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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Hazardous Descent
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

Hazardous Descent

Artifact ID1973.1.1706
Artist (French-American, born 1926)
Date ca. April 1968
Medium Ink and applied shading on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 11 1/8 in x W 14 1/8 in (28.3 cm x 35.9 cm )

Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. A table ("Negotiations") is at the bottom of a huge pit. LBJ starts to climb down the ladder on one side while Ho Chi Minh starts climbing down the ladder on the other side. Each looks back at the other. Caption: “Hazardous Descent”. Artist signature lower right: "Peb 68”.
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower right: [red] "With my respects to L.B.J.". Handwritten at lower right: “4/11/68”. Handwritten at lower right: [red] “C55”.
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.
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 Lyndon Johnson Presidential Library and Museum. The Lyndon Johnson Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of these 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 Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam, 1890 - 1969)
Not on view
Place of Publication
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