Arthur Rackham Confronts Peril on the Fjord

A sociologist and abolitionist, Harriet Martineau stands as one of the most influential female writers and intellectuals of the 1800s. Despite losing much of her hearing by age 12 along with other health issues, she became a prolific author translating texts and contributing progressive social commentary to publications starting in 1821.

Set sail into Rackham’s Nordic drama before this rare voyage vanishes into the mists!

Buy Feats on the Fjord

1899 children’s Norse adventure story Feats on the Fjord with fantasy icon Arthur Rackham’s illustrations.

12 Rackham visions including color frontispiece heightening fjord perils
Early showcase of brooding majesty before his fame for fantasy landscapes
Scarce thriller collaboration between pioneering abolitionist Harriet Martineau and burgeoning atmospherics master
A collectible glimpse of Rackham’s style extending beyond fairy tales

Though initially writing anonymously, Martineau published over 50 books and earned a groundbreaking income from her publications as a professional female writer. Always at the forefront of reform movements, her celebrity status remains most tied to unwavering support for the abolition of slavery in America. Legendary orator Wendell Phillips called her “the greatest American abolitionist” when unveiling her statue in Boston in 1883.

Beyond journalism and nonfiction, Martineau produced books in many genres including Feats on the Fjord – an 1899 children’s adventure set in Norway that saw twelve skillful illustrations by fantasist Arthur Rackham. Though Rackham had just crested into fame depicting fairy worlds, Martineau’s youth-aimed thriller provided early opportunity to capture more realist tension and emotion on the Scandinavian seas that served his talent well in later masterpieces.

Formats:

Blue leather binding with gilt stamping (237 pages)
Blue cloth binding with blind stamping (237 pages)

Size: 3 5⁄8 x 6 inches

Series: The Temple Classics For Young People

Text: Feats on the Fjord by Harriet Martineau

Illustrations: Frontispiece color plate, 11 black & white plates by Arthur Rackham

Publisher: J.M. Dent & Company (London)

Publication Date: 1899

Summary: Beloved children’s book illustrator Arthur Rackham provided 12 visions, including a frontispiece color plate, to accompany English writer Harriet Martineau’s Feats on the Fjord. Part of the Temple Classics for Young People series published by J.M. Dent in 1899, this short Nordic adventure aimed at juvenile readers sees siblings experience exciting trials across the Norwegian seascape. The slim volume features both finely bound leather and cloth versions.

While Rackham had just produced a starmaking run of fantasy illustrations from 1897-1899, this rugged story stretched his talents depicting more realist peril and landscapes. As he continued associated works like 1900’s Ching-Ching’s Voyage, his stirring vignettes here capture youthful figures upon the rough waves under an ominous sky, foreshadowing his coming mastery bringing tempestuous drama and emotional poignancy to imaginative realms beyond childhood.