The Collection Grows

[Lolidir]

Around the house i have the most "junk" to everyone else, but my prize possession. Every time i go to the store I always take a stroll back through the toy section to take a look at the LotR action figures.

1. I have the books about 4 times over including the Hobbit. 2 versions belong to my father and they are the old covers (My sister bought him some mintcondition (first edition if I'm not mistaken) which I hope to come by in my time to come.
2. I have the complete set of the movies in Extended and not.
3. I have all 3 soundtracks.
4. I have Trivial Pursuit, Risk, and Monopoly (which is awesome)
5. I have about 7 to 8 action figures, the box set including the Mouth of Sauron.
6. For my birthday last year my sister played a joke and got me all the LotR party supplies possible, which i took to my room and added to my collection.
7. I have a magazine that i got for buying the movie at BestBuy.
8. I have all but the Hobbit goames for XBox, and all of them for GameBoy Advanced.
9. I have a book mark with Legolas on it.
10. I have a box from Anduril, becasue my friend who bought it was going to throw it away, so i brought it home.
11. I have a few of the other books by Tolkien. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Book of Lost Tales 1, Farmer Giles of Ham, The Tolkien Reader, Unfinished Tales.

I hope to get the rest of the books eventually, but as of the moment I have no money and will be needing it in the near future. If I had money I would buy the Fighting Knives of Legolas first though. There are just so many things out there and not enough money. Does this annoy anyone else? If only I were rich. I would have no lack of LotR stuff.

[Samwise]

...I actually recieved as a complete surprise a week or so ago. A friend had mentioned that she "saw it" in the store some time ago, and "thought of me", never mentioning, of course, that she'd actually BOUGHT it!

Anyway, imagine my surprise to get a package I didn't expect, THEN to open it and find a copy of There and Back Again, An Actor's Tale , by Sean Astin!

Haven't had much chance to read it yet, but I will.

[Morai]

I hope to get the rest of the books eventually, but as of the moment I have no money and will be needing it in the near future. If I had money I would buy the Fighting Knives of Legolas first though. There are just so many things out there and not enough money. Does this annoy anyone else? If only I were rich. I would have no lack of LotR stuff.

It annoys me at least. It would be nice to have some LOTR related weapons, like a Sting to hang on my wall somewheres....

[Child of the 7th Age]

We haven't heard from Samwise in a while. I had to scramble over to the second page to find and retrieve this collectibles thread.

This topic isn't exactly appropriate for Mirth, but I didn't know where else to put it. (I don't think crying is allowed in this Forum so please excuse if I shed a gentle tear.) This evening I saw a collectible on e-bay that was so extraordinary I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. For a mere $15,000 you can purchase a detailed eight page letter from Tolkien written in 1947 to another professor at Oxford in which JRRT discusses languages and their relation to society. Click here for ebay listing.

The letter is typescript and single spaced and seems to be packed with annotations in Tolkien's own hand. The snippet that they quote from this gem seems intriguing in that it shows Tolkien as being more sympathetic to change than sometimes thought, at least in the sphere of linguistic development.

I always reply that I have no concern with 'correctness' not as an adjudicater or arbiter, which I am not: though, of course, I am interested in the idea of correctness, which is an important and interesting phenomenon in itself. And my advice is always do as you please! Then, if you happen to be in the coming fashion, or can make it, you will become 'correct'. If not, not. And this reply seems as a rule to be sufficiently novel, even startling, to maintain my reputation for wisdom. For the idea that there is somewhere deposited a correct answer on all linguistic questions or divergences that somebody knows (if he can be induced to speak) seems deeply implanted. If the King no longer controls English, then there must be a Cabinet that does. And many people do me the unwarranted honour of supposing that I must be a member. I am not. I am a linguistic historian, of scientific outlook... and a poet.... '

My frustration is twofold. First, I do not have a spare $15,000 to purchase this letter. If I did, I would buy it and donate it to the collection at Marquette or another suitable repository. That brings me to my second frustration. I am an avid collector of many things Tolkien, but there are some collectibles so marvelous and unique that they simply should not be in private hands. ( I would, of course, exclude personal material that remains in the hands of the author's own kin who may choose or not to release such items. As a letter sent to another academic, however, this particular item does not fall into this group.)

