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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
On the Desk of the President . . .
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

On the Desk of the President . . .

Artifact ID1970.2.102 (FF)
Object Type Cartoon Clipping
Date ca. March 1964
Medium Paper
DimensionsOverall H 11 5/8 in x W 8 1/4 in (29.5 cm x 21 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionPrint reproduction of cartoon drawing. German clipping. At his desk, LBJ looks at one box (“Zur Bearbeitung [For Processing]”). Inside the box are thirteen men (“Mao”, “Sihanduk”, “Ulbricht”, a man identifiable as Nikita Khrushchev, “Suk”, a man identifiable as Charles de Gaulle, “Civil Rights”, “Viet Cong”, “Panama”, a man identifiable as Fidel Castro, a man identifiable as Makarios III, and “KKK”), an elephant (G.O.P.), and a bomb. Another box (“Erledigt [Completed]”) on his desk has only one paper (“Steuer-Senkung [Tax Cut]”) in it. done. A small piece of paper “6.III.64.(W)” adhered to lower right. Caption: “Auf dem Schreibtisch des Präsidenten… [On the Desk of the President…]”. Artist signature lower left: “F. Behrendt”.
Historical NoteDuring the Johnson administration and general postwar era, much foreign policy was dictated by the Cold War, the rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union for political influence amidst decolonization, associated with proxy wars, ideological struggles, the nuclear arms race, and the space race. While most issues in this cartoon are foreign policy-related, Johnson must also resolve civil rights issues, fight against the KKK, and compete with the Republican Party.
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 Nikita Khrushchev (Soviet Union, 1894 - 1971)
Person Referenced Lyndon Baines Johnson (United States, 1908 - 1973)
Person Referenced Charles de Gaulle (France, 1890 - 1970)
Person Referenced Mao Tse-tung (China, 1893 - 1976)
Person Referenced Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam, 1890 - 1969)
Person Referenced Fidel Castro (Cuba, 1926 - 2016)
Person Referenced Walter Ulbricht (Germany, 1893 - 1973)
Person Referenced Sihanouk (Cambodia, 1922 - 2012)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Place Described
Panama
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