Skip to main content
Collections Menu
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
The Problem Is in the Translation...
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

The Problem Is in the Translation...

Artifact ID1973.1.1136
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Date ca. November 1968
1968-12-03
Medium Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 22 3/4 in x W 14 in (57.8 cm x 35.6 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. LBJ and another man (identifiable as Nguyen Cao Ky) play against two men (identifiable as Ho Chi Minh and a peasant) on a giant scrabble board with some completed words ("War”, “Peace”, “Paris”, “Talks”). Both LBJ and Ho appear to talk to their partners. Caption: “The Problem Is in the Translation…”. Artist signature lower left: "Wallmeyer Independent, Press-Telegram”. A small piece of paper “1968, The Register and Tribune Syndicate” adhered to lower left.
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower left: [blue] "To President Lyndon B. Johnson with best wishes, Dick Wallmeyer". Handwritten at lower left: “Tues. 1-PT” “Edit. Pag.” “12-3-68”. Handwritten at lower center: “6 ¼” wide” [illegible] “1 engraving 5 ⅜” wide” [illegible] “to Dispatch for mats”. Stamped at lower center: [upside down] [red] “1968 Nov 2 AM 12 05”.
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
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 Nguyen Cao Ky (Vietnamese, 1930 - 2011)
Person Referenced Lyndon Baines Johnson (American, 1908 - 1973)
Person Referenced Ho Chi Minh (Vietnamese, 1890 - 1969)
In Collection(s)
Historical Dates
  • 1968-12-03
Not on view
Place of Publication
Long Beach
Related Links