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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
It's a Different Kind of Bird
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

It's a Different Kind of Bird

Artifact ID1973.1.1778
Artist (United States, born 1912)
Publisher
Date ca. October 1965
Medium Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 14 1/2 in x W 11 1/8 in (36.8 cm x 28.3 cm )

Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. A huge eagle ("US Buildup") glares down on two men ("Viet Cong" "Viet Minh") sitting under a tree while feasting on a dead bird ("French Defeat"). The Viet Cong man gestures toward the looming eagle. Caption: “It's a Different Kind of Bird”. Artist signature lower right: "Art Bimrose”.
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower right: "To President Lyndon B. Johnson with my sincere best wishes Art Bimrose The Oregonian". Handwritten at lower left: [blue] “Mon. Edit Pg.” Handwritten at lower center: [blue] “5 ⅝””. Handwritten at lower right: [blue] “10/11/65”.
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, the year this cartoon was made, President Johnson escalated the conflict to a full-scale war with 175,000 American troops. Vietnam previously fought the First Indochina War against France from 1946-1954 and won using similar tactics as those used in the Vietnam 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 Lyndon Johnson Presidential Library and Museum. The Lyndon Johnson Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of these 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.

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