Barbara Remington Poster Appraisal

Barbara Remington 'The Lord of the Rings' Triptych Poster (1966)

This is a large-format horizontal triptych poster featuring the iconic surrealist fantasy artwork by Barbara Remington, originally commissioned for the 1966 Ballantine Books paperback editions of J.R.R. Tolkien’s 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy. The piece is characterized by a dreamlike, psychedelic landscape that transitions from a cool blue-toned left side featuring whimsical trees and pods into a fiery red and orange right side dominated by Mount Doom. The central area depicts stylized mountains, Nazgûl, and strange creatures. Remington notably created this art without having read the books, resulting in a unique aesthetic that includes non-canonical elements like fruit-bearing trees and unusual beasts. The poster is presented in a modern black frame under glazing. The colors appear vibrant, though there is a noticeable horizontal crease or ripple across the top center, likely from previous rolling or environmental moisture. Visible signatures/marks 'B. REM' are discernible in the lower sections of the print. This specific triptych format was sold through Ballantine's 'Ballantine Books Art' department as a promotional companion to the literary series in the mid-to-late 1960s. The craftsmanship reflects typical late-60s mass-market lithographic printing, though its large scale makes it a significant piece of fan memorabilia and mid-century illustration history.