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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Better the Pigeon on the Roof...
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

Better the Pigeon on the Roof...

Artifact ID1970.2.102 (GG)
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. A man (identifiable as Mao Tse-tung) sits at a table while being waited on by another man (identifiable as Ludwig Erhard) while LBJ stands in the background. Two birds, one of which has the face of a man, sit on the telephone wire. Another bird sits on the roof of the house behind them. A small piece of paper “7.III.64.(TA)” adhered to lower right. Caption: “Lieber die Taube auf dem Dach als den ‘Spatz im Teller’? [Better the Pigeon on the Roof than the Sparrow on the Plate?]”. Additional text at lower right: “Zeichnung [Drawing]: Albert Altorfer.
Historical NoteDuring the 1960s, China supported revolutionary groups around the world against colonial and conservative governments. This made the United States government nervous about Domino Theory and the Sino-Soviet split created tensions between the Soviet Union and China.
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
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 Ludwig Erhard (Germany, 1897 - 1977)
Person Referenced Mao Tse-tung (China, 1893 - 1976)
Person Referenced Lyndon Baines Johnson (United States, 1908 - 1973)
Not on view
Subjects