Rare Book Monthly

Articles - November - 2018 Issue

Now thru Nov. 14: Old World Auctions offers pictorial and persuasive maps

Highlights from Old World Auctions' current auction running until Nov. 14

Highlights from Old World Auctions' current auction running until Nov. 14

By the time November’s issue of Rare Book Monthly goes out, Old World Auctions’ Auction 170 will have been live for half a day or so. As always, their sale is online only, and this freshest offering of maps and cartographic material will be accepting bids until 10AM Eastern on November 14th. The catalog is viewable here

Featuring approximately 750 lots, the sale is strong in its pictorial maps—something Eliane Dotson, co-owner of the company, tells me is the “hottest segment of map collecting these days.” Much of what’s being offered is relevant today, whether relating to history not repeating itself, or promoting solid ideologies like peace, tolerance of religion and racial equality.

The following are some of the most interesting items from the lot, described in detail by Old World Auctions and organized by category.

 

WWI

 

"My Country, 'Tis of Thee" by Life Magazine, 1916

This intent of this cover to Life Magazine was to persuade Americans to take a more active role in WWI.  At the time this map was published, the United States maintained a neutral stance under the leadership of President Woodrow Wilson, however some Americans were beginning to see the danger of a strong German Empire, in particular after the sinking of the passenger liner RMS Lusitania by the Germans in May 1915.  This map warns readers of what might happen to their "sweet land of liberty" if the United States did not protect itself both at home and abroad, with the United States renamed New Prussia with Germanized versions of various cities, such as Denverburg, New York City as New Potsdam, and DC as New Berlin.

 

"Humoristische Karte von Europa im Jahre 1914" by Karl Lehmann-Dumont, 1914

This rare political caricature map of Europe depicts the continent at the outbreak of World War I. The map was created by Karl Lehmann-Dumont in Dresden, and 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.

 

"Hark! Hark! The Dogs Do Bark! / Horch! Horch! Die Hunde Bellen!" by G. W. Bacon & Company, 1914

This very rare political caricature map of Europe depicts the continent at the outbreak of World War I with the principal countries in the conflict depicted as the Dogs of War. Germany is identified as an aggressive Dachshund attached to its Austrian ally shown as a yapping mongrel. Opposing them is the dandified French Poodle and the British Bulldog who has chomped onto the Dachshund's nose. Russia is depicted both as a traditional bear and as a massive steamroller driven into the heart of Europe by a determined-looking Tsar.

 

"Gedrangte Fruhjahrsubersicht von Europa im Jahre 1915" by Lucas Grafe, 1915

This fascinating German propaganda map 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 caricatures of political leaders and the military.  Each country is accompanied by a short rhyme describing (and typically making fun of) the country's position.  Only the German and Austro-Hungarian Empires are shown in a positive light, with their majestic queens at the helm surrounded by abundant weaponry and superior armies, accompanied by the verse "Deutschland Ostreich uber alles - alles andre hat den Dalles" (Germany and Austria above all - all others are "on the rocks").  

 

 

WWII

 

"South America Under the Axis or the Heil with the Monroe Doctrine" by John Groth, 1938

This satirical map denounces the infiltration of the Axis powers in South America just prior to the outbreak of WWII.  Images of German, Italian and Japanese salesmen and military forces appear throughout the continent.  Looming in the skies above are forceful winds created by "Adolf the Enforcer, Benito the Black Bomber and 'Gentleman' Hirota, the Yellow Kid."  Drawn by John Groth and published in the second issue of Ken Magazine (21 April 1938), a controversial anti-fascist magazine.

 

"A Map of Herr Hitler's Heaven, Drawn with Undiplomatic but Fervent Hopes That It Won't Happen Here" by Richard Q Yardley, 1938

This cartoon map of pre-war Nazi Germany shows the ideal place for Hitler with a book-burning festival, a "factory devoted exclusively to making medals for Goering," concentration camps, and a Nazi soldier pushing a large Viking figure up a hill as "the New Theology."  An Austrian maiden is chained by the foot with a note that it is "purely a cultural tie."  The compass rose carries a swastika, and a large cloud over Germany is named "Herr Goebbels" and blows propaganda (or "more baloney") at the country.  Drawn by Richard Q Yardley and published in the second issue of Ken Magazine (21 April 1938), a controversial anti-fascist magazine.

