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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Year of the Great Drought
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

Year of the Great Drought

Artifact ID1973.1.569
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Date ca. September 1965
Medium Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 18 3/4 in x W 15 in (47.6 cm x 38.1 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. An elephant crawls across a desert under the blazing sun with the face of LBJ. A cactus beside him bears a sign ("Concrete Issues for '66"). Caption: “Year of the Great Drought”. Artist signature lower right: "Pletcher”. A small piece of paper “Sioux City Journal” adhered to lower right.
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower right: "To President Lyndon B. Johnson, with best wishes. Eldon Pletcher-1965". Handwritten at upper left: “5 ½””. Handwritten at upper right: “Wednesday”.
Historical NoteThe 1966 elections elected the members of the 90th Congress as well as several gubernatorial seats. In this cartoon, a Republican elephant finds himself in a desert void of political issues to campaign over, demonstrating an uncertain platform for the 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)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Place of Publication
Sioux City
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