Fire! Jimmy Carter 

• 1977 
• Mapes, Harold 
• Drawing 
• Historical item 

5558633

Drawings / paintings

Fire! Jimmy Carter

38 x 31 cm

1977

Original editorial cartoon on card in pen, ink and crayon published in the Fort Worth Star Telegram, 1977, shows President Jimmy Carter trying to fight the fires of inflation with a ‘gas price boost’ (depicted as a gas pump). Carter's presidency was a time of continuous inflation and recession, as well as an energy crisis because of the oil price rises during the 1970s. In 1977 Carter wanted to impose a ‘gas tax hike’, not just for revenue purposes but also to encourage people to be more careful in their use of fuel. Perhaps the only result of such a measure would be to fan the flames of inflation further. The proposal met a tidal wave of opposition and was never implemented. Also included is the page from the original newspaper (14 April 1977) in which the cartoon appeared. Card size 38 x 31 cm (15 x 12 inch), image size 34 x 27 cm, signed lower right, with a dedication: ‘best wishes to John Speer’, to whom a note is addressed and to whom the cartoon was sent (with ‘no charge’). Original mailing envelope also present. In excellent condition