[Tightening the grip]. Book illustration from Library of Congress

A large bear hugs a Turkish man, who clasps a bloody dagger, in a tight grip.

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Signed, lower right: JT monogram / 1877.

Title from Punch.

Bequest and gift; Caroline and Erwin Swann; 1974; (DLC/PP-1974:232.637)

The published version was accompanied by a poem encouraging England to condemn the Turkish massacre of the Bulgarian Christians and to support the Russians in the Turkish-Russian war, in progress in the Balkan region. England in the past had been a close ally of Turkey. Around 1876, anti-Turkish sentiment increased among the English and in particular, among Liberals, as a result of alleged Turkish brutality towards the Bulgarians. Former Prime Minister Gladstone, himself a Liberal, made a published appeal to the government and general population in a pamphlet entitled, The Bulgarian Horrors and the Question of the East (1876). Conservative Prime Minister Disraeli, a staunch supporter of Turkey, was infuriated by Gladstone's effort to incite dissension and refused to change his policy. In a conference of world leaders held in Constantinople in December 1876, Turkey was pressured to make reforms in her treatment of the Bulgarians. The Turks refused and in early 1877, Russia declared war on Turkey. Disraeli's government continued to stand by the Turks, offering financial assistance which threatened and eventually wore out the tired Russian army. Here, Tenniel comments on the war between Russia and Turkey, with the bear a symbol of the Russians.

Published in: Punch, December 1, 1877.

russo turkish war bears fighting international relations great britain drawings british editorial cartoons periodical illustrations grip great waldingfield cartoon drawings swann collection of caricature and cartoon john tenniel rare books engraving benjamin disraeli 1st earl of beaconsfield prime minister monograms illumination of books and manuscripts library of congress

01/01/1877

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