J.R.R. Tolkien – The Father Christmas Letters – First Edition 1976 – SIGNED by Tolkien Children

First edition, first printing of ‘The Father Christmas Letters’, by J R R Tolkien. Published by George Allen and Unwin, London, in 1976. This is a near fine copy. The paper covered pictorial boards are bright and clean but suffer from some very slight bumping at the corners. Spine not faded. The internals are bright, clean and free from previous owners inscriptions. Inscribed by Tolkien’s oldest son John (to a Kathleen Restall) and dated 1976. Below this, his sister and Tolkien’s daughter, Priscilla Tolkien has signed her name. Overall, this is a near fine copy and a unique copy signed by two of the Tolkien children for whom the book was intended.

The Father Christmas Letters by J.R.R. Tolkien is a delightful collection of letters written and illustrated by the famed author for his children: John, Michael, Christopher, and Priscilla. Between 1920 and 1943, Tolkien assumed the persona of Father Christmas, sending yearly letters to his children filled with charming tales of life at the North Pole. These letters describe whimsical adventures involving Father Christmas, his clumsy assistant Polar Bear, and other fantastical characters like the mischievous goblins. The stories combine humour, warmth, and adventure, creating a magical world that reflects Tolkien’s storytelling genius.

The letters also include beautifully detailed illustrations and playful handwriting, making them a treasure trove of creativity. They capture the joy of childhood and the love Tolkien had for his children, blending his familial devotion with the rich imagination that later shaped The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.