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. The title draws on the Mother Goose nursery rhyme. At bottom is explanatory text by Walter Emanuel. Designed and printed by Johnson, Riddle & Co. and published by G. W. Bacon & Col. Issued in brown paper wrappers.

Although the human personification of continents and countries can be seen as early as the 14th century (on maps by Opicinus de Canestris), human and animal metaphors on maps reached a new level in Europe between 1845 and 1945 with political cartoon maps. The rise of these satirical maps reflected the momentous political and cultural changes that occurred during the time. Political leaders were caricaturized and European nations were given symbolic identities that lent humor and accessibility to the geographical map. Based on popular stereotypes, these visual representations even found their way into the classroom to help bring geography and politics to life. Original serio-comic maps are very scarce due to their ephemeral nature.

References: Baynton-Williams, pp. 206-07; Curtis & Pederson, pp. 22-23; PJ Mode Collection #2207.01.

Condition: B+

A bright and clean example, issued folding with several short fold separations and one separation that enters 1.5" into image at top, adjacent to Scandinavia. The covers are very lightly worn with a few short tears along the spine.