Oxford unveils UK's first major Tolkien exhibition in decades

The University of Oxford was set to unveil today a "once-in-a-generation" exhibition of materials related to "The Lord of the Rings" author J R R Tolkien, featuring previously unseen objects from several countries.

"Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth", which opened in its Bodleian Libraries, presents manuscripts, artworks, maps, letters and artefacts in the biggest display in decades on the beloved British author -- whose works gave rise to the hugely successful film series.

Some of the exhibits are returning to Oxford -- where Tolkien spent most of his adult life -- for the first time since his death in the historic English city in 1973.

"What we wanted to show was Tolkien's original work, stripping back interpretations to where it all started," curator Catherine McIlwaine, Tolkien archivist at the libraries, told AFP.

The displays showcase the range of John Ronald Reuel Tolkien's output, from early abstract paintings and tales he wrote for his children, to material related to works published posthumously.

"Tolkien has always been a global phenomenon... even when he was alive," said Richard Ovenden, who heads the libraries.

"And we're really the only institution that can do this, having far and away the largest collections of Tolkien materials." - Draft manuscripts -