Skip to main content
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Desperate Need: A Bridge
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

Desperate Need: A Bridge

Artifact ID1973.1.1887
Date ca. June 1967
Medium Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 13 5/8 in x W 10 3/4 in (34.6 cm x 27.3 cm )

Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. LBJ ("USA") extends an arm across a flame-filled chasm ("Mideast") to grasp another man’s (identifiable as Alexei Kosygin's "USSR") arm extending from the other side. The United Nations logo walks across a chasm on their arms. Caption: “​​Desperate Need: A Bridge”. Artist signature lower right: "Vic Runtz news ‘67".
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower left: [blue] “3 col line Ed Page Tues”. Handwritten at lower left: “5””. Handwritten at lower center: “Bangor Daily News - June 6, 1967”.
Historical NoteDuring the Johnson administration and general postwar era, much foreign policy was dictated by the Cold War, the rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union for political influence amidst decolonization, associated with proxy wars, ideological struggles, the nuclear arms race, and the space race.
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.
Person Referenced Lyndon Baines Johnson (American, 1908 - 1973)
Person Referenced Aleksey N. Kosygin (Russian, 1904 - 1980)
Not on view
Place Described
Place of Publication