Erster Deutscher Kriegsbilder-Bogen [First German Illustrated War Sheet]

whole: the six images occupy the majority, each held within a narrow black border. The title is separate and positioned along the top edge, in black gothic script. The text is separate and positioned along the top edge, across the centre section and along the bottom edge, in black gothic script. All held within a red and black border and set against a white background. image: the first image is of a man bent over, clutching a large globe. The second image depicts Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife driving in a car towards a group of military figures. The third image depicts Tsar Nicholas II enthroned, with a Russian soldier firing an artillery gun by his side. A prison with a crowd of people outside of it is in the background. The fourth image depicts a pack of wolves, who wear red caps, running towards a group of young children. A man holds a stick, ready to defend the children. The fifth image is of John Bull sitting atop a harbour wall, holding the gates open with his outstretched feet, so as to allow a fleet of ships to pass through. The sixth image is of a farm worker in a field, who rests his scythe against a wheat sheaf. text: 'Und wenn die Welt voll Teufel Erster Deutscher Kriegsbilder-Bogen wär' Seht her! John Bull, der gier'ge Krämer möchte Den ganzen Erdball überschlucken, und tückisch sinnt er drauf, Wie er zu Fall den deutschen Konkurrenten brächte, Um zu zertreten deutscher Arbeit Siegeslauf. Es schloss ein Bündnis ränkevoll der liebe Vetter Mit seinem alten Feind, dem Russen und Franzos. Er denkt, die schleb ich vor, bricht los das Wetter, Die sollen Deutschland hauen in den Kloss. Die drei nun fingen an ein helmlich Rüsten Und machten sich zugleich als Friedensfreunde breit. Sie glaubten so den Deutschen frech zu überlisten Und suchten ruchvoll einen Grund zum Streit. Du haben sie den kleinen Serben vorgeschoben. Hier seht Ihr deutlich, wie es war, Wer eigentlich zum Meuchelmord die Hand erhoben Und hinterm Busche streckte, ist jetzt klar. GEFAENGNIS Sibirien Was tat der Zar, als nun die feige Tat gelungen? Er sprach zu Österreich drohend hingewandt, Lass ja in Ruh, die Serben, diese braven Jungen, Und breitet schüssend vor die Mörder seine Hand. Sodann schickt er gen Deutschland seine Horden Und schwört zugleich, es sei nicht war. Die fallen ein und rauben, plündern, morden, Bis treulos noch vom Frieden spricht der Zar. Die rachegierige Scher der Wölfe hinter den Vogesen, Kaum hörte sie von Russenbärs Gebrumm den Schall, Da brach hervor sie ohne Federlesen In friedlich Land zu Mord und Überfall. Den deutschen Michel aber seht Ihr biegen um die Ecken, Er wacht, lässt seine Kinder nicht in Not. Schon kommt er an mit seinem grossen Stecken Und schlägt die welsche Bande tot. Als nun die Freunde ganz nach Wunsch es taten machen, Da hielt John Bull die Deutschen schon für hin. Er reibt die feisten Hände sich mit Lachen, Berechnet schon im Voraus den Gewinn. Es packt der tolle Übermut ihn bei den Ohren. Er öffnet seiner Häfen Tore schnell Und meint, die deutsche Flotte sei verloren. Old England, juckt dich denn so sehr dein Fell? Was tut der Deutsche, als von allen Enden Der Feind ihn bei der Arbeit überfällt? Er stellt gelassen seine Sense aus den Händen, Denn ausser Gott, da fürcht' er nichts auf dieser Welt. Er streift sich schnell die Ärmel höher Und haut auf seine Feinde ein, Und glaubt es fest, er ruht nicht eher, Bis dass der lesste Sieg ist sein. Bilderbogenverlag, Leipzig, Centralstrasse 7-9. Mit Genehmigung der Pressabteilung des Kgl. Sächs. Kriegsministeriums. herausgegeben und gezeichnet von Rich. Ifferte und R. Bolbe ['And if the world were full of the Devil. First German Illustrated War Sheet. See here! John Bull, the greedy grocer wants to swallow the entire globe, and deviously he imagines how he will bring about the collapse of his German competitors, in order to break underfoot the victory march of German labour. The dear cousin entered into a cabal with his old enemy, the Russian and the French. He thinks, I'll push them forward, if the storm breaks, they should hit Germany in the loaf. The three started arming secretly and at the same time put themselves about as friends of peace. They thought to outwit the German thus insolently and looked disreputably for a cause for a fight. So then they pushed the little Serbian forward. Here you see clearly how it was, who really raised his hand for the treacherous murder and hid behind the bush, is now clear. Prison. Siberia. What did the Tsar do once the cowardly deed succeeded? He spoke threateningly to Austria, leave the Serbs in peace, these good boys, and spread his hand protectively before the murderers. Then he sent his hordes against Germany and at the same time swore it wasn't true. They broke in and robbed, plundered, murdered, whilst the Tsar still speaks mendaciously about peace. The vengeance-seeking band of wolves behind the Vosges hills, as soon as they heard the echo of the Russian bear's snarling, emerged without further ado to do murder and assault in a peaceful land. But you can see the German Michel he wakes, does not leave his children in trouble. Already he comes along with his great [unclear] and beats the dubious gang dead. Now when the friends have done it exactly as they wanted, John Bull believed the German was already done for. He rubbed his gross hands with glee, already calculating the profit in advance. He is completely overcome by high spirits. Quickly he opens the gates of his ports and thinks the German fleet is lost. Old England, does your fur really itch so much? What does the German do, when from all sides the enemy attacks him at his work? Calmly he puts down his scythe from his hands, since other than God, he fears nothing in this world. Quickly he rolls up his sleeves and beats down on his enemies, and is firm in his resolution not to rest until the last victory is his. Bilderbogen [Illustrated Sheet] Publishers, Leipzig [address]. With permission of the Press Department of the Royal Saxony Ministry of War. Issued and drawn by Rich. Ifferte and R. Bolbe.]

The character of Michel is used to represent the typical ordinary German.

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16942 18.12.15