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.
Why, George! What a Pleasant Surprise...
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

Why, George! What a Pleasant Surprise...

Artifact ID1973.1.208
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Artist (United States, 1916 - 1980)
Gifter
Date ca. April 1967
Medium Ink and applied shading on heavy drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 10 1/2 in x W 14 1/2 in (26.7 cm x 36.8 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. The heads of LBJ and another man (identifiable as George Romney) are on the same body. LBJ turns his head to speak. Romney’s hand holds a paper ("Romney on Vietnam"). They stand between a dove ("Dovesville") and a hawk ("Hawksville"). Caption: “Why, George! What a Pleasant Surprise Seeing You Here!”. Artist signature upper left: "Fischetti”. A small piece of paper “Publishers Newspaper Syndicate, 1967” adhered to upper left. A small piece of paper “Fischetti” adhered to upper left.
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower right: "For President Johnson with kind regards, -John Fischetti". Handwritten at lower left: “1409” “April 1967” “10”. Handwritten at lower center: [blue] “5 ½ + 7 ⅜ wide”.
Historical NoteMichigan governor George Romney ran against Richard Nixon in the 1968 Republican primaries. In August 1967, he described being “brainwashed” into supporting the Vietnam War, a controversial comment at the time. He shifted to an antiwar platform, and withdrew on February 28, 1968.
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 Lyndon Baines Johnson (United States, 1908 - 1973)
Person Referenced George W. Romney (United States, 1907 - 1995)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Related Links