Fellowship of the Word-smiths

Fellowship of the Word-smiths or Gwaith I-Phethdain is an interesting site. Created by Ryszard Igor Jerzy Derdzinski for his love of the Elvish languages, he has collected many pages of reference of the major Elvish languages, dialog from all three New Line LoTR productions, essays, compositions, links to downloads to learn these languages, message forum and more.

It's a very interesting site.

Fellowship of the Word-smiths

Dan Smith's Fantasy Fonts

Dan Smith's Fantasy Fonts for Windows is a wonderful site if you are interested in the fonts used in Tolkien's work. Dan explains much including the history of the fonts in Middle-earth and who used them.

The topics are the historic runes used in The Hobbit, Tengwar andCirth Elvish languages. You not only can download Window versions of the fonts but he also includes amazing links to books regarding the subject and other sites for information.

It's easy, interesting and free.

Dan Smith's Fantasy Fonts

A Tolkien Dictionary

A Tolkien Dictionary created by John Ireland may be useful for those interested in Middle-earth etymology. Ireland's sources are the indexes of The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion.

Also included on the bottom of the page is a link to a Tolkien Language List though it appears you may have to be a member of something (not quite clear as to what) in order to access the information. If anyone has information on what the List has to offer and to what you must join to access it please feel free to contact me at lasgalenarts@gmail.com. I will pass any information along in this blog.

A Tolkien Dictionary

Council-of-Elrond

The Council-of-Elrond.com (not to be mixed up with The Council of Elrond) is a massive site. Their welcome letter says it all.

Greetings friends, from the Council-of-Elrond, the last homely house. The Council-of-Elrond was created by fans and admirers of JRR Tolkien to continue the community that had developed over the years at imladris.net when it closed.

Here you can find transcripts of all the LotR films, Middle Earth Fonts, Middle Earth Genealogy charts, Middle Earth Fan Fiction, a LotR Gallery, a large selection of Middle Earth Online Java Games, a friendly forum where you can find discussions and fun on a wealth of subjects, and a whole lot more.

All are welcome here who come in peace.

You can view the message forums and all of the other reference materials, their fan fictions sections as well as sending an e-card using their massive New Line movie stills collection (currently unavailable). All in all it's quite easy to get around and worth a look.

Council of Elrond.com

The US Tolkien Guide

The US Tolkien Guide is very similar to TolkienBooks.net. Here is a little bit about what they are achieving.

The U.S. Tolkien archive project aims to compile the complete printing history of Tolkien books in the United States, taking factors into account that are not commonly addressed by other sources, such as cover designs, original RRP (Regular Retail Price) and other data for reprints. Not all of this information will be published in the guide.

Though all the titles published by author J.R.R. Tolkien are listed here, this isn't so much a bibliography as it is a guide to locating the many editions and variants of them.

This guide is very easy to use. For example I clicked on the link to Smith of Wootton Major and was brought to a page very easy to read and find quick information. This page also included some surprises for me as well.

There is also a related works section which must have been quite an undertaking. It includes reference and criticism titles too. There is also a small Links page which bibliophiles may enjoy.

It is uncertain if this site is kept up to date however, there is contact information available.

The US Tolkien Guide

TolkienBooks.net

This site has a wealth of information for those collecting British editions of Professor Tolkien's books. Their goal is:

TolkienBooks.net is the home of An Illustrated Tolkien Bibliography.The website aims to list all British editions of the published writings of John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings) and to illustrate changes to the texts and covers.

You are privy to a lot of information regarding editions, what the print run numbers were and much, much more. My favorite pages are from the Articles section. Here you can find the contents and more information regarding all Tolkien's Middle-earth titles and a few scholarly titles too.

This site is very easy to navigate and is kept up to date with new collectors information.

TolkienBooks.net

BBC Birmingham Features - brief biography

This is a brief biography with a few archived images of J.R.R. Tolkien. I add it here because for reference reasons there may be a need for someone who needs just quick specifics.

BBC Birmingham Features - brief bio

Quote

'I wish life was not so short,' he thought. 'Languages take such a time, and so do all the things one wants to know about.'

J.R.R. Tolkien

Myhtopoeic Society

The Mythopoeic Society is located in Altadena, California.

The Mythopoeic Society is a non-profit organization promoting the study, discussion, and enjoyment of fantastic and mythic literature through books and periodicals, annual conferences, discussion groups, awards, and more.

We are especially interested in the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Charles Williams, prominent members of the informal Oxford literary circle known as the “Inklings” (1930s-1950s).

This society has much to offer to its' members including The Mythic Cycle a quarterly magazine members contribute to. There are discussion groups, members own website links page, a link page specifically housing links to other Inkling sites and there own linguistic pages including The Elvish Linguistic Fellowship and PARMA ELDALAMBERON 13.

The Mythopoeic Society

Lakeside Gallery - Roger and Linda Garland

Middle-earth
@Roger Garland

Lakeside Gallery is the gallery owned by artists Roger and Linda Garland. Their artwork leans towards subjects of mythology and fantasy including Tolkien.

Roger's work is fresh and clean. There are subjects painted from The Silmarillion such as Ulmo, Lord of the Waters and Luthien in the Woods of Neldoreth to name a few of my personal favorites.

If you enjoy art inspired by Tolkien this is a must see.

Lakeside Gallery

Quote

'It's a job that's never started that takes the longest to finish.'

J.R.R. Tolkien

Thorton's Bookshop

Thorton's Bookshop located in Oxford, England can help you find out of print and rare publications of or about J.R.R. Tolkien. You can join their mailing list or if you click on their logo you get their extensive list of categories of which Tolkien is one of.

Just to experiment I checked on The Hobbit and was given 11 books. The books ranged from the story itself {the Moroccan leather bound edition for $1417.40 was tempting)to literary criticism titles.

This looks like a good place to start your collection.

Thorton's Bookshop

Deutsche Tolkien Gesellschaft E.V.

Deutsche Tolkien Gesellschaft E.V. was founded in 1997. Their website contains up to date Tolkien news, reference pages, and the group appears to be quite active. They do seem to have several events during the year and have their own publications.

Unfortunately, they do not have an English page version of their site but do promise one in the future.

Deutsche Tolkien Gesellschaft E.V.

Compleat Gyde to Tolkien Calendars

The Compleat Gyde to Tolkien Calendars is a well organized, informational site for those who collects calendars. It is easy to navigate and with a chronological list dating back to 1969 it is quite thorough too. The rarity scale used can help you determine if your calendar is one of value. They include an image of a calendar cover dated in 1973 the year the professor died.

The Compleat Gyde to Tolkien Calendars

Tolkien Collector - The Collectible Hobbit

Tolkien Collector - The Collectible Hobbit is specifically for those collecting Tolkien inspired items. From books, jewelry, clothing to swords you can find it there at the Collectible Hobbit. There is also a chat room and Tolkien sudoku page. So if you're in the mood to shop this is probably one of many but very easy to navigate.

Tolkien Collector - The Collectible Hobbit