jca@drutx.UUCP (ArnsonJC) (09/05/85)
***In reply to inquiries about Tolkien illustrated copies: My copy of 'The Hobbit' is a 1966 edition, 24th printing, and is illustrated by the author. It was published by Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston. 'The Lord of the Rings', 1967 (first American edition) has no illustrations, but the maps are drawn by Tolkien. same publisher 'Tom Bombadil', 1962, and 'Smith of Wooton Major', 1967 are both illustrated by Pauline Baynes. These are both first editions and therfore, I believe that Tolkien had the final say in approval of the illustrations before publication. ***More on Tolkien's sources: It is well know in literary circles that Tolkien was not only a noted philologist (sp?), an Oxford don, assisted in compilation of the Oxford English Dictionary, but was also considered one of the formost 'Beowulf' critics of this century. The concept of ring giving for favors rendered is very prevalent in 'Beowulf'---->Sauron gave rings of power as bribes Unferth, who sat at Hrothgar's feet---->Wormtongue Hrothgar---->Theoden Hrunting, Unferth's sword---->Narsil, Aragorn's sword the sword that Beowulf uses to kill Grendel's mother---> the Morgul blade and the sword of the Barrow Downs the dragon in 'Beowulf'--->Smaug Scyld's funeral boat---Boromir's funeral boat etc. **** The language of Rohan is very similar to Old English(OE). Eo, a preface to many Rohanian names--> OE 'eoh'- horse Ridermark-->OE 'ridda'-horseman 'mearc'-boundry Theoden--> OE '"t"eoden'-prince or king "t"-unprintable letter Ornthac--> OE 'or"t"anc-skillfull contrivance Isengard--> OE 'isen'-iron, 'geard'-dwelling Ent--> OE scion or graft of a tree etc. These entries were all found in the Oxford English Dictionary. -- jill c. arnson ihnp4!druky!drutx!jca May the hair on your toes grow ever longer.