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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Three's a Crowd
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

Three's a Crowd

Artifact ID1973.1.2010
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Publisher ()
Date ca. February 1968
Medium Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 17 1/8 in x W 14 1/8 in (43.5 cm x 35.9 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. LBJ and a man (identifiable as Harold Wilson) sit at a table (“Washington Meeting”) to discuss different notes ("End of all policing commitments from Suez to Singapore”, “Phasing out the pound sterling as a reserve currency”, and “A look to the U.S. for the defense of remaining world interests"). Wilson's pipe smoke takes the form of a sad lion ("Ghost of past days of prestige and glory"). Caption: “Three's a Crowd”. Additional text at lower right: “New Orleans Times - Picayune - Feb. 8, 1968”. Artist signature lower right: "Pletcher”.
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower left: "To President Johnson with best wishes - Eldon Pletcher".
Historical NoteDuring the mid-1960s, the British government overspent due to its overseas defense policies. On November 18, 1967, the Pound Sterling lost 14% of its value. In 1968, the United Kingdom's government announced a withdrawal of all troops "East of Suez," which included Malaysia and Singapore, demostrating Britain's loss of its former status as a world power.
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 B Johnson Presidential Library 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 Harold Wilson (Great Britian, 1916 - 1995)
Person Referenced Lyndon Baines Johnson (United States, 1908 - 1973)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Subjects
Europe
Place of Publication
New Orleans
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