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This whimsical and allegorical chromolithographed map of Denmark is from Geographical Fun: Being Humourous Outlines of Various Countries, published by Hodder and Stoughton in circa 1868.

The map was drawn by Lilian (Eliza Jane) Lancaster, a young artist whose work was created to amuse her bedridden brother. The introduction and poetic verses accompanying the maps were written by William Henry 'Aleph' Harvey, a London doctor and journalist, known for his works aimed at educating children. The lithography was executed by Vincent Brooks, Day & Son, a well-known London printing firm. 

The map presents Denmark as a stern-faced woman, adorned with a feathered cap and fur-trimmed attire, likely referencing traditional Scandinavian dress. She appears distressed and weary, reinforcing the accompanying verse’s imagery of fainting on the snow and retreating from the "unclean beasts" below. Her outstretched arm and sorrowful expression might symbolize Denmark’s geopolitical struggles in the 19th century, particularly its loss of Schleswig and Holstein to Prussia in 1864 during the Second Schleswig War.

To the right, the islands of Zealand and Funen are transformed into grotesque faces, possibly alluding to the political and social upheaval Denmark faced at the time. The smaller islands take on varied forms, including animals and human figures, adding to the playful yet satirical tone of the map. The decorative coat of arms in the upper right corner reaffirms the subject matter, while the ornamental letter “E” in the upper left corner subtly reinforces England’s connection to Denmark, referencing Princess Alexandra of Denmark, who had married Edward, Prince of Wales (future Edward VII) in 1863. 

Beneath the map, the accompanying quatrain reads:

For Shakespeare’s Prince, and the Princess of Wales,
To England dear. Her royal spirit quails;
From skating faint, she rests upon the snow;
Shrinking from unclean beasts that grin below.

This verse references Princess Alexandra of Denmark, who became Princess of Wales in 1863 upon her marriage to Edward. The line "her royal spirit quails" suggests Denmark’s diminished power following its defeat in 1864, while "skating faint" could symbolize Alexandra’s delicate health or her challenges in adjusting to her role in England. The "unclean beasts" below may metaphorically represent Denmark’s adversaries, such as Prussia and Austria, or broader European tensions of the time. 

This map is part of a twelve-map series that humorously reimagines European countries as anthropomorphic figures, blending cartography, satire, and education. The project was intended to engage young students, making geography more visually accessible and entertaining. Other maps in the series depict England as Queen Victoria, Scotland as a Highland piper, Ireland as a mother with a baby, and France as an empress of fashion and dance.