TIMLIN, William Mitcheson.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

Original watercolour for The Ship That Sailed to Mars: "The Arrival." Born in Northumberland, Timlin emigrated to South Africa, where he studied art and practised as an architect. The Ship That Sailed to Mars (1923) is his only published book, a fantastical illustrated gift book that rivalled those of Rackham, Dulac, Goble and Nielsen. The book was published by George Harrap, who had earlier published Willy Pogany in the same format, with calligraphic text mounted, like the plates, on grey matte paper. Timlin's book is divided in three parts: detailing the building and outfitting of the space ship, the journey, and the arrival. "The Arrival" is the first plate of the third part, showing the ship's arrival on Mars itself, sailing high over a lake surrounded by fantastical buildings, the Martian princess watching them from a terrace overlooking the lake. The painting is signed by the artist after publication at the lower left.

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