Anti-Italian Propaganda Map at Start of World War I

"Bismarks Ausspruch: Gott hat den Menschen nach Seinen Ebenbilde Erschaffen, den Italiener Aber, nach Jenem des Judas",

This Austrian propaganda map vilifies Italy for joining the Triple Entente and declaring war on Austria-Hungary as a result of the April 1915 Treaty of London. Italy had previously been part of the 1882 Triple Alliance with Germany and Austria-Hungary, which had been periodically renewed until cancelled in 1915. The Triple Alliance was initiated by German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck with the intent of protecting each of the countries in the alliance in the event of an attack by France. However tensions were high between Italy and Austria-Hungary due to contentious territorial claims in the Balkans and in particular Istria, causing Italy to eventually form a secret alliance with France in 1902 to remain neutral with one another. At the outset of World War I, Italy declared itself neutral but the Triple Entente was determined to bring Italy to its side. Italy eventually decided to align with the Triple Entente, in part due to the fact that France and Britain controlled a large percentage of Italy's imports of raw materials.

This poster shows Bismarck beneath one of his quotes regarding Italy's duplicitous nature, which translates as: God made man in his own image, but Italy in the image of Judas. Beside Bismarck is the figure of Germania with a sword and shield riding atop the Austro-Hungarian eagle with legions of armed forces behind her. Italy is depicted as a uniformed soldier who places a stake in Trieste, Istria with one hand while accepting silver coins from France and Britain with the other hand. A miniature King Victor Emmanuel tries to pull the soldier away from France (represented by Marianne) and Britain (represented by British Foreign Minister Lord Grey). Gabriele d'Annunzio, an Italian poet and political activist who emigrated to France before the war and was in support of the Triple Entente, is shown in a jester costume in the heel of Italy with a sack of coins beside him. Two key Italian political figures, Foreign Secretary Sidney Sonnino and Prime Minister Antonio Salandra, are shown in Sardinia and Sicily exchanging a contract with a seal hanging down stamped "30," ostensibly to indicate that they too received money in exchange for their allegiance to France and Britain.

This fascinating piece of political propaganda is very rare, with only one known previous dealer listing. Published by E.B.W.I. and sold for 20 Heller, with a copyright notice forbidding reproductions.

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Condition: B+

A sharp impression on a lightly toned sheet with soiling at far right and left. There are archival repairs to a tear in the bottom right corner of the sheet and the edges of the sheet have been archivally reinforced on verso.