Hang in there, Baby

For the Johnny Bristol song, see Hang on in There Baby.
The original "Hang In There, Baby" poster by Victor Baldwin, 1971

Hang in there, Baby is a popular catchphrase made by a motivational poster. There were several versions of the poster, featuring a picture of a cat or kitten, hanging on to a stick, tree branch, pole or rope.[1] It has since become a popular relic of the 1970s.

The original "Hang In There, Baby" poster featured a black and white photograph of a Siamese cat and was created by Los Angeles photographer Victor Baldwin, who had worked as an animal photographer in the 1940s and 1950s. According to his nephew Roger Garrett, Baldwin came up with the "Hang In There, Baby" phrase and held a 1971 copyright to the original design, legally challenging the many versions that followed.[2] Baldwin produced other animal themed posters throughout the 1970s, as well as a wristwatch, mugs and other products featuring the "Hang In There, Baby" cat image.

The cat's name is unknown, however Baldwin produced a book "Little Kitten, Big World"[3] in 1956 featuring a Siamese kitten named Simmy.

A copy of the poster was famously presented to Spiro Agnew by 100 of his supporters in Congress when he was under pressure to resign in 1973.[4]

Another copy of the kitten poster hangs in an outer office of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The vintage poster originally belonged to his father, former Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau.[5]

References

  1. Wilke, Rebecca Lynn (2002). The First Days of Class: A Practical Guide for the Beginning Teacher. Corwin Press. p. 103. ISBN 0-7619-3813-3.
  2. Mitchell, Kerrie (July 2007). "The Accidental Icons". Popular Photography: 72.
  3. Baldwin, Victor; Baldwin, Jeanne (1956-01-01). Little Kitten, Big World. New York: W. Morrow.
  4. "Hang in There". The Daily Times. 1973-09-23. Retrieved 2008-04-16.
  5. Julie Van Dusen (2015-11-29). "Pierre Trudeau's desk retrieved from storage for his son to use". CBC News. Retrieved 2015-11-30.
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