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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
The Boy Jumped Off the Burning Deck--
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

The Boy Jumped Off the Burning Deck--

Artifact ID1973.1.1506
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Artist (1903 - 1979)
Publisher (founded 1837)
Gifter
Date ca. March 1968
Medium Ink on Craftint paper
DimensionsOverall H 15 1/2 in x W 12 in (39.4 cm x 30.5 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. LBJ is at the helm of a burning ship ("LBJ Viet Policy") with an upside down American flag. A man (identifiable as Bobby Kennedy) jumps off the ship, saying, "I told you if you'd change course I'd stay." Another man on the ship (“Rusk”) wears blinders and peers ahead off the bow. In the lower right corner, a man (“Head Cap’n”) stays afloat by leaning on a piece of wood and a cat also floats in the water. Additional text at lower right: "...former Navy man Johnson will understand the flag code-Yardley". Caption: “The Boy Jumped Off the Burning Deck–”. Artist signature lower right: "Yardley."
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at center left: "To L.B.J. Yardley". Handwritten across the bottom: “Tues. am 6m Editorial”. Handwritten at lower right: [red] “52”.
Historical NoteRobert F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson each represented a different side to the Democratic Party in the 1960s. Robert Kennedy was the Attorney General under his brother’s administration and became a New York senator during Johnson’s presidency. He disagreed with Johnson’s Vietnam policy and became a prominent war critic. Kennedy ran for president in 1968 as an anti-war Democratic candidate until his assassination in June 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 Robert F. Kennedy (United States, 1925 - 1968)
Person Referenced Dean Rusk (United States, 1909 - 1994)
Person Referenced Lyndon Baines Johnson (United States, 1908 - 1973)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Place of Publication
Baltimore
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