AND Gandalf was allowed to drink what looked like a large mug of coffee
whist he consulted the city rolls. Just where was the archivist when
this flagrent breach of Gondorian Record Office regulations was being
purpetrated-out, gathering more wood for his flaming brands, I expect!
Tom
-----Original Message-----
From: MD Hall, Assistant Archivist, Special Collection
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 29 November 2002 16:38
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Archives in fiction
> In the credits to the first Lord of the Rings film "The Fellowship of
the
> Ring", a character is identified as "Gondorian archivist" who
presumably is
> the wizened little man armed with flaming torch who shows Gandalf
where the
> scrolls are stored by which he identifies the Ring.
>
> A suitably effacing, none speaking role.
>
> I've done my credibility no good at all with that one.
I was appalled at the Archivist's use of a bland of flaming wood and
cloth to show Gandalf Greyhame the whereabouts of the ancient lore of
the White City. Further, he allowed Gandalf to imbibe of the halfling's
pipeweed within the archives, and also treat the documents roughly! I
mean, surely wizards are subtle and quick to anger, but what of
Archivists? Isildur possessed many flaws, but I will wager the archives
of Gondor were treated more responsibly under him than under the
Stewards.
Also, so much of ring-lore is forgotten, it surprises me little to see
the Men of Middle-Earth so disregard their valuable and faithfully
preserved primary sources.
Bother. There goes my credibility as well.
Martin Hall
----------------------
MD Hall, University of Minas Tirith - Bane of Isildur Collections
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