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Father Christmas Letters transcript changes v3
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All page numbers refer to the HarperCollins 2019 Deluxe Letters from Father Christmas.

It is 100% understood that editorial decisions are being made, and the following list is not intended to try and steer the editorial process. The below is just a (pedantic) capture of all (?) differences between the transcribed text and the original letters as written by Tolkien that I have noted.  It all depends on what HarperCollins feels would be “definitive” for the text, as reproduced in the transcriptions. My personal (and only personal) leaning would be for the transcriptions to not correct anything from Tolkien’s letters - the charm of mis-spellings by Polar Bear, and shorthand notations often used, is of more interest to me than having “corrected” text for modern readers. I am sure the family has input on removing personal details, but I am hopeful that with all of it legible in the reproduced letters, there is no harm in transcribing them either.

My comments on any particular items are [in square brackets and italics].

One editorial decision I have not captured (as there are so many) is where initials are expanded into full names (eg letter says NPB and transcription says “North Polar Bear”. There are a rare few instances where this is not done in the transcriptions, though, and the initials are used.

Polar Bear atrocious spelling: I have marked PB’s misspellings that were corrected in the transcriptions, as the editorial decision seems (rightly to me) to maintain his misspellings as part of his charm.

Tolkien loved using underlines to emphasize words, and in my opinion it reads better out loud when it is there. I marked all of these that seemed intentional.

Tolkien somewhat persistently liked putting the apostrophe before the “nt” in most words in the early letters, and stopped in the later letters. I marked the ones I noticed, but don’t really think they need to be transcribed. I just thought they were an interesting thing to note.

I have persisted here in using bold for transcriptions for Polar Bear and italics for Ilbereth.

Some of the major edits that I am hopeful can be applied in the next edition are marked with *.  

I have numbered all of the differences in the table below, to hopefully make them easier to keep track of, but otherwise this “ID” can be safely ignored. As this document gets updated and occasional new lines are added, I do not change the numbering scheme but instead insert them with letters (such as #6a appearing between #6 and #7).

Version 3 changes from v2 are marked in red.

ID

Page

Current Transcription

Original Letter/Envelope Says

0*

foldout

[some stamp images are very pixellated]

[higher resolution scans possible?]

*1

6, 7

[not transcribed]

[Tolkien’s handwritten note - I would love for this to be transcribed as well!]

2

13

Christmas House,
North Pole

Christmas House
NORTH POLE

3

13

[not transcribed]

Love to daddy, mummy, michael & auntie [&?] mary

*4

13

I have drawn me and my house for you.

I have drawn ME and My House for you.

[Tolkien used the same capitalization in his letter and as the titles in the artwork, so it seems he is naming the art pieces here, not just their contents.]

5

13

The snow is very thick at the North Pole tonight.

The snow is very thick at the NORTH POLE tonight.

6

19

Dear Michael Hilary
[letter body]
with love from

Father Christmas

Michael Hilary

with love from

Father Christmas

[letter body]

*6a

19

[Envelope verso not reproduced]

Envelope verso with commercial Father Christmas seal [reproduced in 1999 edition on half title page.

Also reproduced on the rear cover of the 1995 edition with the removable letters, but in this case, there is clearly an archival file mark on the right side of the envelope verso. Out of curiosity - is the mark on the envelope itself and was photoshopped out of the 1999 edition? ]

7

20

Doesn’t

Does’nt

7a

22

Dear John
[letter body]

with love from

Father Christmas

John Francis
with love

from

Father Christmas

[letter body]

8

25

Father Christmas went off in a great hurry

Father Christmas went off in great hurry

9

25

wouldn’t

would’nt

10

25

 Do you like my writing:

Do you like my writing?

10a

27

Cliff House,
Top of the World,
Near the North Pole

Cliff House
Top of the world
Near the North Pole

[Capitalization of “world” and commas differ.

General note - the transcriptions are not consistent for these addresses each year - sometimes the editor adds commas, sometimes the exact format from Tolkien is transcribed. I tried to catch all to make them consistently match the original letters.]

