If You Knows a Better 'Ole--
Artifact ID1973.1.1348
Object Type
Cartoon Drawing
Artist
Guernsey LePelley
(born 1910)
Publisher
Christian Science Monitor
()
Gifter
Guernsey LePelley
Date
ca. May 1967
Medium
Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 14 1/2 in x W 11 1/2 in (36.8 cm x 29.2 cm )
Physical DescriptionPhysical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. A man (“Sen. Dirksen”) speaks to a worried elephant (“GOP”) wearing a small helmet with whom he shares a foxhole ("Administration's Position on Vietnam"). Caption: “If You Knows a Better 'Ole–”. Artist signature lower right: "Le Pelley”.
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower right: “With credit to Bruce Bairnsfather -". Handwritten at lower right: “5/8/67” “a”.
Historical NoteIn August 1964, US ships were seemingly attacked in the Gulf of Tonkin, leading to the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution that allowed President Johnson to take military action. In February 1965, Johnson authorized Operation Rolling Thunder to bomb North Vietnam and in March, 3500 Marines were deployed in Vietnam. Over 1965, President Johnson escalated the conflict to a full-scale war and over 1967, there were 500,000 American troops in Vietnam. Pro-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. Everett Dirksen was a Republican senator from Illinois who was the Senate Minority Leader during Lyndon Johnson’s presidency and favored American involvement in Vietnam.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
Everett Dirksen
(United States, 1896 - 1969)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Place of Publication