Tolkien Calendars 1978 - 1980

Contains the hard-to-find Calendar of Numenor for 1978 and the first of the Cahill Inklings calendars. It is still possible to find most of these (some with more patience than others) in like new or even mint condition.
1978 Ballantine Books

ISBN: 345-25689-1-595
"1978 J.R.R. Tolkien Calendar" Illustrations by the Brothers Hildebrandt. Last of the trio (1976, 1977, and 1978) that they did. Dimensions: 13 x 12.25 inches (w x h); stapled; punched hanging hole; heavy-weight cardboard mailer.

Rarity: 5 A copy in an unopened mailer: 7 Appears on ebay at least twice a month with or without the mailer. (x,m)
1978 Ballantine Books

ISBN: 0-345-27080-0
“The Hobbit Desk Calendar 1978” Illustrations by Professor Tolkien. Dimensions: 6.5 x 9 inches (w x h). Plastic comb-bound.

Rarity: 8 Rating based solely on eBay listings where it may appear only several times a year. However, Ballantine probably issued a rather large number of these. (x)
1978 Cahill&Company

#203:295
"Inklings A Calendar for 1978" Quotations from the Inklings (Tolkien, C.S. Lewis et al). Illustrations in black and red. Dimensions: 8.5 x 11 inches (w x h); stapled on the fold; punched hanging hole.

Rarity: 9 Rating based solely on eBay listings; I have seen this on ebay only once. (x)
1978 George Allen & Unwin

ISBN: 0-045-29004-0
“The Silmarillion Calendar 1978” Illustrations by Professor Tolkien (coloration by H.E. Riddett) and Christopher Tolkien. Dimensions: 11 7/8 x 15 1/8 inches (w x h); wire bound; heavy wire hanging loop; medium-weight paperboard mailer/envelope printed with theme similar to the cover of the calendar.

Rarity: 6 Rating based solely on eBay listings; appears at least once/month usually with the original mailer. (x,m)
1978 Permanent Press (div. of Thorin & Co.)

"Calendar of Numenor for 1978" Black and white illustrations by eight artists. Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 inches (w x h); stapled on the fold.

Rarity: 10 I know of only two copies of it (and one of those is in the Marquette University collection).
1979 Ballantine Books

ISBN: 345-27648-5-595
"The 1979 Calendar of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings - A Film" Illustrations from the “Lord of the Rings” animated movie by Ralph Bakshi. Dimensions: 13 x 12.25 inches (w x h); stapled; punched hanging hole; heavy-weight cardboard mailer.

Rarity: 5 Appears on ebay at least twice a month with or without the mailer. A copy in an unopened mailer: 7. (x,m)
1979 Ballantine Books

ISBN: 345-27907-7-495
"The Hobbit Calendar 1979" Illustrations from the Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass animated movie. "The calendar that is not supposed to exist." I have magazine advertisements (click on entry link above to view them) announcing its publication date and then showing it had been cancelled. Obviously, the cancellation notice is incorrect. Dimensions: 13 x 12.25 inches (w x h); stapled. According to the 1977 Publisher's Weekly advertisement, it was to be issued in a "mailing carton." However, in 2013, a cache of these in shrinkwrapped mint state appeared for sale on Ebay.

Rarity: Has appeared on eBay many times in mint state. (7) Has appeared fewer than six times in used condition. (9) (m,x)
1979 Ballantine Books

ISBN: 0-345-27817-8
"The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979” Illustrations by Professor Tolkien (coloration by H.E. Riddett)(same illustrations as the 1978 A&U calendar). Dimensions: 6.5 x 9 inches (w x h); plastic comb-bound on side; cardboard cover.

Rarity: 8 May appear on ebay only once or twice a year. (x)
1979 Cahill&Company

#16005:295
"Inklings 1979" Quotations from the Inklings (Tolkien, C.S. Lewis et al). Illustrations in black and red. Dimensions: 8.5 x 11 inches (w x h); stapled on the fold; punched hanging hole.

Rarity: 9 Rating based solely on eBay listings; I have seen this on ebay only once. (x)
1979 George Allen & Unwin

ISBN: 0-04-529005-9
“J.R.R. Tolkien Calendar 1979” Illustrations by Professor Tolkien (coloration by H.E. Riddett.) Dimensions: 11 7/8 x 15 1/8 inches (w x h); mailer/envelope.

Rarity:6 Rating based solely on frequency of eBay listings; a large number would have been issued by A&U. (x)
1979 Methuen

ISBN: 045-893700-2
VARIANT: "The 1979 Calendar of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings - A Film" Published in Canada. Illustrations from the “Lord of the Rings” animated movie by Ralph Bakshi. Dimensions: 13 x 12.25 inches (w x h); stapled; punched hanging hole; heavy-weight cardboard mailer. The mailer was not sealed as the US issues of Ballantine; it has a "slot and tab"-type closure.

Rarity: 8 With the original mailer: 10 It is not readily distinguished from the US Ballantine issue; one would have to ask the seller for the ISBN. Ratings based solely on eBay listings as it is a commercial issue and there should still be many "out there." (m)
1979 Methuen

ISBN: 0-458-93690-1
VARIANT: "The Silmarillion Desk Calendar 1979” Illustrations by Professor Tolkien (coloration by H.E. Riddett)(same illustrations as the 1978 A&U calendar). Distinguished from Ballantine issue above by ISBN and "Methuen" in upper right-hand corner. Dimensions: 6.5 x 9 inches (w x h); plastic comb-bound on side; cardboard cover.

Rarity: 9 Has appeared on eBay only twice (that I know of). As a commercial issue, there should be more out there. (x)
1979 Peacock Press/Ballantine Books

01142-1
"Frazetta Calendar 1979" Only one Tolkien-related illustration [May: "Gollum (Poster Number 90)"]. Dimensions: 12.5 x 12 inches (w x h); stapled; punched hanging hole; heavy-weight cardboard mailer.

Rarity: 8 A copy in an unopened mailer: 10 Appears infrequently on ebay usually without the mailer. (x)
1980 Ballantine Books

ISBN: 345-28311-2
“The 1980 J.R.R. Tolkien Calendar The Great Illustrators Edition.” Illustrations by ten artists. Dimensions: 13 x 12.25 inches (w x h); stapled; punched hanging hole; heavy-weight cardboard mailer.

Rarity: 5 A copy in an unopened mailer: 7 Appears on ebay at least twice a month with or without the mailer. (x,m)
1980 Ballantine Books

ISBN: 0-345-28534-4-695
“The 1980 J.R.R. Tolkien Desk Calendar” Illustrations by the Brothers Hildebrandt (previously published in the calendars noted above). Dimensions: 9 x 8.5 inches (w x h); white plastic comb-bound.

Rarity: 8 May appear on ebay only once or twice a year. Has appeared on eBay and was once listed on the Spiderweb Art website signed by both brothers: 9. (s)
1980 Saul Zaentz Production Co.; printed by Chorley & Pickersgill Ltd., Leeds.

ISBN: 0-04-5290067
“The Lord of the Rings Film Calendar 1980” Illustrations from the “Lord of the Rings” animated movie by Ralph Bakshi. Dimensions: 12 3/8 x 12.5 inches (w x h); wire bound; heavy wire hanging loop; plastic zip-lock bag imprinted in green with title.

Rarity: 9 Has not been appearing on eBay at all in the last year either with or without the original zip-lock bag. (x,m)