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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Please Accept My Invitation
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

Please Accept My Invitation

Artifact ID1973.1.1729
Publisher ()
Date ca. April 1968
Medium Ink and applied shading on illustration board
DimensionsOverall H 20 in x W 15 in (50.8 cm x 38.1 cm )

Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. A man (identifiable as Ho Chi Minh) hits LBJ on the head with a rolled paper ("Poland or Cambodia"). At the same time, LBJ hits Ho on the head with another rolled up paper ("Any Neutral Site"). A small man hides behind a small table and says “That’s diplomatic maneuvering”. Caption: “Please Accept My Invitation”. Artist signature lower right: "Ralph Vinson".
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower left: [red] “States editorial”. Handwritten at lower center: [red] “5 ¾”. Handwritten at lower right: [red] “Fri. Apr 19, 1968”. Handwritten at lower right: “405”.
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. Peace talks began in May 1968 in Paris, but they took years before any resolution could be reached due to setbacks and arguments about legitimacy. 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, 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 Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam, 1890 - 1969)
Person Referenced Lyndon Baines Johnson (United States, 1908 - 1973)
Not on view
Place Described
Place of Publication