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Our Greeting Cards and Fine Art Posters showing

Arthur Rackham's "The Sea Battle"

When presented on Greeting Cards (approximately 7x5" on premium acid-free card stock), this image is prepared as a tipped-on plate - in 'hommage' to the hand-crafted

approach typical of prestige illustrated publications produced in the early decades of the 20th Century. Each card is hand-finished, with the image presented on Ivory card

stock with an accompanying envelope. On the rear of each card we also present some information about Arthur Rackham and this wonderful illustration. We have left the

interior of the cards blank so that you may write your own personal message.

Each of our Fine Art Posters are prepared with archival quality materials and processes to ensure many years of enjoyment. In addition, our reproductions are accompanied

by explanatory material relating to Arthur Rackham and this wonderful illustration.

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The tale included in the Norse Edda of Snorri Sturluson

As recorded by Sturluson, the tale of 'The Fishing of Thor' is retold by Hárr thus:

It is not unknown, though one be not a scholar, that Thor took redress for this journey of which the tale has but now been told;

and he did not tarry at home long before he made ready for his journey so hastily that he had with him no chariot and no

he-goats and no retinue. He went out over Midgard in the guise of a young lad, and came one evening at twilight to a certain

giant's, who was called Hymir. Thor abode as guest there overnight; but at dawn Hymir arose and clothed himself and made

ready to row to sea a-fishing. Then Thor sprang up and was speedily ready, and asked Hymir to let him row to sea with him.

But Hymir said that Thor would be of little help to him, being so small and a youth, 'And thou wilt freeze, if I stay so long and

so far out as I am wont.' But Thor said that he would be able to row far out from land, for the reason that it was not certain

whether he would be the first to ask to row back. Thor became so enraged at the giant that he was forthwith ready to let his

hammer crash against him; but he forced himself to forbear, since he purposed to try his strength in another quarter. He

asked Hymir what they should have for bait, but Hymir bade him get bait for himself. Then Thor turned away thither where he,

saw a certain herd of oxen, which Hymir owned; he took the largest ox, called Himinbrjotr, and cut off its head and went

therewith to the sea. By that time Hymir had shoved out the boat.

Thor went aboard the skiff and sat down in the stern-seat, took two oars and rowed; and it seemed to Hymir that swift

progress came of his rowing. Hymir rowed forward in the bow, and the rowing proceeded rapidly; then Hymir said that they

had arrived at those fishing-banks where he was wont to anchor and angle for flat-fish. But Thor said that he desired to row

much further, and they took a sharp pull; then Hymir said that they had come so far that it was perilous to abide out farther

because of the Midgard Serpent. Thor replied that they would row a while yet, and so he did; but Hymir was then sore afraid.

Now as soon as Thor had laid by the oars, he made ready a very strong fishing-line, and the hook was no less large and

strong. Then Thor put the ox-head on the hook and cast it overboard, and the hook went to the bottom; and it is telling thee the

truth to say that then Thor beguiled the Midgard Serpent no less than Útgarda-Loki had mocked Thor, at the time when he

lifted up the Serpent in his hand.

The Midgard Serpent snapped at the ox-head, and the hook caught in its jaw; but when the Serpent was aware of this, it

dashed away so fiercely that both Thor's fists crashed against the gunwale. Then Thor was angered, and took upon him his

divine strength, braced his feet so strongly that he plunged through the ship with both feet, and dashed his feet against the

bottom; then he drew the Serpent up to the gunwale. And it may be said that no one has seen very fearful sights who might

not see that: bow Thor flashed fiery glances at the Serpent, and the Serpent in turn stared up toward him from below and blew

venom. Then, it is said, the giant Hymir grew pale, became yellow, and was sore afraid, when he saw the Serpent, and how

the sea rushed out and in through the boat. In the very moment when Thor clutched his hammer and raised it on high, then the

giant fumbled for his fish-knife and hacked off Thor's line at the gunwale, and the Serpent sank down into the sea. Thor hurled

his hammer after it; and men say that he struck off its head against the bottom; but I think it were true to tell thee that the

Midgard Serpent yet lives and lies in the encompassing sea. But 'Thor swung his fist and brought it against Hymir's ear, so

that he plunged overboard, and Thor saw the soles of his feet. And Thor waded to land.

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