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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
What's Holding Things Up?
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

What's Holding Things Up?

Artifact ID1966.64.88
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Artist
Gifter
Date ca. February 1966
Medium Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 19 1/8 in x W 14 1/4 in (48.6 cm x 36.2 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. A large cat ("Stop 'Em in Vietnam") stands over a rat hole in the floor. Several rats below ("Communist" "Expansion," "Wars of Liberation") look up at the cat through the hole. Caption reads: "What's Holding Things Up?". Artist signature lower right: "Dowling."
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at center right: "To President Lyndon Johnson from Dan Dowling NY Herald Tribune". Handwritten at upper right: "39" "Daily". Paper with print adhered at bottom center: "Publishers Newspaper Syndicate, 1966". Handwritten at lower right: "2/21/66".
Historical NoteDomino Theory was the idea that if one country in a region became Communist, its neighbors would follow. In this cartoon, the cat is preventing the first "domino" from falling by not allowing rats to enter through the hole.
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 personally, until the President donated it to the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum in 1970.
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.
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Place Described
Vietnam
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