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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
A Squirt of Oil Here--A Squirt of Oil There--
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

A Squirt of Oil Here--A Squirt of Oil There--

Artifact ID1973.1.148
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Publisher ()
Date ca. March 1968
Medium Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 17 1/8 in x W 14 1/4 in (43.5 cm x 36.2 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. LBJ sits at the controls of a giant machine ("Control of Party Machinery"), randomly squirting with a giant oil can. On the floor is a newspaper ("Sen McCarthy…The Kennedys and Dissident Demos"). Caption: “A Squirt of Oil Here--A Squirt of Oil There–”. Additional text at lower right: “New Orleans Times-Picayune Mar. 3, 1968”. Artist signature lower left: "Pletcher”.
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower left: "For President Lyndon B. Johnson, with all good wishes-Eldon Pletcher".
Historical NotePresident Johnson was up for his second term during the 1968 election, but he would later withdraw from the race on March 31, 1968. New York Senator Robert F. Kennedy ran for president in 1968 as a Democrat with an anti-war platform until his assassination in June 1968. Minnesota Senator Eugene McCarthy ran for president in 1968 during the Democratic primaries as an antiwar candidate.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteThe item was a gift from the general public to President Johnson during his term in office. It was received by President Johnson, until the President donated it to the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum in 1973.
Credit LineGift of Lyndon Baines Johnson
National Archives Catalog CollectionLyndon B. Johnson Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 192413)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from the General Public (National Archives Identifier 189698395)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Fully
Use Restriction NoteCopyright or other proprietary rights are held by individuals or entities other than the LBJ Presidential Library and Museum. The LBJ Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.
Person Referenced Lyndon Baines Johnson (American, 1908 - 1973)
Person Referenced Robert F. Kennedy (American, 1925 - 1968)
Person Referenced Eugene J. McCarthy (American, 1916 - 2005)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Place Made
New Orleans
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