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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
And We've Got to Be Careful of Overexposure...
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

And We've Got to Be Careful of Overexposure...

Artifact ID1965.28.35
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Artist (United States, 1932 - 2015)
Publisher ()
Gifter
Medium Pencil on typing paper
DimensionsOverall H 11 in x W 8 1/2 in (27.9 cm x 21.6 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. While standing in the Oval Office, LBJ turns and listens to a man with a pipe (identifiable as George Reedy). Caption reads: "--And We've Got to Be Careful of Overexposure. You Know What Happened to Liberace!" Printed in upper left: "BERRY'S WORLD". Artist signature lower left: "Jim Berry NEA."
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten upper right corner: "With Best Regards to President Johnson - Jim Berry"
Historical NoteThe credibility gap refers to the public skepticism about the Vietnam War due to a gap in what the Johnson administration officially told the public and what seemed to be true. In the 1950s, the musician Liberace was accused of homosexuality by tabloids so he sued them for libel. In this cartoon, the reference to Liberace demonstrates how negative press can be detrimental to one’s career.

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 Lyndon Johnson Presidential Library and Museum. The Lyndon Johnson Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of these 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 Liberace (United States, 1919 - 1987)
Person Referenced George E. Reedy (United States, 1917 - 1999)
Person Referenced Lyndon Baines Johnson (United States, 1908 - 1973)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
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