The Old Print Shop

It Is Ever Thus With Arbitrators. "Turkey, Turkey, Every Where, And Not A Bit For Us?"

  • ARTIST: Thomas Nast

  • PUBLISHER: Published by Harper's Weekly. July 27, 1878.

  • MEDIUM: Wood engraving,

    DATE: 1878.

  • EDITION SIZE: Image size 10 13/16 x 9 1/8" (26.9 x 23.2 cm).

  • DESCRIPTION: This cartoon refers to the Congress of Berlin, which was formed in the wake of the Russo-Turkish War (1877-1878). Otto von Bismarck of Germany led the Congress in re-stabilizing the Balkans region. Borders and boundaries were changed and some countries even gained independence. Despite Bismarck's influence in the change, Germany laid no claims to the region, as noted in the title. He did, however, have to keep the "dogs" at bay - the countries that argued with one another. Even after the Treaty of Berlin was signed in July of 1878 bitterness and tension remained. <br><br> The artist, Thomas Nast, plays on a pun in this cartoon. Hanging on the wall to the left of Bismarck is a poster reading "New Map of Turkey. Simply This." It features a plate and the bare bone of "Contention." Turkey had lost much of its territory with the treaty.

  • ADDITIONAL INFO:

  • CONDITION: Overall good condition. Perforated library stamp in the right margin.

  • REFERENCE: