I just got my paws on this book and it is gorgeous! I remember the calendars as a kid. I loved the animated Hobbit movie and found the artwork in the Hildebrandt calendars to be just as fascinating to me as the cartoon was, if not more so (I know I am dating myself here.)
This is not just an art book. The text that goes along with each image tells more about the background behind each painting (I did not know they were such large format paintings until I read this book).
Beautiful artwork along with great text makes for a truly splendid book. Which by the way makes a great gift for anyone that loves Tolkien, Middle Earth or all things Hobbit.
Here’s the official press release along with images from the book. Enjoy.
[amazon_link id=”1606903497″ target=”_blank” ]THE TOLKIEN YEARS OF THE BROTHERS HILDEBRANDT IS BACK![/amazon_link]
THE OUT OF PRINT CLASSIC IS UPDATED AND EXPANDED!!!
The million-selling Lord of the Rings calendars created during the ’70s by renowned fantasy artists Greg and Tim Hildebrandt are now considered artistic masterpieces. This coffee table art book, “[amazon_link id=”1606903497″ target=”_blank” ]The Tolkien Years of the Brothers Hildebrandt[/amazon_link]”, collects all that fantastic art, while telling the untold story behind the creation of those cherished illustrations, written by Greg Hildebrandt, Jr.! Be sure to pick up this book in September for only $29.99!
A fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the work of two renowned fantasy artists, written through the eyes of Greg’s son. The Brothers Hildebrandt art provided Tolkien-lovers with a fantastic treasury of Lord of the Rings art…the movies of which have now grossed billions worldwide! This is the perfect time to get the book, with J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit motion picture coming out in December 2013!
Written by Greg Hildebrandt, Jr., Greg Hildebrandt’s son, this book tells the story through the eyes of young Gregory when, at ages five, six, and seven he posed for the various “little people” characters known as the Hobbits. Gregory reminisces about his key role in the development of these calendar paintings and the unique creative ingenuity of his father and uncle.
“From 1975 through most of 1977 my brother, Tim, and I focused primarily on our art for our three J.R.R. Tolkien, Lord of the Rings calendars,” says LIVING LEGEND GREG HILDEBRANDT! “We painted these for Ballantine Books. We were obsessed with this art. It consumed us. Since the last calendar was published in 1978 we created additional art based on Tolkien’s Ring. This expanded edition of our Tolkien art book is the most comprehensive compilation of that art. The book in itself is a labor of love as it took almost a year to put together and design. If you are a Lord of the Rings fan or a fan of our art this is a really great collection. One that I am proud of and I hope one that you will enjoy for years. This updated and expanded edition includes all new pages with commentary and exclusive material.”
“As a long time fan of Greg and Tim’s work, and a fan of the original book it is my honor that Dynamite Entertainment will publish the newest version of this acclaimed book,” adds Dynamite Entertainment President and Publisher Nick Barrucci. “Greg and Tim Hildebrandt are legends and it is my honor that we can help add to their legacy!”
Also, in July 2012, we have advance solicited The Tolkien Art of the Brothers Hildebrandt 2013 Calendar for October shipping! Once more, from the magical world of Middle-Earth. Greg Hildebrandt has chosen 14 pieces of original art from the 1976, 1977, and 1978 J.R.R. Tolkien calendars originally created for Ballantine Books. 37 years ago, Greg and Tim dove into Tolkien’s epic The Lord of the Rings with all the enthusiasm they could possibly have mustered. Their art set a standard for what the world saw as The Lord of the Rings. This art is loved world-wide. This calendar represents an excellent look at some of the best of [amazon_link id=”1606903497″ target=”_blank” ]The Brothers Hildebrandt Tolkien[/amazon_link] art.
The Hildebrandt Official Website: http://www.brothershildebrandt.com/tolkien.htm
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DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT was founded in 2004 and is home to several best-selling comic book titles and properties, including The Shadow, The Boys, Green Hornet, Vampirella, Warlord of Mars, Bionic Man, Game of Thrones and more!
In addition to their critically-acclaimed titles and best selling comics, Dynamite works with some of the most high profile creators in comics and entertainment, including Alex Ross, John Cassaday, Garth Ennis, Michael Avon Oeming, Mel Rubi, Marc Guggenheim, Stephen Sadowski, Mike Carey, Jim Krueger, Greg Pak, Brett Matthews, Jae Lee, Matt Wagner and a host of up and coming new talent!
DYNAMITE is consistently ranked in the upper tiers of comic book publishers and several of their titles – including Alex Ross and Jim Krueger’s PROJECT SUPERPOWERS – have debuted in the Top Ten lists produced by Diamond Comics Distributors. Several of their titles have also hit The New York Times Best-Sellers list: The Boys, Vampirella Archives, Robert Jordan’s New Spring and Wheel of Time graphic novels. In 2005 Diamond awarded the company a GEM award for Best New Publisher and another GEM in 2006 for Comics Publisher of the Year (under 5%). Dynamite recently won the Diamond Gem Award for Best Publisher Under 4% of market share for 2011! The company has also been nominated for and won several industry awards, including the prestigious Harvey and Eisner Awards.