Skip to main content
Collections Menu
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Hard Nut to Crack
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Hard Nut to Crack

Artifact IDMO 2005.13.20.31
Object Type Poster
Artist (American cartoonist, 1901 - 1950)
Issuing Body (American, founded 1907)
Date1942
Mediumpaper (cardstock), ink
Dimensionsoverall H 8 in x W 5 3/4 in (20.3 cm x 14.6 cm )
Physical DescriptionA small black and white poster featuring a drawn cartoon of Emperor Hirohito wearing a sailor's uniform with a cap labeled "JAPAN." On the ground in front of him are three walnuts labeled "MID-WAY," "MANILA," and "HAWAII." With the mallet in his hands he has just tried to crack a fourth walnut, labeled "WAKE," which has bounced up unbroken to hit his right eye resulting in a black eye. In the right corner of the cartoon is a small mouse which is stating: -PAL, / THE HARDER / YOU HIT A / U.S. MARINE, THE / HARDER HE / BOUNCES! The artist's facsimile signature is in the lower left corner of the cartoon: Sam Groff.

Produced by the Marine Corps Publicity Bureau (MCPB), poster no. 98345 3-19-42 500.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDonated to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum by the Adriance Memorial Library.
Credit LineGift of the Adriance Memorial Library
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesOriginal Posters from World War I and World War II (National Archives Identifier 739394)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestricted
CopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
Not on view