Illustrations by J. R. R. Tolkien himself for “The Hobbit” . . . .just grand and a treat just to be able to see. Late 1930’s.

"Bilbo comes to the huts of the raft-elves."
“Bilbo comes to the huts of the raft-elves.” Photograph: The Tolkien Trust. 1977. Image © The J.R.R. Tolkien Copyright Trust. Fair use license in the United States. via https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/may/31/drawn-into-tolkiens-world-exhibition
Untitled.
Untitled. Photograph: The Tolkien Trust 1977. © The J.R.R. Tolkien Copyright Trust. Fair use license in the United States. via https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/may/31/drawn-into-tolkiens-world-exhibition?page=with:img-4#img-4
Dust jacket for "The Hobbit."
Dust jacket for “The Hobbit.” MS. Tolkien Drawings 32, Bodleian Library. © The Tolkien Estate Limited 1937. Fair use license in the United States. via http://www.artfixdaily.com/artwire/release/2094-tolkien-maker-of-middle-earth-exhibition-explores-the-authors-art

See many more here: an exhibit at the Morgan Library & Museum in New York. Read more here: https://www.themorgan.org/exhibitions/tolkien

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Dream images to try to creep into in a cold December day. Heinrich Lefler, maker (1863-1919). Jugenstil and part of the Hagenbund school. Brother in law of set designer Joseph Urban whose ability to draw paths through the silvery dusk must have rubbed off.

"Schneewittchen" (Snow White). ca. 1905.
“Schneewittchen” (Snow White). ca. 1905. Illustration for a fairy tale calendar. In the public domain in the United States because the artist has been dead over 70 years. via https://www.goldenthreadrarebooks.com/blogs/news/heinrich-lefler-part-ii
"Dornröschen," illustration for an edition of Grimm's "Märche". 1915
“Dornröschen,” illustration for an edition of Grimm’s “Märche”. 1915. In the public domain in the United States because the artist has been dead over 70 years. via https://ashleywyman.weebly.com/the-golden-age-of-illustration/heinrich-lefler-1863-1919
"Schneeweißchen und Rosenrot" (Snow-White and Rose-Red). 1905.
“Schneeweißchen und Rosenrot” (Snow-White and Rose-Red). 1905. Illustration for a fairy tale calendar. In the public domain because the artist has been dead over 70 years. via https://www.goldenthreadrarebooks.com/blogs/news/heinrich-lefler-part-ii Lefler A fairytale calendar for the year 1905
"December/Christmas" from the Österreichische Kalender Monatsbilder.  1899.
“December/Christmas” from the Österreichische Kalender Monatsbilder. 1899. In the public domain because the artist has been dead over 70 years. via https://nicklouras.wordpress.com/2018/02/28/the-art-of-heinrich-lefler/
"Gevatter Tod" (Grim Reaper). 1905. Illustration for a fairy tale calendar.
“Gevatter Tod” (Grim Reaper). 1905. Illustration for a fairy tale calendar. In the public domain because the artist has been dead over 70 years. via http://www.graphicine.com/heinrich-lefler-preservation/
Illustration for "Kling-Klang Gloria", a book of German folk and children's songs. 1921.
Illustration for “Kling-Klang Gloria”, a book of German folk and children’s songs. 1921. Collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. In the public domain because the artist has been dead over 70 years. via https://www.mfa.org/collections/object/kling-klang-gloria%E2%80%94deutsche-volks-und-kinderlieder-270747.

Illustrations for children from the far side of where the fairies live. Born in Scotland, Jessie Marion King lived from 1875 to 1949 but her charming ladies with their flower halos live forever.

"The Woodland."
“The Woodland.” Pastels with silver and gold. via https://www.taringa.net/+arte/jessie-marion-king-ilustraciones_zku7z.
"Love's Golden Dream."
“Love’s Golden Dream.” Pastel with silver and gold. via http://vengodelaverno.blogspot.com/2012/05/jessie-marion-king.html.
"Butterflies all Blue."
“Butterflies all Blue.” Pastel with silver and gold. via https://www.taringa.net/+arte/jessie-marion-king-ilustraciones_zku7z
"The Sea Voices."
“The Sea Voices.” Pastel with gold and silver. via http://vengodelaverno.blogspot.com/2012/05/jessie-marion-king.html
"Pray for a Nest."
“Pray for a Nest.” Pastel with gold and silver. via http://artpassions.net/cgi-bin/king.pl?img=songofanest.jpg&artist=king

Artwork in the public domain because it was first published outside the United States prior to January 1, 1923. Images taken from “Seven Happy Days”, a special 1913 special Christmas supplement that the artist did for “The Studio Magazine, which was issued in loose paper wrappers. This is a small sampling. There are many more grand images that you can find via the various blog links. Enjoy!