Prof. Tolkien's Graph Paper Maps

[Rieno]

This article is pretty fantastic:

http://www.wired.com/2015/10/see-jrr-to ... e/#slide-6

I was particularly joyful to see Tolkien's map of Shelob's lair and the comparison to roleplaying games.

[Rich H]

The article the OP links to is referencing the The Art of the Lord of the Rings book that has just been released:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0008 ... oks&sr=1-1

I'm just looking through it now, as my partner bought me a copy for my birthday, and it has many more illustrations, sketches, map, designs, etc than those in the article along with background/summarised information relating to each one - much of which may already be known for those that have read the 'Histories' and other academic works related to LotR but nicely collated and clearly presented herein.

It's particularly lovely to see Tolkien's own designs for book covers along with pages of the Book of Mazarbul (different versions so the pages ripped and 'aged') and a letter sent by Aragorn to Samwise (in various scripts). Some of these have also been published in other books but Tolkien's calligraphy work, even just his written word, is a joy to see and it is like looking through a lens back in time and seeing an old master at work.

[Majestic]

Great article. Thanks for posting it, Rieno!