 

 

A Few Lighter Topics

 

"Geographical Guide to a Man's Heart [and] Woman's Heart" by Jo Lowrey, 1960

This matching pair of "geographical guides" depict a man's and a woman's heart, illuminating the social awareness of the time of the differences between the sexes with regards to love and relationships.  The stark difference between the two begins even within the subtitles, with a man's described by "obstacles" and the woman's described as "romantic." The male heart is divided into regions such as State of Solid Comfort, State of Superiority, Country of Freewheelingand Area of Appetite, while the female heart includes Love of Love Land, Country of Conversation, State of Security, and Party Girl Province.

 

"A Map of the World (As Seen by Him)" by James Montgomery Flagg, 1905

This fascinating optical illusion appeared on the cover of Life Magazine.  The map depicts Europe, Africa, and mainland Asia as the coiffure of an apparent Gibson Girl, the personification of American beauty as illustrated by artist Charles Dana Gibson at the turn of the 20th century.  By superimposing an American female figure on top of the eastern hemisphere, these distant lands cease to be so dark and foreign, but rather conjure the alluring mystique of a Gibson Girl.  

 

"A Friendship Map" by Friendship Press, 1956

This pictorial map of the United States was designed to promote peace and tolerance of people from diverse backgrounds.  It shows the United States as a melting pot of numerous races, religions and ethnicities and includes the quote: "That in our Freedom others may be free!"

 

"Chicago's Gangland" by Frederic M. Thrasher, 1927

This detailed bird's-eye plan of Chicago was created by Frederic M. Thrasher to illustrate the nature of gang activity in the city.  The names of many gangs are identified, along with notations on some of the interrelationships between rival gangs.  Concentrations of various ethnic and religious groups are also noted on the map. 

 

