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1914 Johnson / Riddle WWI Comic Map of Europe: Hark! Hark! The Dogs do Bark!
$1,400.00
1914 Johnson / Riddle WWI Comic Map of Europe: Hark! Hark! The Dogs do Bark!
HarkHarktheDogsdoBark-johnsonriddle-1914-2$1,450.00
Title
Hark! Hark! The Dogs Do Bark!
1914 (dated) 22 x 29 in (55.88 x 73.66 cm) 1 : 6575000
1914 (dated) 22 x 29 in (55.88 x 73.66 cm) 1 : 6575000
Description
An iconic 1914 serio-comic satirical map by Johnson, Riddle, and Company issued shortly after the outbreak of World War I (1914 - 1918). The map covers Europe from the Atlantic to the Black Sea and from Scandinavia to Italy. Superimposed on the map are a host of dogs, as well as other animals, and several human figures. Text by the popular Jewish satirist Walter Lewis Emanual appears at the bottom. The lighthearted content captures English optimism early in the war. It was widely assumed that British naval superiority would end the war quickly, some argued in as little as six weeks.
All in all, the map succinctly reveals the underlying tensions that led to World War I. For any who need additional elucidation, there is a wonderful write-up at the base of the map by humorist Walter Emanuel explaining the message of the map in detail.
Historical Context
This map was issued shortly after French and British forces halted the German advance at the August 23, 1914 'Battle of Mons'. They are represented here as a British Bulldog and a neatly groomed French Poodle taking on a distinctively submissive posture. Facing them are a rather earnest German Dachshund who is chained to a mongrel dog, representing the ethnically diverse Austrian Empire. The two dominant human figures are England and Russia. England is symbolized by Winston Churchill, then Lord of the Admiralty, who plays puppet master with the British Navy directing a blockade of Germany. Russia, on the opposite corner of the map, is poised to steamroll over Europe. The Balkans are a stirred-up hornet's nest.All in all, the map succinctly reveals the underlying tensions that led to World War I. For any who need additional elucidation, there is a wonderful write-up at the base of the map by humorist Walter Emanuel explaining the message of the map in detail.
Made for Children?
It has been postulated that this map may have been made for children and passed in schools, thus accounting for its scarcity today. As the war developed publishers like Johnson, Riddle, and Company became more focused on war propaganda and recruitment efforts than educational humor.Publication History and Census
This map was designed by Johnson, Riddle, and Company, of South London. The work was completed in conjunction with the satirist Walter Lewis Emanual, whose canine-themed humor fits the map and who composed the lengthy text at the bottom. It was published by G. W. Bacon and Company.CartographerS
Johnson, Riddle and Company (fl. c. 1910 - 1974) was early to mid-20th century graphic artists and printers active in South London. They are best known for their exceptionally composed and highly graphic World War I (1914 -1918) propaganda and recruitment posters. Specifically, they received a lucrative contract from the Parliamentary Recruitment Committee to produce posters between 1914 and 1916. Later they issued many posters promoting the London Underground. Their most significant cartographic work is the serio-comic map Hark! Hark! The Dogs Do Bark!, a satirical look at World War I. They remained active until 1974. More by this mapmaker...
Walter Lewis Emanuel (April 2, 1869 - August 4, 1915) was a well-known English satirist of Jewish descent. Emanuel was born in Paddington, London. He studied at the University Collegiate School and at Heidelberg University, becoming a general solicitor in 1896. With the publication of his first book, Me, he left legal practice in 1901 to pursue a career in humor writing. Emanuel's work was featured in humor magazines such as Punch, where he had a weekly column 'Charivari', as well as in various books where he is known for anthropomorphic dog characters. The most famous such books were The Dogs of War (1906 and again in 1913), and A Dog Day (1919). He also published a short-lived English humor magazine, The Butterfly. Following in the dog theme, his most significant cartographic work his contribution of text the 1914 serio-comic map Hark! Hark! The Dogs Do Bark! - a canine-themed satirical look at Europe during World War I (1914 -1918). He died in Ladbroke-Court, Kensington, London, at just 46. Learn More...
George Washington Bacon (1830 - 1922) was a London based book and map publisher active in the mid to late 19th century. Bacon's firm G.W. Bacon and Co. purchased the plates created by Edward Weller for the Weekly Dispatch Atlas then modified and updated them for several of their own important atlases, including The New Ordnance Atlas of the British Isles. In 1893, Bacon & Co. acquired the map publishing business of J. Wyld. Then, around the turn of the century, Bacon & Co. itself was folded into the Scottish publishing house of W.& A.K. Johnston. Learn More...
Condition
Good. Some wear and verso reinforcement on original fold lines. Archivally verso-reinforced pinholes in all four corners.
References
OCLC 78847141. Bryers, T., and Harper, T., A History of the 20th Century in 100 Maps, p. 46-47. Baynton-Williams, A., The Curious Map Book, p. 206-207.