Skip to main content
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
The Losers
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

The Losers

Artifact ID1973.1.1006
Artist (United States, 1908 - 1980)
Publisher (founded 1880)
Date ca. October 1968
Medium Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 17 in x W 14 in (43.2 cm x 35.6 cm )

Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. A big foot ("Fortas Filibuster") has just kicked LBJ (“President”) and other figures ("Senate”, “Supreme Court”, “U.S. Constitution"), leaving a footprint on each. A small piece of paper “ © 1968 Buffalo Evening News” adhered to lower right. Caption: "The Losers." Artist signature lower right: "Bruce Shanks 10-4-68”.
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower right: [blue] "Best wishes to President Johnson".
Historical NoteAbe Fortas was a friend of Lyndon Johnson’s and nominated to the Supreme Court in 1965 to succeed Arthur Goldberg, who left to become a U.N. Ambassador. Fortas upheld the Voting Rights Act and ruled on Miranda v. Arizona and Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School. After Chief Justice Earl Warren’s resignation in 1968, Johnson tried to make him the next chief justice, but the nomination was rejected due to his closeness to the president and mishandling of money and Fortas resigned from the court in 1969.
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
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Fully
Use Restriction Note© Buffalo Evening News, Inc.
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 Abe Fortas (United States, 1910 - 1982)
Person Referenced Lyndon Baines Johnson (United States, 1908 - 1973)
Not on view
Place of Publication