Rare Pro-German Propaganda Targeting German Immigrants within the United States

"Humoristische Karte von Europa im Jahre 1914",

This rare political caricature map of Europe depicts the continent at the outbreak of World War I and is one of the very few pro-German political propaganda maps that infiltrated the United States. The map was originally created by Karl Lehmann-Dumont in Dresden, and this rare edition was "improved" by F. A. Thalmann and published by Standard Map Company in Chicago, Illinois with a price of "20 Cents" added below the text. This American edition was targeted at the German immigrant community within the United States at the outset of the war while the United States was still neutral. As the war progressed and the United States began supporting the Allies, the German immigrant population in the US and pro-German propaganda came under increasing scrutiny and control by US authorities.

This map depicts the Germans' view of the alliance situation and territorial issues towards the end of the first year of the war. The key countries involved in the war are represented by human caricatures with various props that help illustrate the situation. German text below the map describes each country's "character," and each country is depicted in a fascinating and humorous manner. The key difference in this "improved" edition is in the representation of Turkey, both in the map image and the text below. Turkey, a Sultan whose wounds from the Balkan war have healed, smokes a pipe and holds a scimitar in one hand while reaching the other hand across the Black Sea to grab the Russian giant's beard. The text has been updated to explain how Turkey has easily convinced both Russia and England. Germany is described as a Deutsche Michel (an ordinary or average German), stretching and extending himself with all his might, already grasping the Frenchman by his throat and punching the Russian bear. Germany's Imperial Eagle unleashes bees from their hive to attack its enemies, which appear on the map as both bees and missiles. France, already covered in bees, appears to retreat, and calls to England for help. Meanwhile, the French rooster crows about its victories in the battles from 1870-71 (Franco-Prussian War). The giant Russian bears an "Angel of Peace" symbol on his cap, with a bottle of Vodka in one hand and a whip of "revolution" in the other hand. The Russian opens his mouth wide in an attempt to swallow Germany and Austria whole, but is deterred by the German bees. England, who has caused Egypt to declare war, stands on bags of money while being punched in the face by an iron fist. The English bulldog finds it difficult to breathe with an Indian snake wrapped around its neck. The Englishman has also dragged Japan into the war, and holds a string that is attached to Japan, depicted in an inset at left. Numerous other intricate relationships and symbolic references fill the map.

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: cf. Curtis & Pedersen (War Map) pp. 32-35; cf. PJ Mode Collection #1174.01.

Condition: B+

Light soiling, backed in archival tissue to provide support and repair a few small chips and tears along the edges of the sheet.