Skip to main content
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Battle of the Presidents
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

Battle of the Presidents

Artifact ID1988.12.8
Artist (1914 - 1978)
Date ca. July 1966
Medium Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 19 in x W 13 1/2 in (48.3 cm x 34.3 cm )

Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. A man drives another man (“J. Hoffa”), under a cloud ("Prison Sentence"), in a limousine ("$100,000 + Expenses") (“18 KT”) that splashes mud ("Inflation") on LBJ. LBJ drops the sign ("Hold the Line") he was holding. Caption: “Battle of the Presidents”. Artist signature lower left: "Roberts”.
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower left: “7/5/66”. Handwritten at lower right: “5 ¾” wide”. Handwritten at lower right: [underline] “Wilson” [illegible] “7 days”.
Historical NoteWhen Lyndon B. Johnson signed the 1964 Revenue Act that decreased income taxes and refused to raise taxes, spending by consumers and businesses increased. Along with government spending from the Vietnam War and Great Society, all of this increase of demand led to inflation. To slow down the economy and prevent further inflation, either spending had to be cut or taxes had to be raised. The Teamsters are a large union that represents many occupations. On March 7, 1967, former union president Jimmy Hoffa began his sentence in federal prison for various corruption charges.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteThis item was a gift from Marguerite Roberts (Mrs. William E. Roberts) to the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum on May 31, 1988.
Credit LineGift of Marguerite Roberts
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 Jimmy Hoffa (United States, born 1941)
Person Referenced Lyndon Baines Johnson (United States, 1908 - 1973)
Not on view
Place of Publication