11

27

haven’t

have’nt

12

32

Cliff House,
Top of the World,
Near the North Pole

Cliff House
Top of the World
Near the NORTH POLE

13

32

it was a sleighload of chocolate things, which

it was a sleighload of chocolate things - which

14

36

he must never, never touch it.

he must never never touch it.

[comma removed]

15

36

packing I do for him...

packing I do for him.

16

36

just with his finger...

just with his finger.

17

36

Since we moved.

Anyway, he was

Since we moved - anyway, he was

18

38

and putting a bit of his own about me

and putting a bit of his own in the middle about me

18a

39

Cliff House,
Top o’the World,

near the North Pole

Cliff House
Top o’the World

near the North Pole

19

39

My dear people: there seem to get

My dear people: John, Michael, Christopher, also Aslang [sp?], also Mummy, also Auntie Jennie - also daddy, there seem to get

20

41

the North Polar Bear has spent most of the time asleep and

the North Polar Bear (you know who I mean?) has spent most of the time asleep and

21

41

Everybody does sleep most of the time here in winter

Of course you know! and everybody does sleep most of the time here in winter

22

41

when the North Polar Bear put his nose against it - it took the skin off: now it is bandaged with red flannel. Why did he?

when the North Polar Bear put his nose against it - took the skin off: that is why it is bandaged with red flannel in the picture (but the bandage has slipped). Why did he?

23

41

where it oughtn’t to be

Where it ought’nt to be

24

42

(and distant friend) the Great Bear

(and distant friend) the GREAT BEAR

25

42

but it doesn't work as well.

but it doesn't work as well - you can see that by my picture.

26

43

[not transcribed]

These are blots which Father Christmas could not rub out!!

27

44

 The Man in the Moon paid me a visit the other day - a fortnight ago exactly - he often does

The MAN in the MOON paid me a visit the other day - a fortnight ago exactly December 7th - he often does

28

44

he is so fond

he is so fond

29

44

and the wicked bear

and the wicked bear

30

44

[envelope verso not transcribed]

[On the black envelope] Very Sorry - am sending this off tonight - (Friday). Polar B. forgot to post it. It must go by special Reindeer which needs Special Stamp.

F.C.

Should get to you on Xmas morning...

31

45

and said the moon was going out!

and said 'the moon was going out!'

*32

45

The Polar Bear only laughs when I tell him it’s his fault, and he curls up on my hearthrug and won't do anything but snore.

The Polar Bear only laughs when I tell him it’s his fault, and he curls up on my hearthrug and won't do anything but snore.

This is Father Christmas's hearthrug and I am not on it NPB

33

46

a volcano or a geyser

A volcano or a geysir

[sic - I think just a mistake that could be silently corrected as currently done in the transcription]

34

46

 I have written you a very long letter this year as there was nothing to draw

I have written you a very long letter this year to make up for the dark card - there was nothing to draw

35

46

and happiness next year.

and happiness NEXT Year.

36

47

Top o’ the World,
North Pole

“Top o’ the World”
NORTH POLE

*37

47

[not transcribed]

[On envelope] DEAR CH. NOT MY FAULT FR CHRISTMAS FORGOT TO SEND THIS - AND HE COULD NOT FIND ANY STAMPS

38

49

Who’d left the soap on the stairs? Not me!

Who’d left the soap on the stares [sic]? Not me!

[An example where editorial consistency is not maintained - some of PBs mistakes are fixed and most are not - due to their charm and directly relating to the “plot”]

39

49

Crash! Awful moanings and growlings.

I ran out on to

Crash! awful moanings and growlings: I ran out on to

[Tolkien doesn’t capitalize “awful” as the exclamation mark is not ending the sentence - also the colon vs period.]

40

49

on to his nose leaving a trail of balls, bundles, parcels and things

onto his nose leaving a trail of balls bundles parcels and things

41

49

Of course, naturally.

Of course, naturaly. [sic]

42

50

Yes I can. I drew the flag at the end.

