Tolkien's Christmas Art - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Bêthberry · 12-24-2005, 12:41 PM

I know we have several threads discussing Tolkien's art--especially Estelyn's wonderful thread, Tolkien the Artist --but I thought given the season it might be interesting to see some examples of Tolkien's Father Christmas drawings.

He wrote these to accompany the Father Christmas letters he wrote his children, every year. He even drew the stamps on the envelopes. What I enjoy in particular is the whimsy and humour of the drawings. So often I think we take the tone of LotR to reflect the actual tenor of the man's mind.

Anyhow, here goes.

Bêthberry · 12-24-2005, 12:42 PM

Bêthberry · 12-24-2005, 12:43 PM

Amanaduial the archer · 12-27-2005, 09:32 AM

I have never seen these before...Those were beautiful, thank you, Bethberry

And the last one is so cute!

Child of the 7th Age · 01-05-2006, 04:45 PM

A bit late, I know! But these pictures are lovely. And here is one more to add to the thread: click here

Thanks, Bêthberry.

Bêthberry · 01-05-2006, 08:15 PM

Oh, a more wonderful link! Thank you, Child. My source was an Oxford link, but there are more pictures in your link than I have ever seen.

I like the tree stuck in the frozen pond and especially enjoy the final Father Christmas picture there. The earth seen against the solar system! Wonderful!

Hilde Bracegirdle · 01-07-2006, 07:28 AM

Some more selections (I hope the links work.)

Pen and ink

You'll have to click on the individual pictures here

It is amazing how Tolkien excelled in so many different styles of artwork. These illustrations have always been favorites of mine, with their decorative style and bright colors.

I also get a kick out of the story about the north pole breaking, with Tolkien so careful to show the spot where it was mended in his subsequent letters.

Guinevere · 01-12-2006, 02:22 PM

I found this thread only just now - but I have just bought "Lettes from Father Christmas" two weeks before Christmas (a gift to myself

) and am delighted not only by the pictures but by the lovingly decorated letters, written in such beautiful (even if purposely wobbly) writing, and amused by the comments of North Polar Bear and Ilbereth the Elf (interesting name!!)
It must have been wonderful for the children to get these letters. I wonder how long they really believed in F.C ?
For any who haven't seen it, I try to attach a scanned facsimile of one of the letters

edit: it didn't work, the file was too large

12-24-2005, 12:41 PM	#1
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,170	Tolkien's Christmas Art I know we have several threads discussing Tolkien's art--especially Estelyn's wonderful thread, Tolkien the Artist --but I thought given the season it might be interesting to see some examples of Tolkien's Father Christmas drawings. He wrote these to accompany the Father Christmas letters he wrote his children, every year. He even drew the stamps on the envelopes. What I enjoy in particular is the whimsy and humour of the drawings. So often I think we take the tone of LotR to reflect the actual tenor of the man's mind. Anyhow, here goes. __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

12-24-2005, 12:42 PM	#2
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,170	Father Christmas stamps __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

12-24-2005, 12:43 PM	#3
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,170	Father Christmas polar bear __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

12-27-2005, 09:32 AM	#4
Amanaduial the archer Shadow of Starlight Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: dancing among the ledgerlines... Posts: 2,397	I have never seen these before...Those were beautiful, thank you, Bethberry And the last one is so cute! __________________ I am what I was, a harmless little devil

01-05-2006, 04:45 PM	#5
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,135	A bit late, I know! But these pictures are lovely. And here is one more to add to the thread: click here Thanks, Bêthberry. __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote.

01-05-2006, 08:15 PM	#6
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,170	Oh, a more wonderful link! Thank you, Child. My source was an Oxford link, but there are more pictures in your link than I have ever seen. I like the tree stuck in the frozen pond and especially enjoy the final Father Christmas picture there. The earth seen against the solar system! Wonderful! __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

01-07-2006, 07:28 AM	#7
Hilde Bracegirdle Relic of Wandering Days Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: You'll See Perpetual Change. Posts: 1,488	Some more selections (I hope the links work.) Pen and ink You'll have to click on the individual pictures here It is amazing how Tolkien excelled in so many different styles of artwork. These illustrations have always been favorites of mine, with their decorative style and bright colors. I also get a kick out of the story about the north pole breaking, with Tolkien so careful to show the spot where it was mended in his subsequent letters.

01-12-2006, 02:22 PM	#8
Guinevere Banshee of Camelot Join Date: May 2002 Location: Switzerland Posts: 5,833	I found this thread only just now - but I have just bought "Lettes from Father Christmas" two weeks before Christmas (a gift to myself ) and am delighted not only by the pictures but by the lovingly decorated letters, written in such beautiful (even if purposely wobbly) writing, and amused by the comments of North Polar Bear and Ilbereth the Elf (interesting name!!) It must have been wonderful for the children to get these letters. I wonder how long they really believed in F.C ? For any who haven't seen it, I try to attach a scanned facsimile of one of the letters edit: it didn't work, the file was too large __________________ Yes! "wish-fulfilment dreams" we spin to cheat our timid hearts, and ugly Fact defeat! Last edited by Guinevere; 01-12-2006 at 02:30 PM. Reason: the link didn't work