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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
LBJ: 'Did You Maybe Expect Attar of Roses?'
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

LBJ: 'Did You Maybe Expect Attar of Roses?'

Artifact ID1973.1.1581
Artist (United States, 1987 - 1993)
Date ca. October 1967
Medium Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 13 in x W 11 in (33 cm x 27.9 cm )

Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. On the White House lawn, LBJ speaks to a man holding nose. A smelly whale ("Vietnam") is beached on the lawn. Caption: “LBJ: 'Did You Maybe Expect Attar of Roses?'”. Artist signature lower right: "Alexander”.
Inscriptions and MarkingsStamped at lower center: [red] [illegible] “Alexander” “P.O. Box” [illegible] “262” “Jenkintown, PA. 19036”. “Handwritten at lower center: [red] “Phila Evening Bulletin” [three checkmarks]. Handwritten at lower right: “10-12-67” “Thurs Ed Page” “3 col Thurs” [illegible].
Historical NoteIn August 1964, US ships were seemingly attacked in the Gulf of Tonkin, leading to the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution that allowed President Johnson to take military action. In February 1965, Johnson authorized Operation Rolling Thunder to bomb North Vietnam and in March, 3500 Marines were deployed in Vietnam. Over 1965, President Johnson escalated the conflict to a full-scale war and over 1967, there were 500,000 American troops in Vietnam. The war attracted both Democrat and Republican critics due to the loss of life, cost to the economy, and ineffectiveness of stopping the spread of Communism.
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 Lyndon Baines Johnson (United States, 1908 - 1973)
Not on view
Place Described
Place of Publication