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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Oh, My Aching Back!
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

Oh, My Aching Back!

Artifact ID1973.1.1402
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Artist (United States)
Gifter
Date ca. March 1968
Medium Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 20 in x W 14 1/4 in (50.8 cm x 36.2 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. A donkey stands with his back split by a hatchet holding a message "Stop the Butchery. Doves". A small character holds a sign (“Over here”). Caption: “Oh, My Aching Back!”. Additional text at lower center: “March 28, 1968 The Boston Herald-Traveler”. Artist signature lower right: "Dobbins."
Inscriptions and Markings"To: President Johnson with aHandwritten at lower center: "To: President Johnson with a smile from Jim". Handwritten at lower left: [blue] “Op Ed page”. Handwritten at lower center: [blue] “102 lines Thurs a.m.”. Handwritten at lower right: [blue] “March 28 - 68”. Handwritten at lower right: [strikethrough in red] “52”. Handwritten at lower right: [red] “V2”.
Historical NotePro-war “hawks” supported escalating the war to stop the spread of Communism in Southeast Asia. Pro-war figures believed that the war could be won if the United States had enough public support. Anti-war “doves” included both people who opposed the war ideologically, considering it to be unjust, and people who just believed the war was unwinnable. The number of doves increased over the course of the war. Support versus opposition to the Vietnam War did not fall along party lines, and there were Democrats and Republicans on both sides. In 1968, when Hubert Humphrey ran for president, his association with Lyndon Johnson and the Vietnam War split the Democratic Party and many Democrats supported anti-war candidates such as New York Senator Robert F. Kennedy and Minnesota Senator Eugene McCarthy.
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.
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Place of Publication
Boston
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