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MAD Magazine from October 1963
MAD Magazine from October 1963

MAD Magazine from October 1963

Object number2000.043.0001
DateOctober 1963
ClassificationsNewspapers & Magazines
ObjectMagazine
Credit LineThe Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza Collection
MediumPaper, Newsprint, Metal
Dimensions10 3/4 × 8 1/8 × 1/8 in. (27.3 × 20.7 × 0.3 cm)
Collections
DescriptionMAD magazine from October 1963, Vol. 1, Number 82. The full-color paper cover is illustrated with an image of Fidel Castro in profile wearing a green hat and holding a large lit cigar in his mouth. The artist's name is printed beneath the lit match: "Norman Mingo." A cigar wrapper is drawn in the middle of the cigar with an image of MAD's mascot, Alfred E. Neuman. This image is not available online larger than a thumbnail to protect the copyright of its creator(s). For a more detailed examination of this item, please schedule an appointment in the Museum’s Reading Room.
Curatorial Commentary
This 1963 issue of Mad suggests that Cuban prime minister Fidel Castro is lighting up an exploding cigar. Though intended here as a parody, in fact the CIA and Cuban exile groups were at this time devising a number of different ways in which they might assassinate Castro. One of these attempts did indeed involve an exploding cigar, which was allegedly to have been given to Castro when he visited the United Nations in New York City. Another related plot involved a cigar contaminated with botulinum toxin, though apparently that cigar never reached the Cuban prime minister. - Stephen Fagin, Curator