This very rare political caricature map of Europe depicts the continent at the outbreak of World War I, or as it was called at the time the Great War. The principal countries in the conflict are depicted as the Dogs of War. Germany is identified as an aggressive Dachshund attached to its Austrian ally shown as a yapping mongrel. Opposing them is the dandified French Poodle and the British Bulldog who has chomped onto the Dachshund's nose. Russia is depicted both as a traditional bear and as a massive steamroller driven into the heart of Europe by a determined-looking Tsar. A giant British sailor is puppeteer for a huge naval fleet, while a Turk with his pet Dachshund controls a small German fleet in the Black Sea. The other countries are also boldly caricatured with humorous illustrations - a Spanish bullfighter; a knife-wielding Greek; an Italian carabinieri; a Swiss mountaineer; and a Serbian mosquito. It would take a good deal of study to understand the totality of this map's political and satirical nuances.

This is apparently a French issue with the French title appended to the English, which draws on the Mother Goose nursery rhyme. We have only been able to find examples of the English version, which has explanation text by Walter Emanuel and was published in London by G.W. Bacon & Co. (1914). This is a hand colored lithograph, whereas the English version is printed color.

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Condition: B

There is some toning at left and a few minor abrasions and creases in the image. Laid-down on a poster board.