The exhibition at The Morgan Library & Museum for the first time presented original illustrations, manuscripts and maps from the Hobbit and Lord of the rings by J. R. R. Tolkien. Fans of the Hobbit, the Lord of the rings and the Silmarillion finally be able to see how Tolkien imagined middle earth and iconic characters when writing about them.
Unique in its kind, the exhibition is open from 25 January to 10 may.
The Morgan Library & Museum will show visitors the largest collection of exhibits dedicated to Tolkien ever collected in the United States. In an exhibition entitled «Tolkien: Creator of middle-earth» will include 117 exhibits, extensive collections of Oxford libraries Bodley, libraries, Marquette University, Morgan library and private collections.
Here you will see more drawings, manuscripts, original maps of middle earth, not only the images of Smaug, but the Dark tower of Sauron and other dragons from books, and family pictures and memorabilia of the writer.
Walking through the halls of the Museum, you will learn many new facts, like the fact that the landscape of the Shire, home to hobbits, was a result of inspiration from the countryside around Birmingham (England), where Tolkien spent his childhood.
The exhibition also will be accompanied by various lectures, symposia and workshops on subjects such as «Tolkien and the visual image» and «Make a map of their own fantasy world.»
Below are some of the exhibitions that will be shown for the first time in the United States.
Conversation with Smaug
J. R. R. Tolkien, Conversation with Smaug. Bodleian Libraries, MS. Tolkien Drawings 30. © The Tolkien Estate Limited 1937.
Due to the cost of printing this illustration of Smaug was not included in the original edition of «the Hobbit.» Smaug himself was inspired by the image of a Dragon in the Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf.
The design of the dust jacket for the Hobbit, April 1937
J. R. R. Tolkien Dust jacket design for The Hobbit. Bodleian Libraries, MS. Tolkien Drawings 32. © The Tolkien Estate Limited 1937.
In this design for the book «the Hobbit» birds on the right represent the forces of good, while the dragon on the left represents the forces of evil.
Interested? Then remember the address:
The Morgan Library & Museum located at 225 Madison Avenue. You can read more on the official website of the Museum.
Tickets cost $20. But it is possible to get to the exhibition and free of charge. To do this, just come on any Friday from 7 to 9 PM.
