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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
All Wet
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

All Wet

Artifact ID1966.64.157
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Artist (United States, 1918 - 2009)
Publisher ()
Gifter
Date ca. February 1966
Medium Ink and watercolor on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 16 1/8 in x W 12 3/8 in (41 cm x 31.4 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal color cartoon drawing. LBJ spills water as he carries two buckets ("Stepped-Up War in Vietnam", "Peace at Any Price") on his shoulders. A nearby man says, "Don't you know you can't carry a bucket of water on each shoulder?" Caption reads: "All Wet". Artist signature lower right: "© 1966 by the Chicago Tribune Holland".
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower right: "To President Johnson with Best Regards - Ed Holland", "2/12/66", "635", "OK Doer", "499".
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, President Johnson escalated the conflict to a full-scale war and by 1966, the year this cartoon was made, there were 400,000 American troops in Vietnam. John Q Public is a character often included in political cartoons to depict the average citizen, often portrayed with glasses, a mustache, and a fedora.
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 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
Chicago
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