1967 Bruin / Blackburn Map of J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle Earth

A rare map of J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle Earth drawn in 1967 by M. Blackburn and issued in by Bruin Inc. This map is based upon the classic map of Middle Earth drawn by J. R. R.'s son, Christopher Tolkien, for the release of the Fellowship of the Ring. To this map has been appended annotation and overprinting, as well as a legend, detailing the routes taken by various figures from the Lord of the Rings. These are broken out and coded according to the subgroups established after the 'Breaking of the Fellowship' at the end of the Fellowship of the Ring. This map has the novel addition of a scale, uncommon in Middle Earth maps, where distances are frequently debated based upon interpretations of the text.

Context

This is the first of three large-scale separate-issue maps of Middle Earth issued during Tolkien's lifetime. Some library references catalog it as early as 1966, without evidence, but we know it was issued by at least 1968, when it was advertised in Green Dragon, (Issue 4, March 1868). This was followed by the Barbara Remington map (1969, Ballentine) and the Pauline Baynes map (1970, George, Allen and Unwin).

Publication History and Census

This map was compiled by M. Blackburn and published in New York by Bruin Inc. c. 1967. Unfortunately, neither Blackburn nor Bruin have left any trace, so despite being a relatively recent publication, are mired in obscurity. The map was authorized by Houghton Mifflin Company, Tolkien's American publisher. There appear to be at least 3 editions, two 3-color editions and one in black and white. Of the color editions, one has Bruin imprint in the lower left, the other in the lower right (as here). It is not clear which, if either, is earlier. A subsequent uncolored edition was issued with the Houghton Mifflin stamp in the lower left. The map is rare. We note just 6 examples in the OCLC, but limited cataloging does not indicate which variant these represent.