The Odd Couple
Artifact ID1973.1.299
Object Type
Cartoon Drawing
Artist
Eugene Payne
(1919 - 2010)
Publisher
The Charlotte Observer
Gifter
Eugene Payne
Date
ca. August 1968
Medium
Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 15 1/8 in x W 13 1/4 in (38.4 cm x 33.7 cm )
Physical DescriptionPhysical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. Hubert Humphrey, with an apron and duster ("Hubert's Campaign") surveys the mess that LBJ, who sits in chair smoking and reading, made. Papers ("The Johnson Record") and garbage lay on the floor. His hat and a paper (“Chicago”) are on the table. Caption: “The Odd Couple”. Artist signature lower left: "Payne”.
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower right: "To President Johnson-who was always better to cartoonists than they were to him-best regards-Eugene Payne”. Handwritten at lower right: [blue] “Aug 25-68”. Handwritten at lower left: “8-25-68”.
Historical NoteVice 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. When he ran for president in 1968, his association with Lyndon Johnson and the Vietnam War split the Democratic Party and hurt his campaign. In August 1968, the Democratic National Convention was held in Chicago and nominated Hubert Humphrey as vice-president. Because of Humphrey’s support for the Vietnam War as vice-president, many people in the Yippie and National Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam organizations protested outside the convention. Earlier that year, the Tet Offensive increased opposition to the Vietnam War, the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., and the assassination of antiwar candidate Robert F. Kennedy. Fights broke out between antiwar protestors and the police, leading to the Chicago Seven trial where protest organizers were charged with crimes. Inside the convention, different groups of delegates from southern states fought to be the official delegation from that state. The Democratic National Convention demonstrated the disunity within the Democrat Party.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
(United States, 1908 - 1973)
Person Referenced
Hubert H. Humphrey
(United States, 1911 - 1978)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Place Described
Place of Publication