I got mine yesterday, at the same time as the Neville SDCC bust Wetanut (Rumi) got for me!
Incredible book, and it's nice to see some photos of the unreleased stuff they did, and to see what else they wanted to release.
They also explain why they went with the plain black bases:
"The understated, elegant simplicity of the base design was specifically chosen and art directed by Richard Taylor, making the choice to stay away from a highly ornamental or elaborately themed base to evoke a more refined, classical sensibility".
And i think they succeeded and that's why the old SSW statues have a timeless feel to them. It's great that SS are doing such fantastic looking bases, but as i've always said, even through people taking the mick out of me for my belief, the black bases make it feel more like an artistic character study.
Also interesting to read that the original intention was to release all Fellowship members in a way they could all be displayed together, hence the pointing pose of GTG, but the plan changed over time.
Other interesting tidbits - Saruman was the first statue designed to get the license, Liv sat for her sculpture, a Gwaihir statue was originally designed with Gandalf on his back, but was delayed and re-visited for ROTK with the intention of having him rescuing Frodo and Sam from Mount Doom, but the statue had deteriorated. Galadriel was originally designed as the 'dark' version from FOTR, the Galadhrim bust was based on sculptor Jamie Beswarick, and they had sculpted busts of Eowyn (partially) and a Warg, and planned to do many more!
I can think of a few things that I wouldn't mind seeing made.
