[Dr. Seuss] This Is Ann….. She Drinks Blood!

$1,450

Cartographer(s): Newsmap, Theodor Seuss Geisel
Date: 1943
Place: Washington, D.C.
Dimensions: 116.5 x 89 cm (46 x 35 in)
Condition Rating: VG+

In stock

SKU: NL-01354 Categories: , Tag:

Discover Dr. Seuss’s unique wartime creation: an engaging map that combines his iconic illustrations with life-saving information on malaria prevention for soldiers.

Details

“This is Ann” features the character “Ann” – an anthropomorphized anopheles mosquito – portrayed as a menacing figure to represent the danger she poses. Dr. Seuss’s signature style is evident in the illustrations, where Ann is depicted as a sly, sneaky character, accompanied by rhyming text that details her life cycle, habits, and the threat of the malaria she can spread.

This work was a part of Dr. Seuss’s broader contribution to the war effort, which also included other informational materials and political cartoons. The overall design was both engaging and educative, with the aim of instilling in soldiers the importance of taking precautions against malaria. Dr. Seuss used his unique style to turn what might have been a mundane information pamphlet into something memorable and impactful.

The verso highlights events from October 28 to November 4, 1943, detailing wartime activities in Russia, Italy, the Southwest Pacific, and Burma. Included are maps of Europe, Crimea, and the Solomon Islands, accompanied by photographs of American and British military personnel and aircraft.

Cartographer(s):

Newsmap

Newsmap was a large, two-sided poster issued to the American military during World War II. It was designed to inform and boost the morale of the troops. It wasn’t a map in the traditional sense, though it often used maps as part of its layout. Instead, the Newsmap presented an assortment of news, photographs, maps, and graphics detailing the current state of the war and other related topics. The information was curated to provide soldiers with a broad overview of recent events both on the home front and in various theaters of war.

Produced by the Special Service Division of the U.S. War Department, the Newsmap was distributed weekly from 1942 to 1946. Each edition was tailored to the particular location and audience it was intended for, with different versions created for troops stationed domestically, abroad, and in specific theaters of operation.

The visual-heavy design of Newsmap made it easily digestible, and its format allowed it to be pinned up in barracks, hung in common areas, or spread out for group viewing. Through this medium, troops were kept informed about the broader context of the war they were fighting, reinforcing unity and purpose among the servicemen.

Theodor Seuss Geisel

Dr. Seuss, whose real name was Theodor Seuss Geisel, was born on March 2, 1904, in Springfield, Massachusetts, and became one of the most celebrated children’s authors of all time. Best known for his imaginative and quirky tales, his iconic characters, and his rhyming prose, Geisel penned classics like “The Cat in the Hat,” “Green Eggs and Ham,” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!”

During World War II, Dr. Seuss worked for the U.S. government, particularly with the First Motion Picture Unit of the U.S. Army Air Forces and the Information and Education Division of the U.S. Army Signal Corps. He created a series of pamphlets and films aimed at educating soldiers and the public about various war-related topics.

Condition Description

Very good. Small tear at right-center.

References

PJ Mode #2214.

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