A change of year, a change of calendar(s). Rediscovered Realms unearthed 3 old school TSR & Tolkien fantasy calendars from 1986, 1997, and 2003 that can be used again in 2025. Let’s check ‘em out!
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This Week’s Rediscovered Realms Theme Song:
What happens when a warrior is cursed to travel time throughout their realm to conquer the evil corrupting their world?
If you’ve been here at Rediscovered Realms for a while, you may remember one of our earliest newsletters about re-using some ancient Dragonlance calendars.
Since then, I’ve been rotating these itinerant timekeepers on my wall with old school fantasy calendars that periodically come back in sync.
Now that 2025 has arrived, we can re-use calendars from these years: 1902, 1913, 1919, 1930, 1941, 1947, 1958, 1969, 1975, 1986, 1997, 2003, 2014. They will perfectly line up with this year’s dates.
It just so happens that I have not one but THREE just-exhumed calendars that will be gracing my walls this year:
TSR’s “Amazing Stories: Tales Bizarre and Fantastic” calendar from 1986, featuring Clyde Caldwell, Larry Elmore, Jeff Easley, Keith Parkinson, and Jeff Butler
Tolkien calendar from 1997, illustrated by John Howe
Tolkien calendar from 2003, illustrated by Ted Nasmith
Let’s take a look!
TSR’s “Amazing Stories: Tales Bizarre and Fantastic” calendar
How about that illustration by Keith Parkinson! Anyone remember the Gamma World RPG Boxed set that featured this techno-duo?
How cool that there was a short story contest built-in to this calendar!
DID YOU KNOW? TSR bought the rights to “Amazing Stories” magazine back in 1982! For an excellent history of “Amazing Stories” check out this article from Pulpfest.
One of my favorite paintings by Clyde Caldwell! Though labelled, “A Maiden’s Vengeance” here, his official title of this 1985 masterpiece is “A Princess in Peril”.
DID YOU KNOW? Rediscovered Realms had the privilege of interviewing Clyde Caldwell in 2023!
Another fantasy art master from TSR’s ranks, Larry Elmore, created this flea-bittin’ly awesome fantasy painting.
Ahhh, this painting screams, “Unearthed Arcana” to me. A Jeff Easley classic that never fails to stir the imagination.
I was pleasantly surprised to find this painting I had never seen before by Jeff Butler!
Jeff is another awesome artist (and great guy) who worked at TSR in their heyday. He gave Rediscovered Realms an incredible interview that you need to check out:
Tolkien calendar from 1997, illustrated by John Howe
John Howe is a legend for interpreting Tolkien’s words to paint.
Your next piece of fantasy fun is calling.
Remember to check out the new Rediscovered Realms Amazon Storefront for the most epic gift-giving ideas for those important adventurers in your life (including yourself 🗡)
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Beautiful layout in this calendar with interesting blurbs.
Who doesn’t want to live here?!
DID YOU KNOW? John Howe (along with Alan Lee) served as chief conceptual designers for Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” movie trilogy!
Tolkien calendar from 2003, illustrated by Ted Nasmith
Another Tolkien-illustrator par excellence is Ted Nasmith. He started painting from the world of Middle-earth back in the 1970s!
DID YOU KNOW? Ted Nasmith actually received feedback from J.R.R. Tolkien himself! As a teenager, Ted mailed photographs of “The Unexpected Party” to Tolkien in 1972, who replied by letter within a few weeks. He praised Ted’s work but also commented that Bilbo seemed a little too childlike. Ted took the feedback to heart as he went forward with a more literal interpretation of Tolkien’s world & characters.
This is one of the most impressive (and one of my favorite) renditions of Boromir’s last stand. Magnificent.
Grand Elf - uh, I mean Gandalf!!!
If this rendition of Shelob doesn’t invoke some fear in you, then you’re a really tough cookie (or potentially blind). I’m pretty sure this image will give me nightmares all throughout the month of December.
This calendar also boasts a poster centerfold:
Gee, I wonder what Saruman did to invoke such bark-like ire?
You are not only brave, but a Generous Adventurer whose love of Discovery, Imagination & Fun transcends our mere mortal coils . . .
Winner! Winner! Hobbit Dinner! Dr. Dave! - you have won the grand prize for the “December Dragon’s Hoard FINAL Giveaway Contest”!
Congratulations - I’ve contacted you through email to claim your winnings. If I don’t hear back within 7 days, another lucky Adventurer will claim the prize!
OK. Who knew that there was an “Armored MMA” league where people wear armor and wield axes full-on in a thunderdome of pain?
. . . and why wouldn’t you tell me?
We all need to take up a collection. RIGHT NOW. For what? This brand-new Dungeons & Dragons pinball machine!
With Gelatinous Cubes, Beholders, Dungeons, Tiamat, and Worf’s (Michael Dorn’s) voice, this puppy will set you back between $7k (Pro) - $10k (Premium) - $13k (Limited Edition). After watching the trailer, I’m sure you’ll agree it’s worth it.
Based on Terry Goodkind’s book, “The Sword of Truth”, I LOVED this show and was superbly ticked off when it was cancelled. It’s available to stream on Prime Video for anyone who wants to recapture the magic or discover it for the 1st time.
That’s another week, Adventurer, and our inaugural 2025 edition. Hope you are inspired to dig out an old fantasy calendar or adopt one into your home you may have never had before. We all deserve some Inspiration and Mystery and Awe throughout the days that make up our years.
We must not allow the clock and the calendar to blind us to the fact that each moment of life is a miracle and mystery.
- H.G. Wells
What was your favorite calendar you ever had? What do you think about the calendars in this edition? Make sure to comment below!
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Timeless Warrior [Verse] Shadows of the past Future dragons clash Warrior’s blade swift Time’s eternal rift [Verse 2] Maidens whisper Call In the castle hall Monsters scream They fall No more in their thrall! [Chorus] Hourglass sands flow Adventures through time Victorious glow Legends in their prime [Bridge] Medieval knights' bold shout Foes break all about Destined hands seize fate Through ancient gates it waits [Verse 3] Battlefields ablaze Through fearful valiant haze Defying evil's gaze Conqueror of days [Chorus] Hourglass sands flow Adventures through time Victorious glow Legends in their prime
I had the TSR’s “Amazing Stories: Tales Bizarre and Fantastic” calendar bought it at Waldenbooks and it was up on my wall still well into the 1990s.
Amazing work in all those calendars ! Thanks for the great read !👍🏼👍🏼