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Catalogue information
LastDodo number
5892071
Area
Drawings / paintings
Title
Interceptors
Artist
Art object
Art Movement / style
Genre
Material
Technique used
Colouring
Dimensions
56 x 38 cm
Series / hero
Collection / set
Number
Addition to number
Year
1954
Country
Language
Details
Original editorial cartoon on card in ink and crayon for the New York Daily Mirror, 1954, shows two hands from two sides of the world holding duelling swords which cross somewhere in the outer atmosphere. One represents ‘atomic attack’, the other ‘interceptors’, and the arm holding this sword states ‘$1,000,000,000 Defense Program’. In his 1954 State of the Union speech president Eisenhower stated that a billion dollars more would be spent on military and non-military measures for continental defence than in 1953. Part of this would be set aside for the development of interceptors or anti-ballistic missiles (ABM), which were still very much in their infancy. Although both sides in the Cold War now had hydrogen bombs, neither the USA nor the Soviets had intercontinental ballistic missiles with which to attack the other, long-range bombers still being the main potential threat. It would not be until 1957 and the launching of Sputnik by the Soviets (thus showing that they could launch a nuclear missile attack on the US) that more time and resources were devoted to the development of ABMs. Card size 56 x 38 cm (22 x 15 inch), image size 46 x 30 cm, signed lower right, date stamped 18 January 1954 in upper border. Engraving order with the same date attached to verso. Three large nibbles in the card in upper right border, otherwise in very good condition.