TCG Letter #1929

Father Christmas writes to Michael but has no time. He hopes that Michael's "engine goes well". Polar Bear adds a post script noting that Michael should find a "magic wishing cracker" to make a wish. He says that FC was very busy, with so many presents that his sleigh would not start. He closes by saying that he is "the GREAT (Polar) BEAR".

In 'Toward an Annotated Father Christmas' Ian Hollenbaugh further notes the following details:

This is the first time Michael Tolkien, now four years old (born 22 October 1920), is addressed by Father Christmas; he even gets a separate letter from John’s, and in a separate envelope (as seldom occurs in all of the Father Christmas letters).

The Polar Bear is said to “have a fat paw”, explaining why he uses such fat paintbrush strokes, until he finally learns “to write with a pen in [his] mouth instead of a paintbrush” in 1927.

“Hope the engine goes well” — In reference to a model train (matching John’s “station”): “the boys are model train enthusiasts” (Chronology, p. 136). The children receive train-related toys on a number of Christmases, as in 1928 and 1931.

1924	A 76	B 94	C 95	D 99	E 04	F 09	G 12	H 19	I 20	J 23
Letter - "John Francis with love from Father Christmas", 1 page				16	10	17	17	23	18	18
Transcription				16	10	16	16	22	19	19
Postscript from Great (Polar) Bear, "my stars" / "Inside you will find a magic wishing cracker...", 1 page								24	24	24
Transcription of Polar Bear postscript								25	25	25
Envelope to John			11					22	19	19
Stamp to John - purple, rainbow flame sun behind north pole, "N" "1924 X" "P" across bottom	4		11					22	19	19
Letter to Michael from Father Christmas, 1 page				16	10	14	14	18	22	22
Transcription				16	10	15	15	19	23	23
Postscript from Great (Polar) Bear "Fr Christmas was in great hurry...", 1 page NOTE: until the 2019 edition, this postscript was assumed to be with the 1925 letter.			8	22	14	22	22	21	21	21
Transcription of Polar Bear postscript				20- 22	12- 14	23	23	20	20	20
Envelope to Michael			15	17	11	15	15	19	23	23
Envelope to Michael verso with commercial Father Christmas seal			RC	1
Stamp to Michael - Light purple, red and yellow sun behind north pole, "North 1924 Pole"	1		15	3	11	15	15	19	23	23