known until now, in the Times Literary Supplement.

http://www.the-tls.co.uk/tls/public/article1124297.ece

Had her timing not been star-crossed, there might have been an illustrated LR issued with the author's imprimatur.

Rumil · 09-13-2012, 05:10 PM

Wow! Quite a find

Has anyone located images of the other pictures?

I do quite like the 'Great River' picture featured in the article, at least the boats and scenery, not quite sure about the passengers.

William Cloud Hicklin · 09-13-2012, 05:19 PM

It's also interesting to learn that Tolkien liked Pauline Baynes as an illustrator for lighter material like Farmer Giles, but didn't think her suitable for the LR.

Mithalwen · 09-14-2012, 03:54 AM

Wow... I don't like a lot of Tolkien based art but I love that picture of the great river and would be fascinated to see the rest. And bless JRRT for his personal generosity to her

Lalwendë · 09-14-2012, 01:38 PM

So...two of the pictures are in the hands of the artist herself and one with the Tolkiens but the rest are in a house somewhere in Derbyshire? I wonder if whoever has them knows what they are or what they might be worth? A bit scary as it's the kind of thing that might well end up at a car boot sale...

And Tolkien injured his leg after running down the stairs at the age of 76? I can imagine what sort of a task it was to empty out his study of all his papers and books and shift them down to the coast without his supervision. A nightmare!

Mithalwen · 09-14-2012, 03:15 PM

Since it is a friend of the artist I imagine they do and I hope that this publicity will mean they won't be lost if say the friend is of the same generation as Miss Fairburn and the house,like Tolkiens had to be packed up without their supervision. Be nice if the lost ones turned up....not beyond the realms... I don't like the Galadriel quite as much - the scenery is lovely but not sure about Galadriel's face..

09-13-2012, 04:28 PM	#1
William Cloud Hicklin Loremaster of Annúminas Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 2,321	The LR illustrations Tolkien almost approved A fascinating and bittersweet story, never to my knowledge known until now, in the Times Literary Supplement. http://www.the-tls.co.uk/tls/public/article1124297.ece Had her timing not been star-crossed, there might have been an illustrated LR issued with the author's imprimatur. __________________ The entire plot of The Lord of the Rings could be said to turn on what Sauron didn’t know, and when he didn’t know it.

09-13-2012, 05:10 PM	#2
Rumil Sage & Onions Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Britain Posts: 894	Pretty as a picture Wow! Quite a find Has anyone located images of the other pictures? I do quite like the 'Great River' picture featured in the article, at least the boats and scenery, not quite sure about the passengers. __________________ Rumil of Coedhirion

09-13-2012, 05:19 PM	#3
William Cloud Hicklin Loremaster of Annúminas Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 2,321	It's also interesting to learn that Tolkien liked Pauline Baynes as an illustrator for lighter material like Farmer Giles, but didn't think her suitable for the LR. __________________ The entire plot of The Lord of the Rings could be said to turn on what Sauron didn’t know, and when he didn’t know it.

09-14-2012, 03:54 AM	#4
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,458	Wow... I don't like a lot of Tolkien based art but I love that picture of the great river and would be fascinated to see the rest. And bless JRRT for his personal generosity to her __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

09-14-2012, 01:38 PM	#5
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	So...two of the pictures are in the hands of the artist herself and one with the Tolkiens but the rest are in a house somewhere in Derbyshire? I wonder if whoever has them knows what they are or what they might be worth? A bit scary as it's the kind of thing that might well end up at a car boot sale... And Tolkien injured his leg after running down the stairs at the age of 76? I can imagine what sort of a task it was to empty out his study of all his papers and books and shift them down to the coast without his supervision. A nightmare! __________________ Gordon's alive!

09-14-2012, 03:15 PM	#6
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,458	Since it is a friend of the artist I imagine they do and I hope that this publicity will mean they won't be lost if say the friend is of the same generation as Miss Fairburn and the house,like Tolkiens had to be packed up without their supervision. Be nice if the lost ones turned up....not beyond the realms... I don't like the Galadriel quite as much - the scenery is lovely but not sure about Galadriel's face.. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace