Sure Hard to Keep from Being a (Gulp!) Nervous Nellie...
Artifact ID1966.64.120
Object Type
Cartoon Drawing
Artist
John Fischetti
(United States, 1916 - 1980)
Gifter
John Fischetti
Publisher
New York Herald Tribune
(1922 - 1966)
Date
1966
Medium
Ink and applied shading on illustration board
DimensionsOverall H 10 3/4 in x W 14 1/2 in (27.3 cm x 36.8 cm )
Physical DescriptionPhysical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. Five people are flying between two trapeze bars. LBJ, holding an olive branch, flies toward a dove sitting on the opposite trapeze bar. Above LBJ, a man (identifiable as Ky) holds an ax while nose-thumbing a Buddhist monk in front of him. Below LBJ, an American soldier and Viet Cong aim weapons at each other. A crowd of people standing below look terrified. Caption reads: "Sure Hard to Keep from Being a (Gulp!) Nervous Nellie..." Artist signature lower left: "Fischetti". Additional text at top center: "© New York Herald Tribune Inc."
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower right: "For President Johnson with warm regards - John Fischetti 1966". Handwritten across bottom: "1150 - Syndicate", "5 1/2 & 7 3/8 wide", "rec'd 5/19".
Historical NoteNorth Vietnam did not want to recognize the government of South Vietnam and had the goal of reunification, while South Vietnam did not recognize the National Liberation Front. Meanwhile, the United States followed Containment policy, hoping to keep Communism from diffusing to other Southeast Asian nations, and aimed to leave Vietnam without the humiliation of defeat. In August 1964, US ships were seemingly attacked in the Gulf of Tonkin, leading to the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution that allowed President Johnson to take military action. In February 1965, Johnson authorized Operation Rolling Thunder to bomb North Vietnam and in March, 3500 Marines were deployed in Vietnam. Over 1965, the year this cartoon was made, President Johnson escalated the conflict to a full-scale war with 175,000 American troops.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 personally, until the President donated it to the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum in 1970.
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 Note© New York Herald Tribune Inc., 1966
Copyright 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.
Copyright 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)
Person Referenced
Nguyen Cao Ky
(Vietnam, 1930 - 2011)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Place of Publication