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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
The Birthday Cake
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

The Birthday Cake

Artifact ID1973.1.1911
Publisher ()
Date ca. September 1968
Medium Ink and applied shading on illustration board
DimensionsOverall H 19 15/16 in x W 14 15/16 in (50.6 cm x 37.9 cm )

Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. A large cake ("20th Anniversary of North Korea") is topped by an oversized ship ("USS Pueblo"). The top layer of the cake has the hammer and sickle symbol on it. A man ("You Know Who") looks on with his hands tied by rope ("That Helpless Feeling"). Caption: “The Birthday Cake”. Artist signature lower right: "Ralph Vinson”.
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at upper right: “390”. Handwritten at lower left: [red] “States editorial”. Handwritten at lower center: [red] “5 ¾””. Handwritten at lower right: [red] “Tue. Sept 10, 1968”.
Historical NoteOn January 23, 1968, the USS Pueblo was captured by North Korea, which claimed that the ship had entered North Korean territory. In response, President Johnson negotiated for the release of the captive sailors to avoid getting into another war.
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
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.
Not on view
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