Skip to main content
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Whipping Boy
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

Whipping Boy

Artifact ID1973.1.1064
Artist (Irish-born American, 1908 - 1969)
Publisher (founded 1903)
Date ca. August 1968
Medium Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 14 3/4 in x W 11 1/2 in (37.5 cm x 29.2 cm )

Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. LBJ pats (“wage hike”) one little boy ("Steel Unions") on the head. LBJ carries a stick and drags another boy ("Steel Companies") by the ear ("Price Hike"). Caption: “Whipping Boy”. Artist signature lower right: "Robinson”.
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at upper left: “Fri”. Handwritten at upper left: [strikethrough] “Thurs”. Handwritten at upper center: “Aug-9-68”. Handwritten at upper center: [underline] “News”. Handwritten at upper right: “63”. Handwritten at lower center: “6 ¾”.
Historical NoteIn September 1965, Lyndon Johnson averted a steel strike by pressuring the United Steelworkers union under I. W. Abel and management under U.S. Steel Vice-President R. Conrad Cooper to come to an agreement of raising wages to $4.40 per hour with benefits.
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 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)
Not on view
Place of Publication