This letter may be snarfed up by a well-to-do private collector and that is the last we will ever see of it, never to know what is on those other seven pages. Or, if we are lucky, it will be purchased by a dealer in rare books and manuscripts and will ultimately be resold in a larger venue and perhaps eventually make its way to a library or other public collection.

I guess what I am saying is that something like this belongs in a "mathom house" where anyone can come and read it instead of tucked away in someone's bureau or safety deposit box. The Baggins family obviously understood this when their mithril coat was donated to the local mathom house.

[Samwise]

Howdy!

Well, a couple of weeks or so ago, I was in our local Shire (K) Mart, when I passed one of those little discount racks they have out in the middle of the aisle.

I did a double-take.

There, sitting forlornly amidst the Barbies and Bratz, was a

LOTR ROTK Dluxe Poseable Sam Gamgee!

You realize of course, being the Sam fan that I am, I just had to rescue him...and hey, $9.99 was a small ransom to pay to get him out of there and safe in my LOTR collection.

[wilwarin538]

I just got the book J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography by Humphrey Carpenter. I'm only on page 37 but it's amazing so far.

[Samwise]

Like your Avatar. I think there actually may have been a thread about
"Middle Earth Idol" at one time....unless it's just something I thought of doing, but I doubt the latter...

[Samwise]

I was right. it's right here:

Middle-Earth Idol

[Samwise]

It was a Christmas gift.
I did see another at Kaybee Toys, though, if you have one near you. I suppose they'd be at any big toystore (that's good enough to carry LOTR stuff) [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

Oooh...I've always wanted a full-size "Sting" It's just explaining to my mother why I bought a sword....

For those of us who are obsessed, no explanation is needed. For those who are not, no explanation is sufficient. [img]smilies/cool.gif[/img]
Go ahead and buy it, Samwise...you know your collection needs it. [img]smilies/evil.gif[/img]

[Samwise]

Well, then there's this teeny tiny problem of FINDING one.... [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img]



[ August 13, 2003: Message edited by: Samwise ]

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

Samwise: I sent you a PM with the website where I got mine. Didn't want to get in trouble with B-W by putting the link here. It would definitely be a great addition to your collection! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

[Samwise]

Oi....if only they paid Preschool teachers more.... [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img]

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

Tell all your family and friends to give you cash in lieu of gifts for your birthday, and then buy it as a birthday gift for yourself. (The swords were my birthday gift to myself.)
If that doesn't work, then there's always that letter to Santa... [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img]

[Sillabub]

Hmm, lemme see....My wall is taken up by pictures from CATS, so nothing can go there...AHHH!Ok!
-The Fellowship (book), which I smuggled from my sister's room (she keeps her books under lock & key I swear!)
-Various parts of the book I have re-written
-character sketches (about 3)
-stories I've printed off the net
Sorry, I don't have a big collection! I just recently became obsessed with LOTR, so I haven't had much time to build up one!

[Morai]

Don't feel bad Sillabub, I think you already have more in your collection than I do. (And I've been a fan since Last January, sad isn't it?) Oh well, my collection will get bigger when TTT comes out on VHS. (Not till the end of August no.... [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img] [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img] )

[Samwise]

Perfectly all right not to have a BIG collection---you get what you get 'cause you like it--at least I do. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

I've since added a signed photo of Li'l Mr. Wood to my collection, and am searching for one of Mr. Astin (OOC). [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

My collection consists of:
*several sets of paperback copies of the Silm, the Hobbit, & LotR (from current versions with movie photos to the old psychedelic ones with emus/eggplants)
*BoLT part 1 & 2
*history of LotR parts 1-4
*Tolkein Illustrated Encyclopedia
*Atlas of Middle-Earth
*paperback of Bored of the Rings
*the Alan Lee illustrated centenary of LotR
*the Annotated Hobbit
*first American ed Silm
*collectors ed Hobbit
*first ed collectors ed LotR
*unabridged audio cd's of Silm, Hobbit & LotR
*theatrical release dvd FotR
*extended version dvd FotR
*approx 200-300 photos from the film that cycle as screensavers/wallpaper in both my home computer & my work computer
*miniature replica of Sting (letter opener size)
*full-size replica of Sting with scabbard
*full-size replica of Strider's ranger sword
*(the full-size replica of Narsil is still on back order)

Wooohooo!! Narsil came back in stock. It's now on display in my living room with the other two. These swords are sooo awesome!! I've also acquired the Éomer and Aragorn action figures (with Sword Attack Action & Real Arrow Launching Action, respectively).

