"Once there was a sleeping country...." Cartoon
Artifact IDMO 2024.1.37
Object Type
Editorial Cartoon
Date
January 5, 1964
Artist
Jules Feiffer
(Cartoonist, American, born 1929)
Gifter
Jules Feiffer
Medium
Ink on paper
DimensionsOverall H 27 3/4 in x W 17 1/4 in (70.5 cm x 43.8 cm)
Physical DescriptionNine-part cartoon. A little girl is reading a book: 1) "Once there was a sleeping country that had spent eight years under a spell. Nobody argued. Everybody slept". 2) "Then one day into this country rode a handsome young prince. 'It's time to get moving again' the prince declared. The country stirred in its sleep." 3) "For the first time in years people actually began to talk. They argued. They took sides. 'Stop talking so loud' the rest of the country grumbled in its sleep, 'Have some consideration for the rest of us'. 4) "But the talking only became louder. More and more people awoke, and, angry that they had to be awake, began to talk, began to argue, began to take sides. 5)"Then one day the young prince was killed -- No one could agree by whom. Every side accused every other side. But calmer heads prevailed. 6) " 'See what we have come to with this wicked dissension' calmer heads argued, 'Let us cleanse our country of this divisive debate'." 7) And the country, suffering from wounds and guilt, cheered. Debate halted. Argument died. And there was no more talk in the land. 8) "And as the country prepared for sleep it hoped that no one would ever ask it to move again." 9) "For it really did not want to kill any more princes."
Additional DetailsCustodial History NoteItem was donated to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum by the Estate of President John F. Kennedy. It was held by the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library Archives until it was transferred to the Museum Collection in 2024.
Credit LineJohn F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA; Gift of the Estate of President John F. Kennedy
National Archives Catalog CollectionJohn F. Kennedy Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 1676934)
National Archives Catalog SeriesJohn F. Kennedy Memorial Collection (National Archives Identifier 76055729)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - FullyUse Restriction Note© Jules Feiffer. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA. This image is subject to copyright, use is restricted. It is the user’s responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictionsIn Collection(s)
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