Yes I can I drew flag at end.

43

50

ran out of doors and wouldn’t

ran out of doors and would’nt [sic]

44

50

that is why the moon smiled: but the part

that is why the moon smiled: as you can see, but the part

45

50

you would like a picture of the inside of my new big house

you would like a picture of the INSIDE of my new big house

46

50

The chief hall is under the largest dome

This is the chief hall under the largest dome

47

50

Not my fault. Father Christmas did the banisters.

Not my fault Father Christmas did banisters

48

53

- and what a result!!

- and look at the result!!

49

53

(he can’t spell very well), and fearful bright colour

(he can’t spell very well),

Rot.

...and fearful bright colour

50

53

Well, my dears, I hope you

Well my dears I hope you

51

53

little things you didn't

little things you did'nt [sic]

52

55

We found it on the hall table - today.

We found it on the hall table today.

[the e in table just has a long line like many others, it is not a hyphen I believe]

53

55

Very windy here. It blew

Very windy here: It blew

[colon, for period]

53a

58

I like letters and think Cristofers are nice

I like letters and think Cristofers ar [sic] nice

54

59

Top of the World,
North Pole
Xmas 1929

“Top of the World”
North Pole
Christmas 1929

[for consistency should Xmas be expanded?]

55

61

and came back with paw all bandaged

and came back with his paw all bandaged

56

63

But I am rather worried this year. In my office and packing-room, the Polar Bear reads out names

But I am rather worried this year. You can guess from my pictures what happened. The first one shows you my office and packing-room, and the Polar Bear reading out names

[Tolkien Collector #31, p. 29 has ‘packing room’ but it seems clear to me a hyphen is in the manuscript]

57

63

You can guess the result - the North Polar Bear was buried

Look at the result - only actually the North Polar Bear was buried

*58

64,65

[letter images on page 64 and 65 are transposed]

59

66

I am writing in chalk and pencil.

I am writing in chalks and pencil.

60

66

I have some black ink left, and the Polar Bear

I have some black ink left (but I know you like colours,) and the Polar Bear

61

66

I am sending him a fountain pen and also

I am sending him a FOUNTAIN PEN and also

62

66

It shows me crossing the sea on the upper North wind, while a South West gale

It shows me crossing the sea on the upper NORTH wind, while a SOUTH WEST gale

63

69

Let me know more about what you specially want.

Polar Bear sends love.

Let me know more about what you specially want also (if you can find out) what anyone else like P or Mummy or Auntie (I mean Miss) Grove wants.

Polar Bear sends love.

64

69

He has had Whooping Cough!!

He has had whooping cough!! 

[I don’t believe it is meant to be capitalized, though the C does somewhat look so.  It is clearly not capitalized in the letter next month, on p. 71 line 6 but then it is capitalized on line 15]

64a

70

Top of the World,
North Pole

Top of the World.
North Pole

[period for comma - I know, I know. Also the manuscript has “N.P.” but typically that is expanded.]

65

70

to send you a full long letter like I mean to.

to send you a full long letter like I meant to.

65a

73

His chest had not got well from whooping cough

His chest had not got well from Wh. Cough

[Here the capitalization is emphasized with green ink even.]

66

73

Everything has gone wrong

Everything has got wrong

67

73

not of course men made of snow

not of course men made of snow

68

73

draws a picture of a made Snowman

draws a picture of a made snow-man

69

73

I've drawn you pictures of everything that happened - Polar Bear telling a story

 The top picture shows Polar Bear telling a story

70

73

after all the tea things had been cleared away;

after all the things had been cleared away.

71

73

me finding Polar Bear in the snow

The little pictures show me finding Polar Bear in the snow

72

75

and my father, old Grandfather Yule

and my father old Grandfather Yule

72a

80

Cliff House,
North Pole

Cliff House.
North Pole.

73

80

[not transcribed]

[On envelope] I AM SORRY I FORGOT TO POST THIS. LOVE KARHU

URGENT.

