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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Haunting Refrain
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

Haunting Refrain

Artifact ID1973.1.295
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Publisher ()
Date ca. December 1967
Medium Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 17 1/4 in x W 14 1/8 in (43.8 cm x 35.9 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. An elephant sits at a desk with his hands on his ears. A paper ("Anyone should be able to defeat President Johnson, but--") is on his desk. On his wall are portraits of politicians (“Dick Nixon”, “R. Reagan”, “Geo. Romney”, “N. Rockefeller”). An owl outside says, "Who-o-o-o." Caption: “Haunting Refrain”. Additional text at lower right: “New Orleans Times-Picayune, Dec. 5, 1967”. Artist signature lower right: "Pletcher”
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower left: [blue] "To President Johnson, with all good wishes. E.L. Pletcher".
Historical NoteFormer Vice President Richard Nixon secured the Republican nomination during the 1968 election. His platform emphasized crime and he criticized Johnson’s Vietnam policy, but was vague about his own plans to end the war. California governor Ronald Reagan ran as a conservative Republican during the 1968 primaries. Michigan governor George Romney ran against Richard Nixon in the 1968 Republican primaries. In August 1967, he described being “brainwashed” into supporting the Vietnam War, a controversial comment at the time. He shifted to an antiwar platform, and withdrew on February 28, 1968. New York governor Nelson Rockefeller entered the 1968 Republican primaries in spring 1968. He was a part of the Republican liberal wing.
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 Ronald Reagan (United States, 1911 - 2004)
Person Referenced Lyndon Baines Johnson (United States, 1908 - 1973)
Person Referenced Nelson Rockefeller (United States, 1908 - 1979)
Person Referenced Richard Nixon (United States, 1913 - 1994)
Person Referenced George W. Romney (United States, 1907 - 1995)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Place of Publication
New Orleans
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