Oxford University's Bodleian Libraries present the most extensive collection of materials related to J.R.R Tolkien known to have been gathered together for public display since the 1950s.
"Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth" (1 June - 28 October 2018) includes over 200 items - half of which have never been displayed before - from the Bodleian's extensive Tolkien Archive and Marquette University's Tolkien Collection, as well as from important private collections.
Exhibition highlights include:
- Draft manuscripts of The Hobbit showing the evolution of the story displayed alongside striking watercolours, dust jacket designs, line drawings and maps drawn for the publication.
- Original manuscripts of The Lord Of The Rings.
- Photos and letters from Tolkien's childhood and student days exploring themes of love, loss and war.
- A specially-commissioned 3-D map of Middle-earth.
Entrance to this exhibition is free.