Divided World: Its Great Camps, Areas of Conflict. Cold War propaganda map 1948

SKU: P-7-028099

'Divided World: Its Great Camps, Areas of Conflict'


Early Cold War thematic map illustrating the global division into Western and Eastern “spheres”, published in 1948 as part of Two Worlds Atlas by The Philadelphia Inquirer. The world is colour-coded to distinguish the Western bloc, the Soviet-dominated Eastern sphere, and a third category of “areas of conflict”, highlighting regions regarded at the time as ideologically unstable or strategically contested. Of particular interest is the inclusion of Italy, Finland and Korea as zones “in play”. Italy, emerging from Fascism and facing a powerful Communist Party during the pivotal elections of 1948, is presented as a potential fault line within Western Europe. Finland occupies a liminal position between East and West, reflecting its post-war neutrality and the delicate accommodation with the Soviet Union later described as “Finlandisation”. Korea, shown as a contested territory following its division at the 38th parallel in 1945, would within two years become the site of the Korean War (1950–53), confirming the map’s prescient identification of future flashpoints. The stark division of the world into large-scale ideological blocs echoes the geopolitical structure imagined in George Orwell’s 1984, published the same year. Combining cartography, statistics and overt political messaging, the map offers a revealing snapshot of American strategic thinking at the very outset of the Cold War, capturing both contemporary anxieties and the uncertain geography of ideological confrontation in 1948.

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Size 34 x 54 cm | 13.5 x 21.0 inches

Date Published: April 15th 1948

Type: Vintage colour propaganda info map

Author: Anderson

Publication: Two Worlds Atlas

"Two Worlds Atlas" section of the Philadelphia Inquirer

Condition: Good |

Good; suitable for framing. Please check the scan for any blemishes prior to making your purchase. This is a folding map. There is text and/or images printed on the reverse side

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We assess the condition of each item using three categories: Good, Fair, and Poor. We strive to ensure that any significant flaws are clearly shown in the images provided and detailed in the accompanying condition statement.

Good

The item presents well, with no significant flaws, and is in frameable condition. Minor imperfections—such as light spotting or offsetting, small blemishes, tight margins, neatly repaired tears, or discreet/professionally executed restoration—do not materially detract from its overall appearance.

Fair

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Poor

The item has major flaws that significantly impact its presentation and/or suitability for framing. These may include heavy spotting, staining, bleed-through, offsetting, unrepaired damage, or poorly executed repairs such as tears, holes, or areas of paper loss (including within the printed image). The item may also be fragile and prone to further deterioration.