The Ship That Sailed to Mars is a singular achievement in early 20th-century fantasy illustration and storytelling. Written and illustrated by South African artist and architect William Mitcheson Timlin, the book tells the tale of an old man who dreams of building a ship capable of sailing to Mars. With help from magical creatures—elves, fairies, and other fantastical beings—he completes his ship and embarks on a voyage to the red planet.
The book is remarkable not only for its whimsical narrative but also for its unique format and lavish production. Originally envisioned as a handmade manuscript, the first edition was published as a facsimile of Timlin’s original calligraphy and illustrations. Rather than traditional typeset pages, the text is hand-lettered, and each of the 48 pages of text is paired with 48 magnificent color plates. These illustrations blend Art Nouveau and Pre-Raphaelite influences with a dreamlike fantasy sensibility, offering haunting, fantastical landscapes and delicately rendered architecture.
