Hello everyone,
I might be forgetting, but I couldn't seem to find a specific thread on the current (soon to close) exhibition at the ST Lee Gallery in the Weston Library at Oxford, where I am at present. I did find
the events 2018 thread and corresponding post on the Downs Facebook Group but didn't want to clutter it up.
I saw the exhibition today, as I'm in the UK taking a short vacation. While small, I found it very impressive as a display of material from throughout Professor Tolkien's life. A particular highlight might have been the map of Beleriand with Angband actually marked on it, which my Silmarillion at least doesn't have. I also enjoyed seeing a confused publisher's reader response to Beren and Luthķen, the letter from the real Sam Gamgee, the many artworks and everything else really.
The exhibition was very busy and very crowded so it could be a bit of a struggle to get a good look at a few items but in general I had an opportunity to view everything. I understand why it wasn't, but I dearly wish photography had been permitted.
As I haven't been to Oxford since childhood I made a point of visiting the Professor's grave, giving a good long look to the Radcliffe Camera (for all its associations with the Temple in Armenelos besides everything else) and having several pints at the Eagle and Child. I even managed to spend some time in the corner in which the plaques attest the Inklings used to gather.
Have there been any more visits to the exhibition since the aforementioned thread? I believe it's only open for two more weeks but as it's free I would highly recommend it.