First edition. Quarto. Original laminated boards, illustrated by Tolkien.
 
A bright, fine copy, with bright red lettering to the spine.
 
The first edition of Tolkien’s touching books of Christmas letters to his children.
 
Tolkien began writing his children letters from Father Christmas on his return from the First World War. In these letters, he would tell his children tales of the North Pole often replete with illustrations, dusting of snow, Elvish and runic inscriptions and in one letter a goblin alphabet of his own design.
 
This book features an introduction by Baillie Tolkien and transcribes many of the letters than Tolkien sent his children, reproducing their illustrations in colour. It closes with an appendix describing Tolkien’s goblin alphabet.
 
Published in September 1976 in an edition of 50,000 copies.