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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
State of the Union
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

State of the Union

Artifact ID1973.1.765
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Artist (United States)
Gifter
Date ca. January 1968
Medium Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 14 1/8 in x W 22 in (35.9 cm x 55.9 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. A giant LBJ is spread out across the globe. He has one foot on a steaming jungle and one on an evaporating dollar bill. He holds one hand over a burning city and squashes an elephant with the other. A small figure carries a sandwich sign (“Quite a spread we got here”). Caption: “State of the Union”. Additional text at lower right: “Boston Herald Traveler”. Artist signature lower right: "Jim Dobbins Jan 22, 1968”.
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower center: "To: President Johnson who is doing the impossible! From". Handwritten at lower left: [blue] “Off-Ed Page”. Handwritten at lower center: [blue] “130 lines” “Fri AM”. Handwritten at lower right: [red] “B” “385”. Handwritten at lower right: [blue] “Jan 22 - 68” “52”. Handwritten at lower right: [strikethrough in red] “485”.
Historical NoteOn January 17, 1968, Lyndon Johnson delivered a State of the Union address where he discussed the Vietnam War, his goal of obtaining peace, the Six Day War, the Cyprus Crisis, Cold War tensions with China and the Soviet Union, foreign aid, economic growth, education, urban development, healthcare, the war on crime, taxation, and the budget.
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
Boston
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