1914 Johnson / Riddle WWI Comic Map of Europe: Hark! Hark! The Dogs do Bark!

An uncommon French edition of an iconic 1914 serio-comic style satirical map by Johnson, Riddle, and Company issued shortly after the outbreak of World War I (1914 - 1918). The chromolithograph map covers all of 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 of the map. 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.

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 looking German Dachshund who is chained to a mongrel dog, representing the ethnically diverse Austrian Empire. The two dominant human figures on the map 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 steam roll 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 Jewish 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.

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 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 of the map. It was published by G. W. Bacon and Company. Most examples are in English. We have not previously seen the current French edition.