Samwise: I haven't been able to locate that Sam with the skillet figure anywhere, but I'm still searching. I won't give up. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] **There is still hope!**

[Samwise]

Don't. He'll be worth it. I can't get over the DETAIL they put into those (well, I've only had ONE to closely study,)action figures! [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img] They are really great!
I saw a Sam figure like mine, in box, on ebay--don't know if that would be an option for you.

As for the full-size Sting for me, maybe someday....still working on the Sean Astin (OOC) photo. [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img] I've been trying ebay, but all they seem to have is him IC. I know they sell photos on Mr. Astin's "Official" site, but $30.... [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img] Agh....delimmas.... [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img]

[Samwise]

Oh, and this isn't really LOTR, but I did recently recieve a mint condition set of Topps GOONIES stickers...featuring none other than the actor who played my fave li'l hobbit--before he was "grown up"! [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] Oi....

[Gorwingel]

I just added two small things to my GROWING collection. In a small store in Spokane Washington I was able to find the Bag End keychain. It is the one that when you open the door and look in you can see Gandalf, it is very cool. And I also ordered the light up One Ring one from the internet, when I get my own car (like that will ever happen) it is going on my keys!

I think this summer I may buy a sword. It would really like to have Eowyn's when it comes out (I don't really like any of the others except for maybe Sting)

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

I've since added a signed photo of Li'l Mr. Wood to my collection, and am searching for one of Mr. Astin

Samwise: I meant to ask in my last post but hit the 'Add Reply' too quick. Which pic of Elijah did you get? How big? (I'm so envious!) [img]smilies/cool.gif[/img] Did you find it on ebay?

I think the next addition to my collection might be the life-size standups for Frodo (and/or the 4 hobbits) and Aragorn. **I told you this collection had a life of its own**

[Samwise]

I was able to find the Bag End keychain.

Oh...I remember seeing that offered on line back when FOTR came out. [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img] Was still not sure of ordering on line then. Out of all the ones they offered, I would have liked to own that one.

[Samwise]

Samwise: I meant to ask in my last post but hit the 'Add Reply' too quick. Which pic of Elijah did you get? How big? (I'm so envious!) Did you find it on ebay?

Which one? Um....it's of him in a dark shirt and tie, big smile, (teeth and all)...the light's a little funny--kind of makes him look like he has a sunburn.... but it's cute. It's an 8x10, and yep, ebay.

[ May 17, 2003: Message edited by: Samwise ]

[Morai]

I haven't bought any action figures, plainly just because I've only found one that I think really catches those hobbit faces. (Making Frodo seem to fierce, and Merry and Pippin don't seem anything like the movie) Sigh [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img] , Though online I saw adorable German Frodo doll, unfortunatly I haven't seen it in America.

I'm also looking for a cute pic of all four hobbits, Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin, haven't found much. Man! I must be picky! [img]smilies/redface.gif[/img]

[Samwise]

I think Sideshow Toy does a fairly good job of capturing the Hobbit faces....I thought, when I first got my Sam and Bill, that they could have sculpted a little more "weight" into his face, but otherwise it's very well done. Of course, Sideshow items would cause a bit more strain on the pocketbook than would something from (ie [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] Kaybee Toys... [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img]

[Lindril Arvilya]

Alright... here's mine:

~FotR (yellow), TTT (red) hardcover books, and I'll get RotK for Christmas. (It's an annual thing)
~Aragorn, Arwen, Asfaloth, Frodo, Legolas action figures
~Frodo/Sam, Merry/Pippin, Aragorn bookmarks
~One Ring (from my mom's Bilbo bookmark, she said it was too bulky so I "relieved" her of it) which I put on a chain (and the chain looks just like the movie one!)
~FotR Movie Guide
~"The Lord of the Rings: The Making of the Movie Trilogy" (get this book!)
~guide/program thing from both exhibits, including newspaper articles promoting said exhibits and ticket stubs
~"Poems from The Lord of the Rings" (illustrated by Alan Jackson!)
~"The Magical Worlds of Lord of the Rings"
~"Symphony #1- The Lord of the Rings"
~mounted poster, circa 1988 (gorgeous faces on the characters, and my, Gollum looks creepy!)
~Elven cloak (grey wool), with hood and golden leaf clasp
~photos of my kindred spirit Katherine dressed as an Elf for TTT exhibit (very convincingly too, may I add)
~my own Elvish shirt, black velvet with a lace-up front
~a drawing of the Moria door which I did for Art class
~my agenda, completely full of LotR jokes, pictures, and quotes
~the '80 and '81 Hildebrandt calendars
~2003 TTT calendar
~about four trading cards
~FotR video
~many, many newspaper articles (I have the cast composite photo which I cut out under glass now!)
~many, many comic strips (such as the "Heart of the City" or "Get Fuzzy" ones with LotR parodies or references)
~floppy disk full of Middle Earth artwork
~a file on my computer, filled with images of the movie characters and book illustrations
~a file of some of the better parodies/jokes/songs on this site
~membership at at least three LotR websites
~"Tolkien: The Illustrated Encyclopedia" (I knew my boyfriend was right for me when he bought me this...)
~soon to add: Sting replica, various t-shirts I have yet to get made, FotR Extended DVD (my birthday's coming up)

