A fine manuscript ‘Serio-Comic’ map of First World War Europe

A professional-quality satirical map depicting the countries of Europe during the second year of the First World War. At the centre is a figure representing Germany, wearing a pickelhaube (spiked helmet) and a Kaiser-Bill moustache, sword in one hand poison-gas canister in the other. Underneath is a decrepit old man on crutches waving a wooden sword, a sad indictment of the former glories of the Austro-Hungarian empire. Germany's third ally, the Ottoman Empire, is shown with legs amputated above the knee, with only stilts in their place. Bulgaria sharpens his sword. Surrounding Germany are its opponents: both England Russia are turning their big guns on Germany, while French, Serbian and Italian soldiers advance with bayonets fixed. Cartographical accuracy is ignored in this satire, with the countries only rough shapes. However it should be noted that Scotland is an island, Serbia is east of Austria and there is no Bosphorus separating Europe and Asia. We assumed that this caricature was drawn for publication: however we have been unable to trace any printed version. The artist was serious when he wrote 'Reproduction interdite' in the bottom corner.