THE ‘biggest Tolkien exhibition in a generation’ opened at Oxford’s Bodleian Library yesterday.

‘Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth’ will run until October 28 at the Weston Library in Broad Street and features more than 200 items - a third of which have never been seen.

Visitors will be treated to a series of largely unknown gems, such as the fact ‘Treebeard’ was originally set to be an evil character before Tolkien changed his mind, and a report on the future Oxford University Professor from Exeter College, calling him a 'very lazy' student.

The Oxford University library is presenting artefacts on the Lord of the Rings author from its extensive Tolkien Archive and Marquette University’s Tolkien Collection.

There are a number of unseen pieces of fan mail, private letters, rare objects, family heirlooms, maps and drawings in the St Lee Gallery.

Displays on the Oxford professor’s student days, his study - featuring pipes and his chair - and an interactive display on the Elvish language are also on offer at the free exhibition.

But the star attractions are parts of manuscripts of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings books.

Chris Fletcher, Keeper of Special Collections at the Bodleian, said: “What is amazing is that this is a unique opportunity to see all aspects of his life brought together for the first time in one space to show the range of his activities, as a student, a soldier, an author [and more].

“We have manuscript of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. I thinks it’s the first time that has been borrowed from the USA.

“It gives you an intimate sense of the man himself - the private life and professional. I also find the fan mail really fascinating.”

Catherine McIlwaine, Tolkien Archivist for the Bodleian, added: “We hold a huge Tolkien archive - [but] have been missing these manuscripts and want them, with other artefacts, to give a complete view of Tolkien.

Mrs McIlwaine, who has studied the life of the artist, poet, linguist and author for years and recently wrote a book with the same title as the exhibition, travelled to the USA to obtain parts of the manuscript.

She continued: “I just think there will be something for everyone here, whether you are a super fan or someone who has never read a word.

“Come along to find out more about the man - there is so much unseen material.”

Tickets for the exhibition are available at tolkien.bodleian.ox.ac.uk. There is a £1 booking fee.