Things that are not mine, but which I've still managed to "collect":
~"The Silmarillion" (black & silver version) belongs to my best friend's little sister
~The Hobbit, FotR, TTT, RotK 1971 edition, signed by... my mom in '73!
~Faramir action figure, belongs to my brother
~FotR, TTT soundtracks, belong to my mom (but I bought them for her)
~"The Map of Tolkien's Middle Earth", belongs to my brother
~"Tolkien: A Look Behind the Rings" 1969 edition, belongs to my mom
~"A Guide to Middle Earth" 1971 edition, belongs to my mom
~one other book that I seem to have lost in my room, it's about Tolkien's fairy tales, has Leaf By Niggle in it... I'll find it eventually, and give it back to my mom

That may possibly be it. But I'm not sure. I'll add as I think of more.

[ May 17, 2003: Message edited by: Lindril Arvilya ]

[ May 19, 2003: Message edited by: Lindril Arvilya ]

[Samwise]

I know what you mean. I'm quite picky too...I keep getting ebay notices about the "Sean Astin Signed Photo" I'm looking for, and when I go to look at the item they're showing it's either of him as Sam, or him as Rudy, and while he still looks like himself as Rudy, I want a pic of him as himself!! [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img] [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img] [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img]

[Samwise]

~Elven cloak (grey wool), with hood and golden leaf clasp

Oooh....another thing I'd like to get is a cloak. I do have a hand-made Elven Brooch, but It's not big enough to hold a cloak together. I could just do the tie-up style like my Sam. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

~many, many comic strips (such as the "Heart of the City" or "Get Fuzzy" ones with LotR parodies or references)

"Get Fuzzy?" can't recall any Tolkien references in that one...though really, I don't get a hold of the paper all that often...can you give some examples?

I really enjoy the Fox Trot LOTR parodies...but I've only seen them on line.
[img]smilies/frown.gif[/img]

[Lindril Arvilya]

There were about three (in a row) in Get Fuzzy, concerning this little black cat called Frodo. Then Bucky started doing weird "my precious" stuff with a teddy bear and so on. It wasn't exactly an epic.

And congratulate me. I am no longer a Wight. This was my 251 post. Huzzah. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

[Samwise]

Ah, okay. Have you ever seen the Fox Trot ones? Those are funny. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

[Luinalatawen]

My collection:

2 copies of LotR
1 copy of The Hobbit
1 copy of The Silm
1 copy of UT
A Tolkien Miscellany from QPB bookclub- has just about all of Tolkien's other works!
The Languages of ME by R. Noel
The visual companion for TTT
The Making of the Movies book
Tolkien Bestiary by D. Day
6 Action Figures
-Legolas
-Aragorn
-Gandalf
-Saruman
-Theoden
-Gondorian Ranger, I think
Various clippings and articles about cast memebers, Tolkien, the movies, books, and more
LotR Fellowship daily calendar
LotR Fellowship datebook
TTT poster featuring Aragorn with Arwen and Eowyn
Folder on my computer with almost 600 pictures, files, and sound clips
Taped video copy of the TTT tv special
FotR DVD
FotR Extended DVD
FotR Soundtrack
TTT Collector's ed. soundtrack
About 12 bookmarks
All of the bookmarks that you can get from libraries for free
2 packs of card things

There's probably more.

Oooh...I've always wanted a full-size "Sting" It's just explaining to my mother why I bought a sword....

