Off and Running!
Artifact ID1973.1.16
Object Type
Cartoon Drawing
Artist
Jim Dobbins
Gifter
Jim Dobbins
Date
ca. January 1968
Medium
Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 15 1/2 in x W 22 1/8 in (39.4 cm x 56.2 cm )
Physical DescriptionPhysical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. Cowboy LBJ is upside down with one foot caught in a lasso ("Vietnam") and one hand on a donkey. The rest of the broken rope ("1968 Politics") is wrapped around an elephant. The Capitol dome ("Congress") bounces behind him. A figure holds a sign (“Politics is a many splendored thing!”). Caption: “Off and Running!”. Artist signature lower right: "Dobbins Boston Herald-Traveler January 1968”.
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower center: "To President Johnson with a smile; and admiration. Jim D". Handwritten at lower right: [blue] “5 cols Thurs AM-”.
Historical NoteIn August 1964, US ships were seemingly attacked in the Gulf of Tonkin, leading to the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution that allowed President Johnson to take military action. In February 1965, Johnson authorized Operation Rolling Thunder to bomb North Vietnam. The war’s unpopularity in the United States was increased further by the North Vietnamese Tet Offensive in early 1968, which led to even greater casualties. Also during 1968, Lyndon Johnson was up for re-election as president and needed to manage domestic policies such as the Great Society.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
(American, 1908 - 1973)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Place Described
Place of Publication