By flying messenger please. N.C. [for Nicholas Christmas]

74

81

The North Polar Bear, if you know who I mean has been lazy and sleepy as a result

The North Polar Bear, if you know who I mean

Silly

has been lazy and sleepy as a result

75

82

to show the kinds of colours)

to show the kinds and colours)

76

85

he took two Snowboys (who aren’t

he took two Snow-boys (who are’nt [sic]

[and the hyphen in Snow-boys]

77

85

The Snowboys roared with laughter

The Snow-boys roared with laughter

78

85

They said it was a splendid sight - but they won’t

They said it was a splendid sight, but they won’t

79

86

They cannot compare with my own reindeer

They cannot compare with my own reindeer

79a

90

Cliff House,
North Pole.

Cliff House
North Pole.

*79b

92

[Envelope reproduced - to “John Michael & Christopher & Michael”]

[This envelope belongs on p. 94, in my opinion, to match up with the Dec 23rd letter on p. 95. Reasoning: this envelope is addressed to John et al as is the Dec letter, whereas the Nov letter says “Love to MC&P. Please send John my love when you write him” and the other envelope is addressed to “M C & P Tolkien” to match.]

*79c

94

[Envelope reproduced - to “M C & P Tolkien”]

[This envelope belongs on p. 92, in my opinion, with the Nov 30 letter - see 79b above for reasoning]

80

94

old Mr Cave Bear himself

old Mr Cave-Brown-Cave himself

81

94

belonging to Mr Cave Bear

belonging to Mr Cave-Brown-Cave

82

96

for of course goblins can’t hurt him

for of course goblins can’t hurt him

83

96

Cave Bear [multiple]

Cave-Brown-Cave

84

99

Cave Bear [multiple]

Cave-Brown-Cave

85

99

[not transcribed]

PB jogged my arm and smudged

[margin note in red ink]

86

99

Then Men came along

Then Men came along

87

100

there are dragons

there are dragons

88

100

could draw better than you, Daddy Noel; and wouldn’t

could draw better than you, daddy Noel; and would’nt [sic]

[also daddy not capitalized]

89

103

The goblin pictures must be very old

At the bottom of the page you will see a whole row of goblin pictures - they must be very old

90

103

are sitting on drasils:

are sitting on drasils:

91

103

Edward the Fourth's time.

Edward the Fourth's time. You will see some more on the pillar in my picture of the Caves.

92

103

The animal drawings are magnificent. The hairy rhinoceros looks wicked. There is also

Doesn't the hairy rhinoceros look wicked? There is also

*93

103

Also the ox, stag, bear and cave-bear

You will also see an ox, a stag, a boar and cave-bear

[the boar/bear transcription error has returned - it should read “boar” as in the 2012 edition]

*94

103

Cave Bear [multiple]

Cave-Brown-Cave

[In the first edition text from 1976, all references to this bear are silently corrected in the transcriptions  to “Cave Bear”, and this persists through all subsequent editions.  As no letter facsimiles were reproduced in the 1976 edition, it was not obvious at the time.  Was this an intentional change based on family input? The letters themselves do not ever refer to Cave Bear, only Cave-Brown-Cave, across many years and a very large number of occurrences.]

95

103

a portrait of one of his ancestors!

a portrait of one of his ancestors!

96

103

Just under the bears is the best a goblin can do

Just under the bears you can see what is the best a goblin can do

97

103

I am coming from the north, and note

I am coming from the north, you see - and note

98

104

Cave Bear [multiple]

Cave-Brown-Cave

99

104

The last picture hasn't happened yet.

The last picture is also imaginary, that is it has’nt [sic] happened yet.

100

104

(they are exactly like live teddy-bears), Snowbabies

(they are exactly like live teddy-bears), snow-babies

101

104

I'm wearing a pair of new green trousers.

Don't you like my new green trousers?

102

104

Nearly everything had disappeared out of

Nearly everything had disappeared out of

103

106

They love mechanical toys

They love mechanical toys

104

106

Cave Bear

Cave-Brown-Cave

105

107

Cave Bear

Cave-Brown-Cave

106

108

food and clothes (useful stuff)

food and clothes (useful stuff)

107

108

It is not warm here.