Are you talking about a real sword or the toy ones that you can get that light up and make noise? Because those are a lot cheaper. I saw them in Wal-Mart. And I didn't see them- there were two empty packages. Someone must've wanted to have a duel so badly that they didn't pay...

[ May 18, 2003: Message edited by: Luinalatawen ]

[ August 18, 2003: Message edited by: Luinalatawen ]

[Samwise]

Light up and make noise? Never saw one of those. I guess what I meant was a "real" one (replica).

[Luinalatawen]

Yes! It lights up and makes a metal clanging noise when you hit it against something. I was lauging in the store when I saw it.

[Samwise]

LOL! Hm. That would be nice to have just for the fun of it. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

[steve]

im gona revamp my list
I got
-action figgures
aragorn
legolas (reg and helms deep)
sam
frodo
merry (2 of him)
pip (2 of him)
gandalf (grey and white with shadowfax)
gimli
Eomer
theoden
rohan warrior
grima
saruman
easterling warrior
moria goblin
ugluck (new and the old toyvault)
grishnak
lurtz
orc overseer
boromir
faramir
cave troll
galadriel (toyvault)
Barrow wight (toyvault)
sauron
nazgul
witchking
witchking (twilight world)
nazgul on horsey
Witchking (Toyvault 12inch)
urukhai beserker
arwen asn asfolath(i know i spelt horsey name wrong)
elven archer
Smeagol/Gollum (my price posession)
treebeard (i use him as a picture frame)
mini cavetroll from burgerking
Gondor ranger

books-
hobbit
Lotr (hardback set softback set)
book of lost tales 1&2
shapin of Me
lays of beleriand
unfinished tales
silm
Tolkien reader
-Tolkien bestiary-
-atlas of middleearth-

videos-
FotR (vhs)
RotK (old animated singing one)

games-
Lotr Risk
FotR (snes)
TTT (gamecube)
(i got like every version for every LotR map ever made for starcraft also)

Misc-
Aragorn goblet from burgerking
Grima bookmark
Whole BBC reading of LotR downloaded

[ May 21, 2003: Message edited by: steve ]

[Samwise]

*After looking over steve's list.* [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img]

WHOA... [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img]

I think I have to go back and update mine, too, now that you mention it.... [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

[Samwise]

Okay, let's see....

Sam and Bill (my prize peice)

The special edition TV Guide with all 4 Hobbits on the cover

A magazine I can't remember the title of with the page open to an article about LOTR---again w/a picture of all 4 Hobbits

"The Arms of the Hobbits"--a plaque with replicas of the 4 Hobbit swords and of course, the weapon of all weapons, Sam's saucepan

Sam's dear companion, Frodo

A stack of newspaper inserts about LOTR/TTT, and one that includes a large article about Li'l Mr. Wood

...and lastly, a Spanish version of the book, "A Bad Case of Stripes". (Yeah, I know it's not LOTR, but there is a site where you can hear this book being read by Sean Astin)

Update:

• Signed photo of Li'l' Mr. Wood
• Two "Hobbit coins"-- one a "Shire Coin" and the other a "Haypenny"
• 3 cards--*One that came from a game, with the pic of the Fellowship on it at the Council of Elrond when he says, "Nine companions to match the nine Ringwriaths-so be it."
  *One with the pic of all four Hobbits with their swords drawn
  *...and the third with the pic of Frodo holding Sting in Rivendell
• A set of LOTR mini-viewers--each with scenes depicting a certain character---Aragorn, Bilbo, Gandalf, Frodo, and the Ringwraiths

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

Are you talking about a real sword or the toy ones that you can get that light up and make noise?

I was referring to the real full-size Sting, Narsil & ranger sword replicas that I own.

"The Arms of the Hobbits"--a plaque with replicas of the 4 Hobbit swords and of course, the weapon of all weapons, Sam's saucepan.

Two "Hobbit coins"-- one a "Shire Coin" and the other a "Haypenny"

Samwise: Where did you find these? I'm still searching for the Sam action figure, but I think my collection needs both of these. The weapons would look great on display with my swords. (we wantss it precious!! we wantss it!) I've never seen any coins...but I would like to add them to my collection. [img]smilies/cool.gif[/img]

[Samwise]

Well, the "Arms of the Hobbits" came from Sideshow Toy. The coins I got on ebay. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]