The Zankiwank & The Bletherwitch by S.J. Adair Fitzgerald
The Fantastical Nonsense of The Zankiwank and The Bletherwitch
Though initially met with lukewarm reception akin to Lewis Carroll’s literary nonsense, S.J. Adair Fitzgerald’s 1896 children’s book The Zankiwank and the Bletherwitch has since become a classic of imaginative worldbuilding. The nonsensical verses follow the exploits of the eccentric title characters in an absurd fantasy realm. While the farcical tales were seen as too ridiculous by some early critics, the book’s fortunes turned following Arthur Rackham’s splendid accompanying illustrations.
Don’t miss your chance at Rackham history – secure this pivotal volume that shaped his fame!
Buy The Zankiwank & The Bletherwitch
Arthur Rackham’s breakout 1896 fantasy collaboration – The Zankiwank & The Bletherwitch’s nonsense poems.
- 41 magical drawings, including 17 full-page scenes, cementing Rackham’s style
- Whirled critics, but masterfully captured the absurd realm’s appeal to all ages
- A landmark pairing of text and image that made Rackham’s reputation for transportive whimsy
- A cornerstone fantasy showcase that influenced generations of illustrators
Rackham, a master of the British Golden Age of Illustration from 1850-1914, brought an elevated air of magic and dreamy humor to Fitzgerald’s stories with his 40+ drawings. With his haunting, romantic style melding mysticism and whimsy, Rackham cemented the book’s enduring appreciation. His detailed visions guide readers through surreal landscapes where tree roots transform into networks of veined feet and teapots sprout butterfly wings. Beyond charming children, Rackham’s compositions reveal deeper personality in Fitzgerald’s wacky leads, bridging text and image into an immersive experience that fascinated all ages. Though nonsensical, the Rare Book Review would later describe it as “one of the most important and influential children’s books ever published.” Often credited with this reversal of fortune, Rackham demonstrated his singular gift for merging wonder and emotional resonance with even the most fanciful flights of imagination.
Formats:
- 1896 UK edition (J.M. Dent & Co.)
- 1896 US edition (E.P. Dutton & Co.)
The earliest book in which Arthur Rackham is named as illustrator on the title page and the first to feature his trademark style of fantastical whimsy.
Binding: Green cloth hardcover with gilt top, gold pictorial stamping and lettering
Size: 5 5/8 x 7 5/8 inches
Text: The Zankiwank & The Bletherwitch by S.J. Adair Fitzgerald
Illustrations: 41 black and white drawings by Arthur Rackham – 17 full page
Pages: 188 numbered pages
Summary: Beloved illustrator Arthur Rackham contributed over 40 whimsical drawings, including 17 full-page images, for this 1896 children’s book of humorous nonsense poems entitled The Zankiwank & The Bletherwitch. Written by Irish lyricist S.J. Adair Fitzgerald, the verses build an imaginary world starring two colorful nonsense creatures.
Both the ornate UK edition published by J.M. Dent & Co. and the US version from E.P. Dutton & Co. feature Rackham’s splendid black and white scenes pronounced with his signature inky contours. Though not always credited to Rackham during his rise, this fanciful collaboration capturing playful characters in his emerging storybook style proved seminal in cementing his fame for transportive fantasy tableaus.
Most crucially, it marks Rackham’s breakout gift for embedding wonder and dimension into the most light-hearted whimsy on the page.
