Jun 07, 2018 - Sale 2481

Sale 2481 - Lot 34

Price Realized: $ 2,000
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 1,500 - $ 2,500
(CARICATURE MAP.) Humor Reproach Candition Map of Europa and Asia. Color-lithographed serio-comic map of Europe and Asia lettered in Japanese and English. 15 1/2x21 1/2 inches sheet size, ample margins; folded in quadrants with small loss at central intersection, small closed edge tears. Japan, 1904

Additional Details

Serio-comic maps of this period were a popular medium to convey the encroachment of the Russian Empire in a humorous and satirical way. A more common form of these maps depicts Russia as a giant octopus with its tentacles reaching out to adjoining countries, however in this rather unique example, Russia is represented as a large tree, expanding its ensnaring roots to the territories beyond. Designed during the time of the Russo-Japanese War, we see many countries wielding axes or knives against Russia, but Japan is actively engaged, chopping at the branch to free Korea; China turns and wags his tongue as the eyes of the giant tree gaze in their direction, wet with tears.