Rare Book Monthly

  • DOYLE
    Rare Books, Autographs & Maps
    July 23, 2025
    DOYLE, July 23: WALL, BERNHARDT. Greenwich Village. Types, Tenements & Temples. Estimate $300-500
    DOYLE, July 23: STOKES, I. N. PHELPS. The Iconography of Manhattan Island, 1498-1909. New York: Robert H. Dodd, 1915-28. Estimate: $3,000-5,000
    DOYLE, July 23: [AUTOGRAPH - US PRESIDENT]FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT. A signed photograph of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Estimate $500-800
    DOYLE, July 23: [ARION PRESS]. ABBOTT, EDWIN A. Flatland. A Romance of Many Dimensions. San Francisco, 1980. Estimate $2,000-3,000.
    DOYLE, July 23: TOLSTOY, LYOF N. and NATHAN HASKELL DOLE, translator. Anna Karénina ... in eight parts. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell & Co., [1886]. Estimate: $400-600
    DOYLE, July 23: ROWLING, J.K. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. London: Bloomsbury, 2000. Estimate $1,200-1,800
  • Freeman’s | Hindman
    Western Manuscripts and Miniatures
    July 8, 2025
    Freeman’s | Hindman, July 8. FRANCESCO PETRARCH (b. Arezzo, 20 July 1304; d. Arqua Petrarca, 19 July 1374). $20,000-30,000.
    Freeman’s | Hindman, July 8. CIRCLE OF THE MASTER OF THE VITAE IMPERATORUM (active Milan, 1431-1459). $15,000-20,000.
    Freeman’s | Hindman, July 8. CIRCLE OF ATTAVANTE DEGLI ATTAVANTI (GABRIELLO DI VANTE) (active Florence, c. 1452-c. 1520/25). $15,000-20,000.
    Freeman’s | Hindman, July 8. FOLLOWER OF HERMAN SCHEERE (active London, c. 1405-1425). $15,000-20,000.
    Freeman’s | Hindman, July 8. An exceptionally rare, illuminated music leaf from a Mozarabic Antiphonal with sister leaves mostly in museum collections. $11,500-14,000.
    Freeman’s | Hindman, July 8. Exceptional leaf from a prestigious Antiphonary by a leading illuminator of the late Duecento. $11,500-14,000.
    Freeman’s | Hindman, July 8. CIRCLE OF THE MASTER OF MS REID 33 and SELWERD ABBEY SCRIPTORIUM (AGNES MARTINI?) (active The Netherlands, Groningen, c. 1468-1510). $10,000-15,000.
    Freeman’s | Hindman, July 8. Previously unknown illumination from one of the most renowned Gothic Choir Book sets of the Middle Ages. $6,000-8,000.
  • Forum Auctions
    Fine Books, Manuscripts and Works on Paper
    17th July 2025
    Forum, July 17: Lucianus Samosatensis. Dialogoi, editio princeps, second issue, Florence, Laurentius Francisci de Alopa, 1496. £10,000 to £15,000.
    Forum, July 17: Boccaccio (Giovanni). Il Decamerone, Florence, Philippo di Giunta, 1516. £10,000 to £15,000.
    Forum, July 17: Henry VII (King) & Philip the Fair (Duke of Burgundy). [Intercursus Magnus], [Commercial and Political Treaty between Henry VII and Philip Duke of Burgundy], manuscript copy in Latin, original vellum, 1499. £8,000 to £12,000.
    Forum, July 17: Bible, English. The Holy Bible, Conteyning the Old Testament, and the New, Robert Barker, 1613. £4,000 to £6,000.
    Forum, July 17: Bond (Michael). A Bear Called Paddington, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author, 1958. £4,000 to £6,000.
    Forum Auctions
    Fine Books, Manuscripts and Works on Paper
    17th July 2025
    Forum, July 17: Yeats (William Butler). The Secret Rose, first edition, with extensive autograph corrections, additions and amendments by the author for a new edition, 1897. £6,000 to £8,000.
    Forum, July 17: Byron (George Gordon Noel, Lord). Childe Harold's Pilgrimage, bound in dark green morocco elaborately tooled in gilt and with 3 watercolours to fore-edge, by Fazakerley of Liverpool, 1841. £4,000 to £6,000.
    Forum, July 17: Miró (Juan), Wassily Kandinsky, John Buckland-Wright, Stanley William Hayter and others.- Spender (Stephen). Fraternity, one of 101 copies, with signed engravings by 9 artists. £6,000 to £8,000.
    Forum, July 17: Sowerby (George Brettingham). Album comprising 22 leaves of original watercolour drawings of fossil remains of Cheltenham and Vicinity, [c.1840]. £6,000 to £8,000.
    Forum, July 17: Mathematics.- Blue paper copy.- Euclid. De gli Elementi, Urbino, Appresso Domenico Frisolino, 1575. £12,000 to £18,000.
  • Sotheby’s
    Books, Manuscripts and Music from Medieval to Modern
    Now through July 10, 2025
    Sotheby’s, Ending July 10: Book of Hours by the Masters of Otto van Moerdrecht, Use of Sarum, in Latin, Southern Netherlands (Bruges), c.1450. £20,000 to £30,000.
    Sotheby’s, Ending July 10: Albert Einstein. Autograph letter signed, to Attilio Palatino, on his research into General Relativity, 12 May 1929. £12,000 to £18,000.
    Sotheby’s, Ending July 10: John Gould. The Birds of Europe, [1832-] 1837, 5 volumes, contemporary half morocco, subscriber’s copy. £40,000 to £60,000.
    Sotheby’s
    Books, Manuscripts and Music from Medieval to Modern
    Now through July 10, 2025
    Sotheby’s, Ending July 10: Ian Fleming. A collection of James Bond first editions, 8 volumes in all. £8,000 to £12,000.
    Sotheby’s, Ending July 10: J.K. Rowling. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, 1997, first edition, hardback issue. £50,000 to £70,000.
    Sotheby’s, Ending July 10: J.R.R. Tolkien. Autograph letter signed, to Amy Ronald, on Pauline Baynes's map of Middle Earth, 1970. £7,000 to £10,000.
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