1987 The Death of Smaug Poster, by John Howe, The Hobbit 50th Anniversary, J.R.R. Tolkien, Bard the Bowman, Laketown, fantasy wall art decor

1987 The Death of Smaug Poster, by John Howe, The Hobbit 50th Anniversary, J.R.R. Tolkien, Bard the Bowman, Laketown, fantasy wall art decor

This is a 1987 poster of the 50th anniversary printing of J.R.R Tolkien's "The Hobbit" by John Howe. It shows Smaug the Dragon burning Laketown, the home of the Master and Bard the Bowman. Smaug would briefly regret the experience...
Dimensions: 16.5 in x 21 in (42cm x 53 cm)
Drawn by John Howe 1986
Printed in England by Unwin Hyman Paperbacks

Smaug was the greatest fire-breathing dragon of the Third Age. In T.A. 2770 he attacked the Lonely Mountain and the town of Dale. He claimed the treasure of the mountain for himself and forced Thrór, King under the Mountain, and his people into exile. Thorin's quest - with the help of his burglar Bilbo Baggins - to reclaim the treasure ended in success when Smaug was slain by Bard in T.A. 2941.

Smaug resolved to attack and destroy Laketown when he deduced that Bilbo must have come from there. He approached it in a rage. The waters around it turned red but Smaug dared not get too close as the water would quench his fire; as the Lake-men had cut the bridges, Smaug flew above attacking and setting the town aflame, destroying the Great House with a swipe of his tail. The dragon's scales were impervious to the arrows of the defenders, but the thrush had flown to the town and informed Bard - a descendent of Girion, Lord of Dale - of the bare spot in Smaug's armour. He was then able to kill Smaug by firing the Black Arrow directly into the vulnerable spot of his left breast. As Smaug fell he crashed into and destroyed Esgaroth.

Because of the age of these posters, there are areas of wear and tear, particularly on the edges. I have done my best to take photos where they are torn. The good news is that when framed, the tears press up well against glass, and edges can be hidden by mats. Any wear picked up from years are part of the charm.

When framed these colourful and detailed posters can become a centre piece for any room, to remind us of a simpler time.

These posters are sent as unframed. They will be rolled up and delivered in a cardboard tube for protection.

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