Collector Profile: Henk Brassien (The Netherlands, 1948), Hobbit Hunter

I was born in a little village called Den Hulst, above the butchery of my grandfather’s. Maybe there my Bourgundian way of life started?

I went to school, to university (for not too long), found a job, got married, got two sons, got divorced (my ex and I still like each other in a way, go on holiday together etc.) and now live in the city of Zwolle, in the eastern part of The Netherlands. In an apartment that is growing a little too small because of all of my books.
But, to move is still one step too far (although I will have to, some day. Because of Tolkien! I already am looking around). In my daily job in Human Resources I help colleagues - that lost their jobs because of internal reorganisations  - to find another job.

My ultimate wish? A small bookshop with lots of books on and by Tolkien. And a large table where you can drink a Belgian beer while deciding to buy that book or not.

How did you get started in collecting?

In 1960 my schoolmaster in the fifth form of a primary school (I was 11 years old then) was Mr. Van Dijk. He used to read books every last hour Friday afternoon. He was reading De Hobbit. It struck me like lightning and I wanted the book for myself. Saved my pocket money for five weeks (Hfl 1,25, about EUR 0,60, yes!!) and went to the local bookshop. Mr B.H. Kok said that he did not sell that book to children. I was completely knocked-down and left the shop. A trauma! At that time I was not keen enough to tell him that Tolkien wrote the book for his children.

It took me until 1975 to get a first Tolkien book of my own. I wanted revenge, I started to collect.

What do you collect?

I collect books by and on Tolkien. But, as it is impossible (and too expensive, too) to collect everything, I specialized in collecting The Hobbit. The Dutch imprints (I now have 60 out of 66 imprints) and at least one copy of any language in which The Hobbit was  published. As far as I know there are 45 translations of The Hobbit.
The missing ones? Armenian, Braille, Moldavian and Ukrainian.

If anyone of you has a missing Hobbit: mail me at hobbits@planet.nl, please.

How big is your collection?

My collection is more than 825 items at this moment (October, 28, 2006) and still growing – thanks to the internet. Almost all the items are books. I have more than 200 Hobbits in 40 languages. As I said, there are 60 Dutch Hobbits, but also 14 German Hobbits, 71 English, 12 French, 8 Russian, 6 Spanish, etc. Plus some Tolkien-inspired music (LP’s and CD’s), board games (that I never play), folders, calendars, History of Middle-Earth, books on Tolkien, etc.

What has been your greatest find so far?

Hard to say. Many finds are precious to me. Because they are scarce or just beautiful. You want some examples? Well, there is of course the first Hobbit I ever had (1975), the first imprint of the Dutch LotR (1956 – 1957, alas without dust jacks).

Tell us about your Web site.

I have no website of my own (so far). Had an idea to make a website “Hobbits all over the world”, but then I found out it already existed at www.tolkienlibrary.com.  And, if you can’t beat them, join them. So I sent my Hobbit scans to Pieter Collier.

What does collecting mean to you?

Collecting is a way of life. Freud said once, that collecting is because of lack of mother’s love in your youth (but, he has been wrong before).
Collecting is trying to get something complete. But at the same time: nothing is worse than a collection that is complete. It is the end of the hunt.
Collecting also is meeting people (thanks to the internet), helping each other to get that one missing book etc.
Collecting also is asking friends that go to a country with a Hobbit that I do not have: “Get me a …. Hobbit”. And you know what? They had the time of their lifes, met all kinds of nice people etc. I think I will start a Travel Company called The Hobbit Hunter someday.
Collecting is the ultimate joy of finding THAT item.
Is it an illness? Yes, it is. Do you have to be treated? No, no one can really help you.

And in the end, when I am dead and gone, my sons will be asking themselves: “What should we do with all these books?”

If ever I could ever be someone else, I would like to be a Hobbit. And have a nice and peaceful life, give and get presents, have a good meal, smoke a pipe (alas, no smoking, doctors orders!) and live long and prosperous.