1971 Baynes Map of the Hobbit Bilbo's Journey through Eriador and Rhovanion (First Trade Printing)

This is the English 'George Allen and Unwin' first trade printing of the iconic 1971 poster map of J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle Earth drawn by Pauline Baynes to promote The Hobbit. It is the earliest obtainable iteration of the map, with notably superior production quality and printing over all subsequent editions. Tolkien heaped praise upon Baynes' work, saying, 'They are more than illustrations, they are a collateral theme. I showed them to my friends whose polite comment was that they reduced my text to a commentary on the drawings.'

The Making of the Map

Coverage embraces the primary theater of The Hobbit, covering Bilbo's epic journey from Hobbiton, along the Great East Road, over the Misty Mountains, then through Mirkwood to the Lonely Mountain. Circular vignettes illustrate important sites visited on the journey, including Elrond's House, Rivendell, Gollum's cave, the Shire, Bilbo's house, Bag End, Dale, Beorn's house, the Elven King's Hall, and Lonely Mountain itself. The map also features locations mentioned but not visited in The Hobbit, such as the dark realm of Angmar, the Elven kingdom of Lorien, Moria Gate, the Grey Mountains, the Withered Heath, and more. Smaug, the dragon, appears at top right.

Baynes worked closely with Tolkien to complete the map, visiting and corresponding with him extensively - at one point she described him as 'not very helpful.' Later, he was apparently pleased with the map, as Baynes wrote regarding the map's release event, 'He is in great form - first names and kissing all round - and pleased with the map.'

Publication History and Census

The map was drawn by Pauline Baynes in 1970 and published in 1971 by George Allen and Unwin. There are multiple printings in different sizes and qualities. The present example corresponds to the First British Trade Printing. It is the earliest obtainable printing of this iconic poster, preceded only by a run of 50 proofs for Baynes and her friends. This printing, by Jolly and Barber Ltd., is also superior in quality to all subsequent printings, with better paper and richer color. British editions, as here, are printed to the edge of the paper and have an orange banner at the bottom. U.S. editions are surrounded by a white margin and have a significantly lower print quality. There are also two sizes, 31 1/2 x 22 in (both U.S. and U.K.) and 36 x 24 in (U.S. only). U.S. editions may also have the Ballantine imprint. We have seen rumors in Tolkien collector forums that suggest there are editions with moon runes imbued into the paper, which are visible only when backlit. If such exists, we have never seen it. While widely reproduced, originals First Trade Printings with the 'George Allen and Unwin' imprint at the bottom center, as here, are very scarce.