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

Unquedor

Unquedor Tolkien Genootschap is a Dutch Tolkien society. Founded in 1981 their website indicates they're an active society.

There is an up to date news page, the society's agenda is on line, Tolkien history, links, message forum and much more. They do not however, have an English version of this website.

As they say in Dutch, "Spreek, vriend, en treed binnen".

Unquedor Tolkien Genootschap

Rolozo Tolkien

Rolozo Tolkien (hosted by TheOneRing.net) created by Ryan Eric Lovett of California has collected quite a few images, drawings and paintings of Tolkien images on the web. The artists range in the most successful to the amateur and in itself is pretty amazing.

The gallery is quite easy to follow. It is sectioned out easily with topics ranging from book illustrations to Tolkien calendars. There is even one page for images of Tolkien himself.

It is sad however that no images have been added since 2006. But when you think of the work involved to keep such a huge site up to date it is understandable. The site is truly a gem.

Rolozo Tolkien

The Tolkienion

The Tolkienion is one of the top notch Tolkien sites out there and was created in 2001 by Steven White. It is well organized and easy on the eyes. A small image page provides links to several major artists work including the site owner Steven White himself.

Also included are a text page which includes a terrific assortment of written works by Tolkien, a lexicon and a HUGE links page.

Have fun at the The Tolkienion.

Free map of Middle-earth to down load

Not a very pretty page however, begun by Chris Taylor and now kept by Chris Guerette this down loadable map, this free gift from the Chris's is for you to take. Last updated 11.24.04 here is a message from the webmaster.

"I am the webmaster of this internet site that has the 506 KB map of Middle-earth with the annotations of source information in the upper right hand corner and ANYONE has permission to print a copy of the file image for personal use."
-Christopher Guerette

The complete map of Middle-earth

The Last Homely House

@ Alan Lee

The Last Homely House is a small site that includes an illustrations page solely of Rivendell. Not much else is Tolkien related other than a few passages from the Lord of the Rings books on the bottom of the illustrations page.

The site owner Aaron Fuegi does however have links to the artists websites on the Rivendell page. And that is worth a look.

The Last Homely House

The Tolkien Society Forodrim

The Tolkien Society Forodrim

As you will see The Tolkien Society Forodrim was created in 1972 in Stockholm, Sweden. Many of the pages are in Swedish however there are a few English gems in them.

Included in this blog already is the Forodrim's Mellonath Daeron, a terrific source of the Elvish language including a guide to the diacritic characters Tolkien uses for said languages and much more.

The site is small but it is a good link if you are planning to meet up with a Tolkien friend in Sweden.

The Tolkien Society Forodrim

The Tolkien Forum

The Tolkien Forum has been around for quite some time. Their vast forums cover every aspect of Middle-earth and than some. Other than the literary discussions there are forums for members art and writing, language discussions, articles written by the members in academic fashion, gaming and of course movie talk.

I said vast and that is the truth. It's large but not unmanageable and many to participate with.

The Tolkien Forum

War of the Ring

War of the Ring offers quite a lot. Starting with the New Line Cinema LoTR craze the site posted up to date news regarding the movies. Currently they still do post news Tolkien related and have an active message forum. Also included in their pages are book reviews, photo forums, a shop (includes everything from shirts to weapons), fan fic page and downloads.

They also have a large archive section for news and such prior to 2004. It's worth a look for a variety of reasons.

War of the Ring

Tolkien Estates

Tolkien Estates showed up on the scene in 2007 just prior to the release of The Children of Húrin. They promise great things from this site and what you'll see here is a start up version if you will.

Some of the subjects written about which will be included on this site wince completed are articles, the portfolio of Tolkien's artwork and an extensive F.A.Q. page. When completed it will boast at least 100 pages.

All very exciting news and I'm sure it will live up to its name hopefully soon.

Tolkien Estates.

Middle-earth Tours

Middle-earth Tours is hosted by TheOneRing.net and created by their member Kyriel. It's a lovely tour that includes images both by artists and the New Line Cinemas movies of LoTR. Included are a timeline from The Silmarillion. The images are collect from another hosted site entitled Rolozo Tolkien. It's not certain if this site has been worked on recently. Like Rolozo Tolkien I believe once the hype of New Lines LoTR movies faded so did the interest to improve on this site.

I did add it here however, because of the unique way they have covered the timeline and subjects of Tolkien's Middle-earth stories.

Mellonath Daeron

Mallonath Daeron is an amazing endeavor. I couldn't begin to tell you how I know however, I am in awe of anyone who can read and write in any of Tolkien's languages. This site is dedicated to the elvish languages in particular. Mellonath Daeron is actually a small part of the Swedish Tolkien Society Forodrim.

Besides the mechanics of the languages there is a page for Mellonath Dearon's publications and a page of members own work translated and other poems. Their links page is quite extensive and includes other sites involved in languages.

The One Ring.net

TheOneRing.net was founded in 1999 by Xoanon and Tehanu. Primarily driven for news regarding Peter Jackson/New Line Cinemas's LoTR movies they hunted for any pre-production news they could find. This site truly is one created by fans for fans and you can read about their history here.

This site has grown to an immense size even out growing it's original one which you can still view in their archive.

Besides current news on the Hobbit movie in pre-production and any news to do with Tolkien including gaming, the site also holds a message forum, Barlimans Chat, polls, a scrapbook from events, a page just for merchandise, events and much more.

It is vast, fresh and fun.

Tolkien Collectors Guide

The Tolkien Collectors Guide is a simple data base to use. With links to specific subjects you can find much of what you are looking for. With a message forum attached you can also find others looking for items you may have knowledge of. Also included is a live chat function.

This is a good place to start and converse with others of like interests. Looks quite easy to use too.

Have fun at The Tolkien Collectors Guide.

John Howe

@John Howe
Hobbiton

John Howe, along with several other artists, is a master at his craft. Having been published in books, calendars and what ever else you can find Tolkien related images he is one of the most recognized artists out there.

His website is teaming with information, images with explanations and blog like entries to linger in. Even his links page is a wealth of information. And last but not least the man even as a forum on his site.

To visualize Tolkien's world remember John Howe.

Encyclopedia of Arda

The Encyclopedia of Arda lives up to its name. This website has literally put every aspect of Arda and it's tales in alphabetical order. From races, places, flora and fauna this amazing collection of information makes it so easy to follow from all, accept for the most earlier works (due to the many inconsistencies), of Tolkien's writings regarding Middle-earth with ease.

Also included are songs, time lines and calendars. Where else could you find out quickly how long an Ent-stride was.

As the Ents travelled through Fangorn Forest, they measured the distances they travelled not in yards and miles, but in Ent-strides. The exact distance of an Ent-stride is never specified in detail, but what notes we have suggest that a single stride for Treebeard would cover approximately four feet (about 1.2m). By that approximate calculation, one mile would be equivalent to 1,320 of his Ent-strides. However, since the Ents seem to have been of varying sizes, it would seem that Ent-strides must also have varied in length from Ent to Ent.

The are only two known distances given in Ent-strides, and one of those is rather vague. The first is Treebeard's stated distance between the hill where he first encountered Merry and Pippin, and his Ent-house at Wellinghall. This journey took seventy thousand Ent-strides, corresponding to just over fifty miles. Later Pippin tried to count the Treebeard's Ent-strides as he travelled to Entmoot, but only managed to reach about three thousand: in other words, he lost count after a journey of less than two and a half miles.

One can spend hours roaming around it's pages from link to link to link. It is a vast amount of work to roam through but very easy to use.

Encyclopedia of Arda