Hark Dogs Bark by Johnson Riddle Text Walter Emanuel (1 results)

A rare seriocomic pictorial map of Europe at the outbreak of World War I. Likely designed in September 1914, after the German advance on Paris had been halted with the aid of the British at the battles of Mons and the Marne. The comedic depiction of the protagonist nations as dogs reflects the optimism of the British at this early stage of the conflict. The English bulldog, flanked by the French poodle, delivers a nasty bite to the nose of the pickelhaube-wearing German dachshund. This almost whimsical view of the war was of course short-lived. Soon Johnson, Riddle & Co. would be designing recruitment posters to attract volunteers into a war effort that had utterly lost the sense of playful optimism depicted here. A section of text at the bottom margin by William Emanuel gives a dog's-eye description of the scenes portrayed on the map. Ref. Bryars and Harper pp 46-47. Near fine. Map has creases from being folded into 16ths. There are a few tiny separations at fold intersections but no loss. Single sheet. 22" x 30". Folds into paper covers.