
Description
[Untitled Satirical Map of Cold War Europe]. David Low’s untitled 1952 serio-comic map captures Europe at a moment of intense Cold War anxiety. Britain appears as a gaunt figure tightening his belt, exhausted by post-war austerity, while Ireland and Ulster face one another as quarrelling cats. France and the Benelux countries, representing the newly formed NATO, brace themselves behind a wall of soldiers, with a hunched French strategist poring over Plans or Treaties. Spain—Franco—is shown fishing for American favour and dollars, with Portugal a quiet appendage to its side. Italy’s muscular body is hobbled by the Catholic Church, its legs lassoed by clerical authority, reflecting the country’s internal struggles. Germany, straddling both blocs, is depicted sawing off its own eastern leg in a desperate attempt to escape Soviet control, capturing the pain of partition. In Scandinavia, Norway and Sweden huddle nervously while Finland strains to pull itself free from Stalin’s grasp. Greece and Turkey—both newly admitted to NATO—face the Soviet giant defiantly, with Turkey blocking the Bosphorus, the straits locked and the keys hidden behind its back to prevent Soviet access to the Mediterranean. All of Eastern Europe has disappeared beneath a metallic Iron Curtain blown from the enormous, looming face of Stalin, whose oppressive presence overshadows the continent. Yugoslavia stands apart as Tito waves a defiant gesture toward Moscow, while neutral Switzerland sits serenely as a dove. The map offers a vivid, humorous, and sharply anxious portrait of a divided and vulnerable Europe confronting the overbearing weight of Soviet power in the early Cold War period. by Low, David. Published 24th May 1952 [dated]. Untitled serio-comic map of Europe. Size 33 x 51 cm | 13.0 x 20.0 inches. Condition: Good; suitable for framing. Neat minor repairs to staple holes along fold. Please check the scan for any blemishes prior to making your purchase. Please contact us if you would like to arrange to view this map. This is a folding map. There is text and images printed on the reverse side. Tags: 1952, Europe, Low David Alexander Cecil, Map, Satirical maps, The Picture Post
Reserve: $570.00
Shipping:Domestic: Flat-rate of $55.00 to anywhere within the contiguous U.S. International: Foreign shipping rates are determined by destination. International shipping may be subject to VAT. Combined shipping: Please ask about combined shipping for multiple lots before bidding. Location: This item ships from United Kingdom
Your purchase is protected:
In the rare event that the item did not conform to the lot description in the sale, Chairish Auctions specialists are here to help. Buyers may return the item for a full refund provided you notify Chairish Auctions within 5 days of receiving the item.
Reserve: $570.00
Shipping:
Your purchase is protected:
In the rare event that the item did not conform to the lot description in the sale, Chairish Auctions specialists are here to help. Buyers may return the item for a full refund provided you notify Chairish Auctions within 5 days of receiving the item.
Buyer's Premium
20%
Serio-comic Satirical Map of Cold War Europe by David Low. Picture Post 1952
Estimate $700-$800
Starting Price
$340
1 bidder is watching this item
LiveAuctioneers Purchase Protection
Vetted auction houses
Secure, online bidding
Returns guaranteed for misrepresented listings
Dedicated support when you need it
Antique Maps of Europe
Mar 06, 2026 6:00 PM ESTNew York, NY, United States
TOP

![Pas caert van ’t in komen van de Canael… English Channel by H. Doncker 1661 map: Pas caert van ’t in komen van de Canael, hoe men die zal aan doen als men uit de west komt [Sea chart of how to enter the Channel, and how one should approach it when coming from the west]. A](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/5584/409460/227552825_1_x.jpg?height=181&quality=70&sharpen=true&version=1772821610&width=181)


![Stadtplan von London. Blatt NW. Nazi Mil.-Geo. Sealion invasion map. July 1940: Stadtplan von London - Blatt NW [London city plan - northwest sheet]. A German military intelligence map produced during the early planning for Operation Seelöwe (Sea Lion), the intended Nazi](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/5584/409460/227552828_1_x.jpg?height=181&quality=70&sharpen=true&version=1772821610&width=181)
![Stadtplan von London. Blatt NO. Nazi Mil.-Geo. Sealion invasion map. July 1940: Stadtplan von London - Blatt NO [London city plan - northeast sheet]. A German military intelligence map produced during the early planning for Operation Seelöwe (Sea Lion), the intended Nazi](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/5584/409460/227552829_1_x.jpg?height=181&quality=70&sharpen=true&version=1772821610&width=181)
![Stadtplan von London. Blatt SO. Nazi Mil.-Geo. Sealion invasion map. July 1940: Stadtplan von London - Blatt SO [London city plan - southeast sheet]. A German military intelligence map produced during the early planning for Operation Seelöwe (Sea Lion), the intended Nazi](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/5584/409460/227552830_1_x.jpg?height=181&quality=70&sharpen=true&version=1772821610&width=181)
![Stadtplan von London. Blatt SW. Nazi Mil.-Geo. Sealion invasion map. July 1940: Stadtplan von London - Blatt SW [London city plan - southwest sheet]. A German military intelligence map produced during the early planning for Operation Seelöwe (Sea Lion), the intended Nazi](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/5584/409460/227552831_1_x.jpg?height=181&quality=70&sharpen=true&version=1772821610&width=181)
![Verkehrsplan von London. Nazi Mil-Geo Sealion invasion transport map. Aug 1940: Verkehrsplan von London [Transport plan of London]. A German military intelligence map produced during the planning for Operation Seelöwe (Sea Lion), the intended Nazi invasion of England,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/5584/409460/227552832_1_x.jpg?height=181&quality=70&sharpen=true&version=1772821610&width=181)
![United Invasion of Manchester Street artist Invader Map 13 mosaic locations 2004: United Invasion of Manchester [Map 13]. Invader (French street artist). Published June 2004. A colour folding city plan showing the locations of all the mosaic street artworks installed by the artist](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/5584/409460/227552833_1_x.jpg?height=181&quality=70&sharpen=true&version=1772821610&width=181)



![Map of Dublin [for] Sinn Fein Rebellion Handbook. 1916 Easter Rising 1917: Map of Dublin Specially Drawn for Third Edition Sinn Fein Rebellion Handbook compiled by the Irish Times'. An antique colour city plan of Dublin, offered together with the accompanying 286-page Sinn F](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/5584/409460/227552846_1_x.jpg?height=181&quality=70&sharpen=true&version=1772821610&width=181)






![Civitatis Badenisis Helveticae… Baden in Switzerland. SEBASTIAN MÜNSTER 1572 map: Designatio civitatis Badenisis Helveticae, una cum oppidulo thermarum [The city of Baden in Switzerland, together with the spa town]. Sebastian Münster / CS (Christoph Stimmer)/DK (David Kandel).](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/5584/409460/227552285_1_x.jpg?height=181&quality=70&sharpen=true&version=1772821610&width=181)




![Accuratissima Angliae Scotiae et Hiberniae. British Isles by Seutter c1744 map: Accuratissima Angliae Scotiae et Hiberniae Tab. Demio in lucem edita a Matthaeo Seuttero S.C.M. Geogr. Aug. Vind. C. Pr. S.R.I. Vicariat. [Most accurate map of England, Scotland, and Ireland]. Antique](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/5584/409460/227552759_1_x.jpg?height=181&quality=70&sharpen=true&version=1772821610&width=181)




