1914 – K. Lehmann-Dumont – Humoristische Karte von Europa

Title:                      “Humoristische Karte von Europa im Jahre 1914.”

Description:

This rare political caricature map of Europe depicts the continent at the outbreak of World War I. It 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.

Germany is shown as an innocent good guy beset on all sides by the vicious and the avaricious, “the peaceful victim of its neighbors’ unprovoked aggression, who with her allies, is opposing her attackers’ savagery with irresistible force.”, grasping the Frenchman by his throat and punching the Russian bear. Germany’s bees to attack its enemies, which appear on the map as both bees and missiles.

France, already covered in bees and calls to England for help.

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 as Ireland attempts to cut the chain which links it to the mainland. The Englishman has also dragged Japan into the war, and holds a string that is attached to Japan, depicted in an inset at left.

Italy remains tucked well down in its ‘boot’.

The Turk is shown reclining, his arm in a sling, lightly wounded by the Balkan Wars of 1912-1913, but bearing a lit candle, which is impaled on the tip of a scimitar in his other hand and threatens to explode the powder keg under the loutish, drunken Russian.

Austria is shooting the Russian bear.

Belgium, whose people shows itself to be a poisonous toad, has already been skewered on the German fixing pin in order to be incorporated into the German collection.

Montenegro, the fat Nikita foolishly fights against Germany and Austria-Hungary and jubilantly receives Russian rubles for his effort.

Spain, King Alfonse counts his war chest, his family is against unnecessary expenses, while the knight Don Quixote already raises his lance.

Portugal leans comfortably against Spain while reading the war reports.

Holland is impolitely interrupted during breakfast as a stray bomb lands in his cup of cocoa.

Denmark peacefully makes butter deliveries to German, the bayonet point of 1864 has been made safe.

Norway, as a friend and brother of Germans, applauds us.

Sweden watches developments in Russia closely and in arms.

Switzerland watches the world conflagration in all comfort and is already an asylum for homeless Russian grand dukes.

Rumania energetically forges its sword.

Bulgaria, Ferdinand busily washes his saber, still bloody from the Balkan War.

Greece, with its conquered bit of Turkey, cleverly considers its next action.

Albania, the ‘Commission’ persists in waiting in quiet prayer.

The map is crammed with numerous subtle references to national stereotypes and historical events. German text below the map describing each country’s “character”.

The map was issued by Karl Lehmann-Dumont and published in Dresden in 1914 by Leutert and Schneidewind.

Author:                 Karl Lehmann-Dumont

Sheet size:          49,6 x 36,1 cm
Year:                      1914
Technique:        chromo lithography
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Condition:
Very good condition. Folding lines preset.

​This is an original antique map published in 1914 and NOT a modern copy or reprint

On your request I will provide a Certificate of Authenticity