Wonderful Wizardry of Washington
Artifact ID1966.64.245
Object Type
Cartoon Drawing
Artist
Reg Manning
(United States, 1905 - 1986)
Gifter
Reg Manning
Publisher
Arizona Republic
(founded 1870)
Date
ca. January 1966
Medium
Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 14 1/2 in x W 11 1/8 in (36.8 cm x 28.3 cm )
Physical DescriptionPhysical DescriptionOriginal three-frame cartoon drawing. Frame 1: LBJ with antennae on his head, points his finger as a magic arm appears, holding a man's wrist. Frame caption reads: "Moyers says LBJ has 'antenna' which feels public's pulse". Frame 2: A man (identifiable as Dean Rusk) with antennae on his head walks out of frame as a hand from behind a curtain sends out waves. Frame caption reads: "[Sec'y Rusk's 'antenna' can spot peace feelers at a glance] news item". Frame 3: A man with antennae on his head sends magic arms to pull money from another man's pocket. Frame caption reads: "- And theTreasury Dept has a feeling antenna, too". Caption reads: "Wonderful Wizardry of Washington". Artist signature lower center: "Reg Manning [cactus drawing]". Additional text at lower right: "McNaught Syndicate, Inc."
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at upper center: "To President Lyndon Johnson, with feeling, Reg Manning [cactus drawing] 3-31-66". Handwritten at lower left: "3 col". Stamped and handwritten at bottom center: "Jan 13 1966 Mailing".
Historical NoteLyndon Johnson was very involved with the media, but unlike Dwight Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy, he had less televised news conferences and more informal interviews. President Johnson paid close attention to the media as well and kept three televisions in the Oval Office. Bill Moyers was the White House Press Secretary from 1965-1967. Peace feelers are ways to tell if a war is going to end soon. Dean Rusk was the Secretary of State. When Lyndon B. Johnson signed the 1964 Revenue Act that decreased income taxes. He refused to raise taxes, spending by consumers and businesses increased. Along with government spending from the Vietnam War and Great Society, all of this increase of demand led to inflation. This got him into conflict with the Federal Reserve, whose chairman William McChesney Martin, raised the discount rate in December 1965. John Q Public is a character often included in political cartoons to depict the average citizen, often portrayed with glasses, a mustache, and a fedora.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
Dean Rusk
(United States, 1909 - 1994)
Person Referenced
Lyndon Baines Johnson
(United States, 1908 - 1973)
Person Referenced
Henry H. Fowler
(United States, 1908 - 2000)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Place of Publication