An extensive interview with Catherine McIlwaine on the new exhibition. From BBC Radio Oxford broadcast on 30 May. Available for 24 days. The interesting stuff starts just after 1 hour 6 mins: and is about 18 minutes long with three minutes of music in the middle which you can skip

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0673w2r

Eorl wrote:
Does anyone know the difference between the Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth and the Tolkien: Treasures book? The description isn’t entirely clear.

Now that I have both books, Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth, is a lovely book, well written and superb illustrations of everything that is in the exhibition, and some items that are not.

One thing that is also useful for anyone intending to attend the New York exhibition, a list is provided at the back of the book of what is being exhibited at that event.

Also, I’d asked if the Tolkien: Treasures book would have a hardcover release, but never received a reply from them. Anyone know?

The Tolkien: Treasures book, which is paperback only, is a small book, which shows some of the items from the exhibition. I can not see anything in this book, that is not in the Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth.

Thanks for that Trotter, I was just trying to decided about Treasures. Glad to know I can skip it.

I looked through both but unfortunately my Treasures copy is being mailed to me rather than hand carried, so I don't have it in front of me for a few days more.

Treasures is (from memory) about 90% art and 10% text, with the text being of a different nature than Maker of Middle-earth. More biographical. The artwork seemed of better reproduction quality, more than one of us noted when in the shop. I definitely am happy to have gotten both, but they definitely serve different purposes and I agree most who have MoMe don't really need both.

More when my box of goodies arrives.

Any sight of the deluxe version?

It is a very nice production. The inserted art prints are quite nice but small enough to fit inside the box that holds the book. Signed by Priscilla. Very nice binding, and the packaging (box, tissue paper, etc) is phenomenal. A very luxurious production. I feel like it was definitely worth the price, but I understand that there is not a lot of unique *material* difference, just cosmetic here.

Later today I have permission to share the 40 or so pictures that were taken by someone else as an unboxing experience, so you can get a better idea of the whole production. I am thinking of making a video of my own unboxing (which will have a small extra surprise different from the photo one) if anyone would be interested.

I forgot to ask: were you wearing your new t-shirt to Oxford?

BH

I wore two! One probably no photographs of as it was on Thursday and I changed into dressier clothes for the reception. The other was on Friday Saturday. I will see if I handed my phone to anyone, or if they have photos they took of me.

Here’s a poor quality selfie from Wednesday actually (wore it for plane flight until shower/change when I arrived Thursday afternoon).

The other one is red with white logo.

I'd be interested in purchasing a black/red one, if you ever plan selling some to the TCG members