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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Atlas on a Tight Rope
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

Atlas on a Tight Rope

Artifact ID1973.1.1249
Date ca. December 1965
Medium Grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 16 3/8 in x W 13 in (41.6 cm x 33 cm )

Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. LBJ, carrying a globe on his shoulders, walks a tightrope ("Peace Efforts") over a chasm ("Clamor for a Larger War"). A small cat tries to balance at the right side of the tightrope behind LBJ. Caption: “Atlas on a Tight Rope”. Artist signature lower right: "Vic Runtz news ‘65”.
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower left: [blue] “3 col line”. Handwritten at lower center: [blue] “Bangor Daily News - Dec 29, 1965”. Handwritten at lower right: [blue] “Ed page Wed”.
Historical NotePro-war “hawks” supported escalating the war to stop the spread of Communism in Southeast Asia. Pro-war figures believed that the war could be won if the United States had enough public support. Anti-war “doves” included both people who opposed the war ideologically, considering it to be unjust, and people who just believed the war was unwinnable. The number of doves increased over the course of the war.
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