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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
What're You So Nervous About?
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

What're You So Nervous About?

Artifact ID1973.1.1212
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Date ca. January 1968
Medium Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 22 1/2 in x W 14 1/8 in x D (57.2 cm x 35.9 cm x 0 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. A lion ("Guns") with the face of LBJ is talking to a frightened lamb ("Butter") who also has the face of LBJ. Caption: “What're You So Nervous About?”. Artist signature lower right: "1968, The Register and Tribune Syndicate Wallmeyer Independent, Press-Telegram”.
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower center: [blue] “To President Lyndon B Johnson with best wishes - Dick Wallmeyer”. Handwritten at lower left: [blue] “Tues 1-pt” “Edit Page” “1-9-68”. Handwritten at lower center: “6 ¼” wide” [illegible] “1 engraving 5 ⅜” wide” [illegible] “dispatch” [illegible].
Historical NoteIn 1968, President Johnson asked for a $172 billion budget with the highest percentages going toward the Vietnam War and the Great Society programs. In this cartoon, the expensive lion ("Guns" or foreign policy) threatens the funding for the sheep ("Butter" or domestic policy).
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
Long Beach
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