It is not warm here.

108

108

The Polar Bear got your father's scribble to-day, and was very puzzled by it. I told him

The Polar Bear got your father's scribble to-day, and was very puzzled by it. He thought the written side was meant for him. I told him

109

108

The drawings pleased him better.

The other side pleased him better.

110

108

tried to draw bears

tried to draw bears

111

108

He says it is much nicer

He says it is much nicer

112

111

I am not so sure. (Anyway

I am not so sure. But Polar Bear says that nearly all of it is in my letter between the two red stars. (Anyway

113

111

I dare say John will feel

I daresay John will feel

114

115

Cliff House, near the North Pole

Cliff House
near the North Pole.

115

115

your old great-great-etc. grandfather

your old great-great-great-etc. grandfather

116

116

Goblins. The worst attack we have had for centuries.

My pictures tell you part of the story. Goblins. The worst attack we have had for centuries.

117

116

and that meant there were bat-riding goblins about

and that meant there bat-riding goblins about

[transcription with fix is probably preferred, but this is what is actually written]

118

121

busy helping, and double-help

busy helping double-help

119

124

and letter and Priscilla's were found

and letter and Prisilla's [sic] (does she really spell it that way?) were found

[I found this hint that Christopher misspelled his sister’s name in his letter to FC quite endearing]

120

124

[not transcribed]

[On envelope] For CRT. Many Happy Returns of the Day

And from me P.B.

We are busy already. Love to Priscilla. Sorry she has been poorly. FC. Nov. 20 1934

120a

127

Cliff House,
North Pole

Cliff House.
NORTH POLE.

121

127

to write you so long a letter as

to write you as long a letter as

[this handwriting is hard to judge]

122

129

Very little news:

I have not got any Thornton Burgesses left, but I am sending a book you have not had, but have heard of: "Deerslayer" with some nice pictures. I am also sending a baby Bingo - "Bingolet" - which I hope you will like. Polar Bear says : "Why not all white?" he seems to think any bear is dirty if it is not white all over.

Very little news:

122a

131

with old Cave Brown Cave

with old Cave Brown Cave

[no change! This transcript matches what Tolkien wrote rather than correcting it to “Cave Bear”.  If the decision is to rename the bear “Cave Bear”, this should be changed.

Of note, this single occurrence in the 1934 letter clearly does not have the two hyphens that Tolkien consistently used in Cave-Brown-Cave’s name in the 1932 letter when not abbreviated. For consistency perhaps this should be fixed to have hyphens if the name change is reverted.]

123

131

- out of doors. I shall ask 100 elves

- out of doors.  I shall ask 100 elves

124

131

Polar Bear and Cave Bear

Polar Bear and Cave Brown Cave

[The manuscript has CBC here. Hyphenation is not assumed, based on 122a comment above, but the two should match.]

125

131

yesterday evening to see if they were all right. If you

yesterday evening to see if they were all right - See picture. If you

126

133

Behind the tree are snowplants

The tree-ish things behind, are snowplants

127

133

There is also a special edging to the ice-pool

The coloured things in front is a special edging to the ice-pool

[Tolkien Collector #31 p. 33 says “in front are a” but I think the manuscript is pretty clear the word is “is” not “are”. It also appears that “things” had the “s” added later which might explain the grammatical difference.]

128

133

enormous ones. I had to come to the rescue.

enormous ones - hold it up to the light and you will see where. I had to come to the rescue.

129

134

Polar bear sends love.

Polar Bear sends love.

129a

135

[Envelope to Priscilla mostly obscured]

[If blank, can ignore - if addressed, can it be shown?]

*130

136

PB, if you know who that is, could not get home.

PB, if you know who that is,

Silly.

could not get home.

[I really like this joke, personally, and would love to see it make it into the next edition. This is the first letter that is to Priscilla and mentions PB - she would be four and a half at this time and her first introduction to PB.

