Christmas drawings from J.R.R. Tolkein as "Father Christmas"

This Fall at an antique market in Chicago I found a remarkable little book. It collects letters and drawings from J.R.R. Tolkein, sent to his children, as 'Father Christmas'. They're kind of amazing. Some of his other work is arguably a bit humorless, but these are all whimsy and slapstick... and also gorgeously colored. A rigorously serious creative mind at play. And of course they involve invented languages. A lot of Father Christmas' stories involve a friendship with a hapless polar bear, and skirmishes with (of course) local goblins, both pictured here. Merry Christmas and happy Winter holidays, everyone.

Anders Nilsen