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Jackie Robertson’s second letter to Santa
Call number: Mss1 R5495 b 6809–6813

In a later letter to Santa, Jackie acknowledges "the war," and to ease Santa's burden, he is only requesting one thing–a Machine Gun no. 42–70 which he saw in the FAO Schwarz catalog. He ends his letter with one hope, that Santa has “anought toys for everybody this Christmas."
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Elise Eppes’s letter to Santa, 1916
Call number: Mss1 Ep734 d 487

Our earliest letter to Santa was written in City Point, Virginia, in 1916. Elise Eppes lists a number of items for Santa to bring. Her list provides us insight on how she spent her day. Elise seems to have enjoyed gardening. She asks for a plow, live plants, and some vegetable seeds. From her requests for a saw, a tool chest, and a sharp hatchet, I get the sense that Elise liked to make things. Although she wrote this letter to Santa nearly a century ago, some of the items are similar to those written today, including requests for crayons, games, and books.
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Jane Cecil’s letter to Santa, 1936
Call number: Mss1 C2597 b 1015

In a 1936 letter to Santa, Jane Cecil asks for items representing some of the fads and trends of the 1930s that have continued to the present day. Among the items on her list are the book The Camel with the Wrinkled Knees (featuring Raggedy Ann and Andy), a camera, a Mickey Mouse watch, and a toy radio. Perhaps with the exception of Raggedy Ann and Andy, these items are still on many a child’s wish list.
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