The Art of The Hobbit

I got this book for my birthday, from Lindsay, and have been meaning to blog about it ever since. It's a beautiful book full of Tolkien's own illustrations, maps and designs for The Hobbit. With a detailed introduction talking about how he always wanted The Hobbit to include illustrations, and thus the first edition did, something that many of today's versions lack. Which is a real shame!

Tolkien was more than just an author.

JRR Tolkien, not just an author.

Some of the illustrations are simply stunning.

He knew how to draw/ink/paint trees that's for sure.

My first version of the Hobbit has/had (not sure where the book is) this cover.

Tolkien does some neat calligraphy/lettering too.

And maps - is there anything he can't do?!

And he even designed the book binding and dust jacket of the first edition!

So basically the man was a graphic designer too.