Gandalf’s Arrival at Bag End

Overview:

This set is based on Bag End during the time period depicted at the very beginning of The Lord of the Rings (both the novel by J.R.R. Tolkien and the film trilogy released from 2001-2003) during which Bilbo is preparing for a party to celebrate his own eleventy-first birthday and Frodo’s “coming of age” as he turns thirty-three. It could also be used to represent Bag End during the time years later in which Frodo is the owner of Bag End and Gandalf arrives to tell him about the information he has discovered regarding the magic ring which Frodo has inherited from Bilbo. The set is comprised of 2027 pieces.

Description of build:

The set contains a section of Bilbo’s (and later Frodo’s) home, which includes the iconic round green door, round windows and the section of garden surrounding it, as well as the patio leading to the aforementioned door. It also has a path and accompanying stone wall which runs in front of Bag End, and a fence with a gate marking the borders of the garden. Next to the fence there is a letterbox, and on the patio in the garden there is a bench. Gandalf’s cart, which he uses to take his fireworks with him to Bag End, is also included in the set.

The interior of Bag End consists of three rooms. First, a hallway with a rug, a barrel and a chest of drawers with a candle and letters on top. To one side of this is a dining/living area with shelves, a table, a chair, a fireplace and some cutlery. On the other side is Bilbo’s study, containing stacks of books, a chair and a desk which Bilbo uses to write about his journey to Erebor and back.

Minifigures, accessories and other items:

The set would include figures of Gandalf the Grey and Frodo Baggins (which are included in the images above) as well as Sam Gamgee and an elderly Bilbo Baggins. The figures of the hobbits could have the lower portion of their legs moulded in the same colour plastic as their heads and hands to represent how they are barefoot.

A gold 1x1 round plate with a hollow stud is used to represent Sauron’s ring (though this could be represented with the ring piece used in other Lego sets) and Bilbo’s (later Frodo’s) elven blade, Sting, is hung above the fireplace - as described in the Prologue of the novel written by J.R.R. Tolkien. The set also includes Bilbo’s account of his adventures, “There and back again” which would later become the first part of the Red Book of Westmarch (this book could be moulded in dark red plastic and the front cover printed to more accurately represent its movie counterpart). Some gardening implements in the form of hedge clippers and a spade are contained in a barrel inside Bag End for Sam’s use.

In Gandalf’s cart there is space for: a book, which Frodo is reading before Gandalf arrives; A letter; Gandalf’s staff; a carrot and a set of fireworks - the contents of the cart are kept largely the same as they were in the set 9469 - “Gandalf Arrives” to pay homage to that set.  There are many stacks of books and letters scattered around Bag End and various different pots and jars occupy spaces on the mantelpiece and a stack of shelves. Teacups, a teapot and a plate of cheese can be found on the table, and the desk in the study holds a flowerpot and inkwell.

Features:

The roof of the build can be taken off in order to allow for greater access to the interior, the door of the Hobbit hole can be opened and closed, and a light brick which lights up the fireplace can be turned on by flicking a red lever on the side of the build. Additionally, the horse leading Gandalf’s cart is able to turn independently from the cart which it leads, meaning the cart can turn fairly easily.

The set could also include a separate gate piece with a different print or sticker which includes the sign “no admittance except on party business”. When you are building the set, you could then choose which gate to put in depending on how you want the model to look.

Why this could make for a good Lego set:

I think that Bag End is the most iconic location out of any of the places in The Lord of the Rings and would make for a great display piece in Lego. I have also tried to use some interesting building techniques which should make the building process more enjoyable, such as the floor of Bag End, which is actually comprised of a wall of bricks placed onto its side.

This set would be a great opportunity for people who were fans of the previous Lego sets from this theme to get newer renditions of some of their favourite characters and one of their favourite locations. It could also be appealing for people who do not own any of those sets but have an interest in The Lord of the Rings. The set could even introduce people who are unfamiliar with Tolkien’s work to the world of Middle Earth due to the pleasant and welcoming nature of the location this set is centred around.

Hopefully, if this project is very successful and the resulting set sells well, The Lego Group might consider reintroducing themes based on The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.