Lost Lord of the Rings artworks created in Newcastle could sell for thousands at auction

Artwork created in Newcastle that became the basis for vintage posters celebrating Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings is set to go under the hammer after lying forgotten in the artist’s attic for decades.

In 1969 and 1970 Count Dominic Bon de Sousa Pernes, the London-born son of a Portuguese aristocrat, was an architecture student at Newcastle University. While living in the city, he was commissioned to create three posters capturing the fantasy world of author JRR Tolkien.

Tolkien was the author of high fantasy books The Hobbit, published in 1937, and its sequel The Lord of the Rings, published in 1954. Together they have sold more than 250 million copies, and both titles have had a profound impact on popular culture inspiring productions on stage and screen.

Dominic’s posters were a big hit upon release, but two of his designs have languished in his attic for decades. Four years ago he was amazed to discover prints of posters he’d drawn 50 years earlier were collectors’ items changing hands around the world for £350-£400 each.

Now, Tolkien fans have an opportunity to own the real thing. Dominic, 76, is parting with his original signed artwork for two psychedelic posters, one depicting wizard Gandalf, leader of the Fellowship of the Ring, and the other his fictional horse Shadowfax. His designs will go under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers this Tuesday, June 4, guided at £2,000 to £3,000 each – and they are tipped to spark a bidding battle among Tolkien fans.

Dominic, who nowadays is CEO of his own London-based design consultancy DBSP Design Consultants, said: “JRR Tolkien’s son, Michael, actually taught me Roman history at Ampleforth College, near York, in 1966. Later, when I was studying architecture in Newcastle, I was commissioned to create a series of drawings in sequence – Gollum, Gandalf and Shadowfax from The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.

“I knew the books extremely well because I’d been taught by Mr Tolkien. It was an extraordinary mix of what I thought the characters looked like based on my reading and interpretation of the books. Gandalf’s face was based on Leonardo da Vinci’s Old Man. Then, years later when the Tolkien Estate released film rights, there was an uncanny resemblance to my characters in the film, especially Gollum and Gandalf.

“The posters sold well. They were available at a legendary London science fiction bookshop called Dark They Were and Golden Eyed. The Gandalf and Shadowfax artworks have been stuck in my attic for years. Hopefully they will go to some big Tolkien fans.”

Jim Spencer, director of Hansons’ Rare Book Auctions, said: “Tolkien is one of the most hotly-collected authors right now and the arrival of these important artworks on the open market for the first time ever will be a big surprise for Tolkien fans. Why, when and who created them has been a talking point among collectors for years. This solves the mystery.”

Mr Spencer added: “When you read Dominic’s resume you realise he is a multi-talented polymath. His abilities go far beyond art, architecture and design. He’s played clarinet and saxophone since the age of seven and performed with musical greats such as Mark Knopfler, Sting, Marc Bolan, David Bowie and Bryan Ferry. He was also saxophonist with the Tyneside band Goldie who reached number seven in the UK singles chart with Making Up Again in 1978. He’s also had involvement in films including being a body double for actor Al Pacino. On top of all that, he’s designed legendary artwork that’s part of the Tolkien fantasy novel history.”

The two posters, lots 17 and 18, will be offered in the Library Auction, Hansons Auctioneers, Bishton Hall, Staffordshire, England, on June 4, 2024. For catalogue/bidding: hansonslive.hansonsauctioneers.co.uk / the-saleroom | Live online auctions site | Collectables & Antiques. Enquires: jspencer@hansonsauctioneers.co.uk