The Red Book Project

ob1al · 03-05-2004, 11:17 AM

Hi all,

I just picked up the TABA hobbit set after someone on these boards explained they were all new sculpts. It's actually a very cool set, I really like it, but that's by the by...

The hobbit journal which comes with the set sparked an idea off - wouldn't it be great to have 100% movie accurate full size red book?

Now, I happen to have a contact in New Zealand, of all places

, who specialises in creating authentic prop replicas and suchlike. His work is truly amazing and affordable - a rare combination - and I'm sure that he would be able to create a totally accurrate copy of the red book for us. He is very meticulous and would investigate every aspect of the book, from the type of leather used to the inks etc., so what we would end up with is as close to the real-deal prop as possible...if he is interested in taking the project on.

Anyhooo, I thought I might contact him to ask.

Would anyone else on these boards be interested in finding out more? If we were to commission say, a limited edition run of these, it would keep costs down all round and make it worth his while I guess.

Please indicate your interest level here (if any) - I'll give it a week or so before coming up with approximate numbers based on this information then shoot him an email and post his response and initial thoughts.

Cheers

Alan

edit: changed title to reflect the updated situation with this project.

ImmortalKings · 03-05-2004, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ob1al

Hi all,

I just picked up the TABA hobbit set after someone on these boards explained they were all new sculpts. It's actually a very cool set, I really like it, but that's by the by...

The hobbit journal which comes with the set sparked an idea off - wouldn't it be great to have 100% movie accurate full size red book, or 'Durin's diary' from Moria or Faramir's map of middle earth etc.?

Now, I happen to have a contact in New Zealand, of all places

, who specialises in creating authentic prop replicas and suchlike. His work is truly amazing and affordable - a rare combination - and I'm sure that he would be able to create a totally accurrate copy of the red book for us. He is very meticulous and would investigate every aspect of the book, from the type of leather used to the inks etc., so what we would end up with is as close to the real-deal prop as possible...if he is interested in taking the project on.

Anyhooo, I thought I might contact him to ask.

Would anyone else on these boards be interested in finding out more? If we were to commission say, a limited edition run of these, it would keep costs down all round and make it worth his while I guess.

Please indicate your interest level here (if any) - I'll give it a week or so before coming up with approximate numbers based on this information then shoot him an email and post his response and initial thoughts.

Cheers

Alan

Check out this site if you're interested.

http://www.geocities.com/redbookofwestmarch/

If he can make an authentic replica with all the information of Middle Earth contained therein I will fly to New Zealand to pick it up!!

I'd defiantely be interested in this idea. Based on a scale of 1-10, 10 being wanting the book very very badly, I rate my want for this book a 15!
Thanks for the offer.

iLoveArwen · 03-05-2004, 06:26 PM

I am not a huge collector when it comes to prop replicas (the price keeps me back) but there are some items you just need...the red book being one of them! I think it would be a super rad idea and would be willing to shell over some $ for one!

Arwen idolizer · 03-05-2004, 07:48 PM

i would love a read book. I am very suprised no one has thought of it before considering it was such an important part in the movies.

ImmortalKings · 03-05-2004, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arwen idolizer

i would love a read book. I am very suprised no one has thought of it before considering it was such an important part in the movies.

The work involved in printing the information contained in the Redbook and perhaps some moronic corporate executive who thinks it wouldn't sell have probably held it back.

Arwen idolizer · 03-05-2004, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImmortalKings

The work involved in printing the information contained in the Redbook and perhaps some moronic corporate executive who thinks it wouldn't sell have probably held it back.

it would be awesome if they had it in bilbo's writing too. like in the movie. i would definitely buy it.

ob1al · 03-05-2004, 08:51 PM

Glad to know I'm not the only one who's nuts about this idea!

I have emailed my contact and eagerly await his response - with his permission, I will post here some links to samples of his current work including Thorin's map and Isuldurs scroll - both look SUPERB I must say.

I think you are correct ImmortalKings about a Red book never being made universally available - too much expense, too much research and too much hassle for anyone other than a dedicated skilled enthusiast to take on. On the positive side, if this deal comes off, we will be the proud owners of an amazing limited edition collectable which will be a thing to treasure (and is sure to appreciate in value) in years to come.

I really hope this comes off and will try my best to 'make it so'

Anyone else in the market for a possible Red Book?

Will post any updates as I have them, but keep the interest coming as it's a very good thing.

EDIT:

Quote:

it would be awesome if they had it in bilbo's writing too. like in the movie. i would definitely buy it.

Rest assured, if this comes off the replica will be in Bilbo's and Frodo's individual styles of handwriting, as close to what you see in the movie as is possible. The leather cover will have creases in all the right places, the pages will be stained and aged as appropriate and the drawings and page order will be as close as we can make it.

We will need stills from the movie, suggestions from forum members and of course the absolute right size / numbers for the pages and cover (on a hobbit scale rather than a hobbit actor's prop scale maybe? which is better?)

But all that is yet to pass

Let's see what my man in the field says and take it from there.

Blackthorpe · 03-08-2004, 06:01 PM

I wound definitely be interested in a replica Red Book! Let me know what you find out!! I would really like a couple of blank ones, to fill in myself, though...

AdderBlack · 10-14-2004, 08:53 AM

Hello All! I am a new member here and want in on the RED BOOK. I have bought some of Indy's other work in the past and must say I am impressed. I am a die hard LOTR fan and almost had an O when I recieved an email about the book.

I have a lot of reading to do to get caught up on this thread (18 pages or so) so I will be back later.

Indy Magnoli · 10-14-2004, 04:48 PM

Welcome aboard! You've actually got 28 pages to read! Have fun!!! I'll keep everyone posted via this thread.

If some of you want to receive personal e-mail updates about my projects, you can join my Yahoo group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/propreplicas/

Kind regards,
Indy

Dunedain87 · 10-15-2004, 02:50 PM

Welcome, AdderBlack!! Glad to have another LOTR fan who is also a dedicated Indy fan!!

Indy-- the new Red Book page looks awesome! It really feels like a dream coming true. Congratulations on all the hard work, my friend.

Best,
Dune.

Indy Magnoli · 10-17-2004, 05:48 PM

Thanks! I've added a note at the top of the page that'll keep tabs of how many pages I've finished and an approximate percentage of completion. I'm at about 4% right now...

Kind regards,
Indy

ob1al · 10-18-2004, 06:08 PM

It is quite amazing to see this concept becoming a reality.

I must admit, it is with a certain sense of pride that I view Indy's work; pride at my involvement in a project, which I believe, will be unparalleled in terms of Lord of the Rings collectables.

This is due to the initial labour of love from Dunedain87, all the contributing members of LOTRG, my own contribution of 'The Hobbit' and of course, Indy Magnoli, in who's capable hands the Red Book will reach fruition!

Good show Indy! Good show Dune! The cover art looks fantastic, perfect in every way.

Well done to all, so far!

aredhel · 06-26-2005, 09:37 AM

i am certainly ready to buy ASAP. keep me informed, please.

Indy Magnoli · 06-26-2005, 04:39 PM

Just a quick update... I've finally upgraded my system, so I am now able to take DVD screen grabs, even from the pre-production sketches! So, at least that part of the creative process should go more smoothly. I'm currently at 60% done... it's all down hill from here!

Kind regards,
Indy