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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 Barber of Politicsville
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

The Barber of Politicsville

Artifact ID1973.1.307
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Artist (United States, 1910 - 1985)
Publisher (founded 1876)
Gifter
Date ca. April 1968
Medium Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 15 3/4 in x W 12 3/8 in (40 cm x 31.4 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. Hubert Humphrey, a barber, chases another man (“RFK”), trying to cut his long hair. Money falls from Kennedy's pocket. In the background, a donkey, LBJ, and another man watch from the doorway of the barbershop (“HHH”), which has a sign on it ("Open for biz"). Caption: “The Barber of Politicsville”. Artist signature lower right: "Knox Nashville Banner 4-29-68”.
Historical NoteNew York Senator Robert F. Kennedy, a prominent critic of the Vietnam War, ran for president in 1968 as a Democrat with an anti-war platform until his assassination in June 1968.Vice President Hubert Humphrey was a liberal Democrat from Minnesota that co-founded Americans for Democratic Action. He was initially opposed to the Vietnam War, but reversed his position on it as vice-president due to pressure from President Johnson, which made him lose much of his support base of civil rights, labor activists, and other liberals. He announced his candidacy for president on April 27th. However, his association with Lyndon Johnson and the Vietnam War split the Democratic Party and hurt his campaign.
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 Robert F. Kennedy (United States, 1925 - 1968)
Person Referenced Lyndon Baines Johnson (United States, 1908 - 1973)
Person Referenced Hubert H. Humphrey (United States, 1911 - 1978)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Place of Publication
Nashville
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