Britain rolls up its sleeves ready for the fight

By AMSCHEWITZ, John Henry, 1914

European Revue. Kill That Eagle.

Europe Continent of Europe

Author: AMSCHEWITZ, John Henry
Publication place: London
Publisher: Produced by “Geographia” Ltd. 55 Fleet Str.
Publication date: 1914
Physical description: Chromolithograph map, folding into original pink paper covers with publisher’s label, a few tears to old folds skilfully repaired.
Dimensions: 500 by 720mm. (19.75 by 28.25 inches).
Inventory reference: 3043

Notes

Great Britain is personified by John Bull rolling up his sleeves and brandishing a cutlass; troops from Canada, Australia, India and Ireland are shown to his left, with the phrase “Business as Usual” written across England. To the continent Germany is represented as a swooping eagle, whose talon has grasped the French Marianne’s bayonet. Austria the clown has been knocked off his ass by the German eagle, his right hand is being stung by a Bosnian bee, and bitten by a Serbian dog, whilst the Russian Bear, aided by some charging cossacks, grabs the clown’s right foot and a German talon. The rest of the Balkans and Greece get ready to fight a reluctant Ottoman Empire, who is being pushed into war by an eager Germany. Spain and Scandinavia look on, whilst Italy sings a popular song “You made me love you. I didn’t want to do it”, in reference to her involvement in the Triple Alliance with Austria and Germany. At the time of the map she was neutral; a year later she would side with Britain, France, and Russia against their pre-war allies.

John Henry Amschewitz (1882–1942) an English painter, draftsman and caricaturist who worked in both England and South Africa.