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Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Sometimes I’m Required to Chase a Rubber Ball until I’m Black in the Face
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Sometimes I’m Required to Chase a Rubber Ball until I’m Black in the Face

Artifact IDMO 1978.2.38
Object Type Cartoon
Artist (American illustrator, cartoonist, and designer, 1892 - 1969)
Dateca. 1942-1944
Mediumpaper (cardstock), ink, paint (gouache), pencil
Dimensionsoverall H 11 in x W 10 3/8 in (27.9 cm x 26.4 cm )
Physical DescriptionAn original black and white cartoon featuring Franklin D. Roosevelt's Scottish terrier dog, Fala. The cartoon is of a scene showing Fala inside a room in the White House furnished with an armchair, a side table with lamp, and another table on which are several books held in place by a pair of donkey bookends. Fala is chasing a ball bouncing across the room. The Washington Monument is seen in the distance through the French doors. The artist's signature is in the lower right corner of the cartoon: ALAN FOSTER. The caption is handwritten in pencil below the cartoon: "Sometimes I'm required to chase a rubber ball until I'm black in the face."
Historical NoteFrom 1942-1944, American illustrator and cartoonist Alan Foster created a series of cartoons based on Franklin D. Roosevelt's beloved Scottish terrier, Fala. Foster created the "Fala" cartoons for Liberty magazine in 1942, and the "Mr. Fala of the White House" cartoons for Collier's magazine from 1942-1944. This cartoon is believed to have appeared in one of those publications.
Additional Details
Custodial History NotePurchased by the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in 1977 through private sale.
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesPolitical Cartoons (National Archives Identifier 749653)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - PossiblyCopyrightCopyright or other proprietary rights may be held by individuals or entities other than the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. The Franklin D. Roosevelt 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