Joke continues below in #133, #134, and #138

Also this is an instance where preserving “PB” as written makes sense, rather than transcribing as “Polar Bear”]

131

136

We had to make a tunnel to the front door.

You can see the tunnel we had to make to the front door.

132

136

and there is steam where the snow is melting

but you can see steam where the snow is melting

*133

137

Poor old PB, if you know who I mean, had to go away soon after the snow began last month.

Poor old PB, if you know who I mean,

Silly again.

had to go away soon after the snow began last month.

*134

140

PB, if you remember him, did not get back

PB, if you remember him,

Silly again.

did not get back

135

140

until Friday December 13th

until Friday December the 13th

136

140

seen the last of the goblins

seen the last of the goblins

137

140

It is now December 24th and they have not

It is now December 24 and they have not

*138

140

Polar Bear (in case you don’t know what PB is) sends love to you

Polar Bear (in case you don’t know what PB is)

Stupid joke.

sends love to you

139

148

by Saturday (December 19th)

by Saturday last (Dec 19)

140

148

you can guess what happened

you can see what happened

141

148

Father Christmas was really angry.

Father Christmas was really angry.

142

149

[not transcribed]

You will find two snapshots in this letter. Give them back to your Mother. I hoped she has not missed them. One of my elves borrowed them. You will find out what for. Yrs F.C.

143

[deleted as erroneous duplicate]

*144

149

[CHIM / NEY / POST Envelope reproduction]

[Does not belong here - also reproduced on page 94 - it currently appears twice in the 2019 edition]

*144a

152

[partially obscured reproduction of Nov 2nd envelope]

[possible to show the entire envelope for completeness?]

144b

154

Cliff House,
North Pole

Cliff House
North Pole

145

154

other old friends in Oxford

other old friends at 20 Northmoor Road, Oxford

146

157

You see I strained my hand moving heavy boxes in the cellars in November

You see I strained my hand moving heavy boxes in the 'sellers' (ha ha Chris: you see I have read your letter) in November

147

158

drawing is a bit scratchy, I think. He won't use paints

drawing is a bit scratchy, I think. He has done you what he calls a picture diary. I hope it will do. He won't use paints

148

158

I am sending away loads

I am sending away loads

149

158

Oxford Fairy Story

Oxford fairy-story

150

158

Polar Bear, as usual, was late

Polar Bear, as usual, was late

151

158

and actually had rain.

and actually had rain.

152

160

- you are in it. North Polar Bear

- you are in it, that is why your numbers are on the board. North Polar Bear

153

162

You are not a decoration

You are not a decoration

154

162

The silly old thing had rested the ladder

The silly old thing

Neither.

had rested the ladder

155

162

Polar Bear fell into the tree

Polar Bear fell into the tree

*156

163

and you would never read it.
A very merry Christmas to you all

and you would never read it: it says “A very merry Christmas to you all”

[I think this small correction, making it clear that the Tengwar actually says this quote, is important.  I confirmed with Carl Hostetter the translation from tengwar is correct.]

157

163

[runes are missing]

[Polar Bear Runes] That is Runick.

158

163

with lovely thick pen

with lovely thick pen

158a

164

Cliff House,
North Pole

Cliff House.
North Pole

159

167

has no rhyme to Father Christmas

has no rhyme to Father Christmas

160

167

either won’t rhyme neither

either won’t rhyme neither

*161

167

Fill up your stocking, (I’ve an inkling
That it belongs, in fact to pater -
But never mind!)

Fill up your stocking, (I’ve an inkling
That it belongs, in fact to pater -
But never mind!)

[note no italics on first half of first line]

Had to help Fr. C. out here. Ilbereth

162

173

They’re moving south, and getting bold,

They’re moving south, and getting bold,

163

174

Christmas Day

Christmas Day. Postscript by Ilbereth

164

174

Absolute ROT:
I have not got
[...]
I do not eat

Absolute ROT:
I have
not got
[...]
I do not eat

165

178

This is the last Beatrix Potter

This is the last Beatrix Potter

166

178

perhaps something after Christmas

perhaps something after Christmas

166a

180

Cliff House,
NORTH POLE

Cliff House
NORTH POLE

167

180

over the crackers I am sending.

over the crackers I am sending.

