Catalog Archive
Auction 195, Lot 39

"The World According to Ronald Reagan"

Subject: World

Period: 1982 (dated)

Publication:

Color: Printed Color

Size:
34 x 22.1 inches
86.4 x 56.1 cm
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This superb persuasive map satirizes the political situation between the United States and Soviet Union in the 1980s, at the beginning of Ronald Reagan's presidency. The focal points of the map are large caricatures of Ronald Reagan, dressed as a cowboy and standing in an absurdly large California, and Leonid Brezhnev, overseeing the "Godless communists, liars and spies" of the Soviet Union. Both leaders eye one another suspiciously while standing ready to pull their guns out of their holsters. The map gives an unfavorable view of nearly every friend and foe of the United States, as well as of citizens of the United States itself. The only group that appears unscathed is the "Republicans and other real Americans" that occupies the central and southeastern United States. "Democrats and welfare bums" are relegated to the Northeast, while those in the Pacific Northwest are noted as "environmental freaks." Allies of the United States aren't treated any better: Eastern Canada is "Acidrainia" while western Canada is "unexplored wasteland;" Britain is noted as a "Reaganomics prototype;" western Europe is labeled "socialists and pacifists;" and Australia is simply identified as "kangaroos." This map was created by David Horsey (born 1951), an editorial cartoonist who has won two Pulitzer prizes for his work. This is the first edition of this map by Horsey, with later editions published with numerous changes. Published by AA Graphics, Inc. in Seattle, Washington.

References:

Condition: A

A crisp example with a few tiny abrasions in the image. There are pinholes in the corners of the sheet, as well as some tiny tears and creases along the edges of the sheet.

Estimate: $1,100 - $1,400

Sold for: $800

Closed on 11/15/2023

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