![F.W. Rose, Serio-Comic War Map for the Year 1877, revised edition, [1877]](https://lycanthiabooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/88562_2.jpg)
Rose (F[rederick] W[illiam]) Serio-Comic War Map for the Year 1877.
£1,250
Revised Edition
London, G.W. Bacon, [?1877].
Colour lithographic allegorical map, with printed explanation to lower right in English only; 570 x 430 mm., backed onto card.
The first slightly revised edition of Rose’s famous ‘Octopus’ map of Europe, first published in 1877 – the map was rapidly reissued for distribution in other countries, reflected in the imprint and the language of the attendant description. Rose is best known for two such political cartoon maps of Europe, this one and Angling in Troubled Waters (1899). Most of his maps were published as broadsheets and separate folding publications on relatively thin paper, and as a result rarely appear in particularly good condition.
Russia sprawls across the continent as a monstrous octopus, tentacles tightening around Finland, Poland, Bulgaria, the Crimea and Persia. Turkey, a turbaned figure lying across the Bosphorus, keeps his pistol drawn to guard the gold watch at his waist – Constantinople – while Greece pinches at his elbow. Germany bristles with weapons, France takes aim across the Rhine, Italy dances in her new freedom and Spain sleeps. Britain looks on from the sidelines, umbrella and claymore in hand, determined at least to save the Turk’s watch.
In stock
Some marking and patches of light oxidising, old folds, the map has benefited from some paper restoriation to protect existing closed tears in margins and a few small areas of damage in the pictorial area.
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