I am afraid there is no Basil coming. I have not got any small Bingos left! But I am sending a lovely clean aunt GILLY (which is short for Juliana) who will keep Milly in order I hope, or take her place if she does not improve. I hope all the other things are what you want.

168

182

living only on warm water for a fortnight

living only on warm water for a fortnight

169

185

He drew the trees in the picture

He drew the trees in the picture

170

185

They look more like umbrellas!

They look more like umbrellas?

170a

187

December 23rd 1940

Monday Dec 23 1940

171

187

Ar having verry DIFFICULT time this year but ar doing my our best.

Ar having verry DIFFICULT time this year but ar doing our best.

171a

188

Cliff House,
near North Pole

Cliff House
Near N. Pole

*171b

188

[“Xmas 1940” Envelope verso not reproduced]

[The verso of this envelope with wax seal was previously reproduced in the 1999 edition on page 140]

172

190

The picture is of Polar Bear dancing with their chiefs.

This is a picture of Polar Bear dancing with their chiefs.

173

190

all the books you asked for. I hope your stocking will seem full!

all the books you asked for. I could not get the pamphlets in time. Perhaps your father could get them for you? All the same I hope your stocking will seem full!

173a

192

Cliff House,
near (stump of) North Pole

Cliff House
near (stump of) N. Pole

174

192

We have had several battles,

We have had several battles,

175

195

they suddenly came out in thousands. Polar Bear says there were at least a million,

they suddenly came out in thousands. Polar Bear says there were at least a million,

176

195

There wer at leest a hundred million.

There wer at leest a hundred million OK

177

196

I have not had to blow it for over 4 hundred years:

I have not had to blow it for ... (There now: I was interrupted and it is now Christmas Eve, and I don't know when I shall get finished!) ... over 4 hundred years:

[Tolkien Collector #31, p. 36 has “There Now!” but the colon seems much more likely in the manuscript.]

177a

197

Allison Uttley

Allison Utterly [sic]

178

198

because there have been such exciting

because there has been such exciting

179

199

any kind of bear is a relation.

any kind of bear is a relation.

180

199

from your old friend Father Christmas
and Polar Bear

from your old friends Father Christmas
and Polar Bear

181

199

a really good bomb

a really good bomb

182

199

wot a really good exploashion

wot a really good explosion

[the a and h are crossed out - other examples of Tolkien correcting mistakes with crossouts were edited out of transcripts, but I think it ok to keep the bad spelling - not clear who made the corrections - perhaps done later?]

182a

200

Cliff House,
North Pole

Cliff House.
NORTH POLE.

*182b

200

Polar Bear tells me that he cannot find my letter from you

Polar Bear tells me that he cannot find any letter from you

183

200

so full of empty places (as Polar Bear says).

so full of empty places (as Polar Bear says although he is not an Irish bear).

*183a

202

[Envelope “XMAS 1942” verso with wax seal partially obscured]

[Was fully reproduced in 1999 edition p. 151 and the 2009 edition p. 155]

183b

203

polar cubs (Paksu and Valkotukka, of course, among them)

polar cubs (V & T of course among them)

[the transcribed names seem to be what Tolkien meant, and he just made a mistake with the initials in the letter. Note also there are no commas in the manuscript.]

184

203

well not exactly to you (he said)

well not exactly to you (he said)

185

203

does he eat gunpowder?

does he eat gunpowder?

185a

205

Cliff House,
North Pole,

Cliff House
N.P.

186

205

I shall not forget you.

I shall not forget you.

187

205

I fear, in very many places where I was especially fond of going; but I am

I fear, in very many places where I was especially fond of going (like Germany); but I am

*188

206

[Envelope verso not reproduced]

[This envelope verso with three wax seals is reproduced in the 1999 edition on p. 155]