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tolkiens legendarium - How old did Gandalf appear to be when he came to Middle Earth?


Gandalf (as with all the Istari) did not have a corporeal form before coming to Middle-earth and was essentially ageless. We also know that Gandalf did age, albeit very slowly, while on Middle Earth. By the end of the Third Age (before battling Durin's Bane), he had the appearance of an old human male (non-Númenórean, etc) in his 70's or 80's. This leads me to wonder:


Is there any indication in Tolkien's writings that describes Gandalf's appearance (in human-looking years) when he arrived in Middle Earth? In other words, was Gandalf the Grey originally "Gandalf the Tall Dark & Handsome in his 20's"?


I'm not talking about his actual age, but rather his appearance in human years.



Answer



He appeared elderly


When the Istari (including Gandalf), first came to Middle-Earth, they were in the guise of old Men:



Even as the first shadows were felt in Mirkwood there appeared in the west of Middle-earth the Istari, whom Men called the Wizards. None knew at that time whence they were, save Círdan of the Havens, and only to Elrond and to Galadriel did he reveal that they came over the Sea. But afterwards it was said among the Elves that they were messengers sent by the Lords of the West to contest the power of Sauron, if he should arise again, and to move Elves and Men and all living things of good will to valiant deeds. In the likeness of Men they appeared, old but vigorous, and they changed little with the years, and aged but slowly, though great cares lay on them; great wisdom they had, and many powers of mind and hand. Long they journeyed far and wide among Elves and Men, and held converse also with beasts and with birds....



—The Silmarillion



Given the context, this seems to indicate that they appeared old from their first arrival. This would make sense, since the non-immortal races associated apparent age with wisdom, and would be more likely to heed an aged man than a fresh-faced youth.


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