Skip to main content
Collections Menu
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Mind If I Borrow It for Awhile, Harry?
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

Mind If I Borrow It for Awhile, Harry?

Artifact ID1973.1.294
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Publisher (founded 1905)
Date 1967
Medium Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 17 1/4 in x W 14 in (43.8 cm x 35.6 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. LBJ speaks to Truman, who sits in a rocking chair on his porch, and motions toward the nearby train ("HST Special") ("Give 'Em Hell"). A dog sits on the steps and looks at LBJ. Caption: “Mind If I Borrow It for Awhile, Harry?”. Additional text at lower center: “Detroit News ‘67”. Artist signature lower right: "Poinier”.
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower left: [blue] "To President Johnson with sincere good wishes. Art Poinier". Handwritten across the top: “18 pt. Spartan Bold Ital. clc centered 35 picas set guide line”. Sketch on reverse.
Historical NoteDuring Harry S Truman’s 1948 presidential campaign, a supporter yelled “Give em hell Harry” and Truman responded by saying, “I don’t give them hell. I just tell the truth about them, and they think it’s hell.” In this cartoon, Lyndon Johnson wants to borrow Truman’s train he used for campaigning, since Johnson was up for reelection in 1968, the year after this cartoon was made.
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 Harry S. Truman (United States, 1884 - 1972)
Person Referenced Lyndon Baines Johnson (United States, 1908 - 1973)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Place of Publication
Detroit
Related Links