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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Checkmate
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

Checkmate

Artifact ID1973.1.853
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Artist (United States, 1923 - 1994)
Gifter
Date ca. October 1967
Medium Ink, grease pencil and applied shading on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 14 1/8 in x W 11 in (35.9 cm x 27.9 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. LBJ and another man ("Congress") are chess pieces on a board. LBJ (the King) holds a hammer ("Surtax") behind him. "Congress" (a knight) holds an axe ("Cut") behind his back. They glare and point to each other. Caption: “Checkmate”. Artist signature lower right: "Bob Stevens”. A small piece of paper “Copley Newspapers” adhered to lower right.
Inscriptions and MarkingsStamped at lower right: “Oct 1967”. Handwritten at lower right: “14”. Handwritten at lower right: [underline] “5 Negs” “50”.
Historical NoteWhen Lyndon B. Johnson signed the 1964 Revenue Act that decreased income taxes and 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. Raising taxes would decrease inflation. In January 1967, Johnson pushed for a 6% surcharge on income taxes. In August, this request increased to 10% and it was later passed in June 1968 as the Revenue and Expenditure Control Act of 1968.
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 Lyndon Baines Johnson (United States, 1908 - 1973)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Place of Publication
La Jolla
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