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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Big Happy Family Again
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

Big Happy Family Again

Artifact ID1966.64.89
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Artist (United States)
Gifter
Publisher (1922 - 1966)
Date ca. February 1966
Medium Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 19 1/8 in x W 14 1/4 in (48.6 cm x 36.2 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. LBJ and RFK smile and pose together for a photographer in the hallway. Three donkeys stand on the staircase watching. In the foreground, many broken dishes ("Johnson-Kennedy Dispute") are scattered on the floor. A single cup in a cupboard ("Vietnam") is the only unbroken dish. Caption reads: "Big Happy Family Again". Artist signature lower right: "Dowling".
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at upper right: "To President Lyndon Johnson From Dan Dowling N.Y. Herald Tribune". Paper with print adhered at lower center: "Publishers Newspaper Syndicate, 1966". Handwritten at lower right: "2/28/66". Handwritten across bottom: "Trib Ed Page Daily [indecipherable] Syndicate 3 3/4" 5 1/" wide".
Historical NoteRobert F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson each represented a different side to the Democratic Party in the 1960s. Robert Kennedy was the Attorney General under his brother’s administration and became a New York senator during Johnson’s presidency. He disagreed with Johnson’s Vietnam policy and became a prominent war critic. In February 1966, his peace plan included a coalition government in South Vietnam that included the Viet Cong, although he publicly maintained that he did not dissent against Johnson’s policies.
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 personally, until the President donated it to the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum in 1970.
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 Robert F. Kennedy (United States, 1925 - 1968)
Person Referenced Lyndon Baines Johnson (United States, 1908 - 1973)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Place of Publication
New York
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