1931 Diakoff Pictorial Wall Map of China

Among the most extraordinary pictorial maps we have seen to date, a masterpiece. This enormous and lavish chromolithograph pictorial map of China was compiled in 1931 by John A. Diakoff, drawn by G. Primakoff, and printed by Yao-Hsiun. The map covers all of China from Kashgar to Taiwan, including neighboring Korea, Japan, Mongolia, and Nepal. All lands within the borders of China are rich in color and detail with countless vignettes illustrating a diversity of plant and animal life, distinct cultures, architectures, and resources. Text and annotations throughout are in both English and Chinese. Regions outside of China, like Japan, Korea, and India, are also heavily illustrated with vignettes, but are not in color.

Political Persuasion

Diakoff 's map, ostensibly intended for Chinese school children in Harbin, hints as some of his political positions. For example, it suggests that Russians remained active in Manchuria - which in 1931 they were not. Harbin is represented by a railroad worker in Cossack dress. The inclusion of Tibet within the borders of China is another unusual choice, considering that Tibet threw off the yolk of Qing rule in 1912 and was not annexed into the Republic of China until 1951. Taiwan too - t the time a Japanese colony - is here color coded as part of China. Diakoff appears to have been expressing support for China's historical claims to the region. It is of note that the title suggests that the map was 'approved by the Department of Education of the three Eastern Provinces' suggesting that the inclusion of China's territorial claims, may have been intended to appease this board. 

Chromolithography

Chromolithography is a color lithographic technique developed in the mid-19th century. The process involved using multiple lithographic stones, one for each color, to yield a rich composite effect. Oftentimes, the process would start with a black basecoat upon which subsequent colors were layered. Some chromolithographs used 30 or more separate lithographic stones to achieve the desired effect. Chromolithograph color could also be effectively blended for even more dramatic results. The process became extremely popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when it emerged as the dominate method of color printing. The vivid color chromolithography produced made it exceptionally effective for advertising and propaganda imagery.

Publication History and Census

This map was designed by John A. Diakoff (Ivan Andreevich D'Iakov) in 1931. It was drawn by G. Primakoff and engraved by P. Sergeeff. These later individuals are difficult to trace due to both the incompleteness, anglicization, and commonality of their names. Primakoff is most likely 'Перминов' and Surgeeff is most likely ' Сергеев', but beyond this, there are at least 3 possibilities for Primakoff and 2 for Surgeeff. The map was published by the Northern Trading Company (Северн. Торг. Ко), based in Harbin. The name of a Harbin-Chinese lithographer, V. F. Yao-Hsiun is also associated with the map and it is believed he may have been the actual printer. Examples are uncommon and highly desirable.