Handcuff Collection

As American Goes, So Goes the World. American cartoon by D. R. Fitzpatrick, 1953
CIVIL RIGHTS CARTOON, 1953. As American Goes, So Goes the World. American cartoon by D.R. Fitzpatrick, 1953, on the emphasis in President Eisenhowers inauguration speech on the importance of

An engraving depicting plain-clothed policemen making an arrest, 19th century
5311194 An engraving depicting plain-clothed policemen making an arrest, 19th century; (add.info.: Date: 1889); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Eastern European handcuffs
5614377 Eastern European handcuffs; (add.info.: Eastern European handcuffs. From The Strand Magazine, published January to June 1894.); Photo © Hilary Morgan.

An engraving depicting a New York policeman pulling his handcuffs from his pocket as an arrest is made, 19th century
5311193 An engraving depicting a New York policeman pulling his handcuffs from his pocket as an arrest is made, 19th century; (add.info.: Date: 1888); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Mexican handcuffs
5614376 Mexican handcuffs; (add.info.: Mexican handcuffs. From The Strand Magazine, published January to June 1894.); Photo © Hilary Morgan.

A pair of Snap handcuffs
5614373 A pair of Snap handcuffs; (add.info.: A pair of Snap handcuffs. From The Strand Magazine, published January to June 1894.); Photo © Hilary Morgan.

Twister handcuffs
5614375 Twister handcuffs; (add.info.: Twister handcuffs. From The Strand Magazine, published January to June 1894.); Photo © Hilary Morgan.

Nippers handcuffs
5614374 Nippers handcuffs; (add.info.: Nippers handcuffs. From The Strand Magazine, published January to June 1894.); Photo © Hilary Morgan.

Houdini & Daily MIrror Challenge - handcuffs 1904
The handcuffs with which the Daily Mirror challenged Harry Houdini at the London Hippodrome in March 1904. The cuff was allegedly made by a Birmingham blacksmith, Nathaniel Hart

Men are handcuffed after they were detained by police during a police anti-illegal drugs operation in Quezon city, Metro Manila, Philippines November 9, 2016. Picture taken November 9, 2016

"St. Peter freed from jail", bronze, attributed to Caradosso (1452-1526 ca.), Church of S. Pietro in vincoli Rome Church of S

A suspect is handcuffed and detained by policemen after a grenade attack of Burundi s
A suspect is handcuffed and detained by policemen after a grenade attack of Burundis capital Bujumbura, February 3, 2016. At least one person was killed in a grenade attack on a bar in Burundi

The special pair of handcuffs from which Houdini had to extract himself, taking over an hour at a highly publicised event sponsored by the Daily Mirror at the Hippodrome

Houdini & Daily MIrror Challenge
Houdinis great lock-picking feat at the London Hippodrome. Harry Houdini shown on stage at the London Hippodrome, having specially made cuffs locked to his wrists in the presence of representatives

Houdinis act at the London Hippodrome 1904
Impression of Houdini performing his famous escapology act at the London Hippodrome in 1904 where he was manacled with handcuffs allegedly made by a locksmith over several years

The Freedman, 1862--63 (bronze)
2969125 The Freedman, 1862A--63 (bronze) by Ward, John Quincy Adams (1830-1910); 49.9x40x23.9 cm; The Art Institute of Chicago, IL, USA; Roger McCormick Endowment; American, out of copyright

A Prisoner led off by a Policeman and a Councillor, from
CH145837 A Prisoner led off by a Policeman and a Councillor, from The Flebus Album of Views In and Around Manila, c.1845 (w/c on paper) by Lozano

Interrogation
Petri Damstén

Frustrated Woman in Handcuffs

Mexican handcuffs. From The Strand Magazine, published January to June 1894

Nippers handcuffs. From The Strand Magazine, published January to June 1894

Eastern European handcuffs. From The Strand Magazine, published January to June 1894

Twister handcuffs. From The Strand Magazine, published January to June 1894

A pair of Snap handcuffs. From The Strand Magazine, published January to June 1894

Houdini the amateur prison breaker and handcuff king
Harry Houdini (1874 - 1926), in a sequence of photographs escaping from a huge number of imprisoning handcuffs. 1904

CARTOON: OLYMPIC BOYCOTT. We want the Olympics to be a pure sporting event - not an opportunity for the Western news media to lionize dissidents and to play politics

Katja The Dancer by Frederick Lonsdale & Harry Graham
Katja The Dancer adapted by Frederick Lonsdale and Harry Graham from Katja Die Taenzerin by Leopold Ja-cobson and Rdolf Oesterreicher; music Jean Gilbert (Johann Strauss-Theater, Vienna, 5/1/1923)

HARRY GOLD (1910-1972). American (Swiss-born) chemist and spy for the Soviet Union. In handcuffs. Photograph, 1950

DAVID GREENGLASS (1922-2014). American machinist and spy for the Soviet Union. In handcuffs, being led by U.S. Marshal Albert Gibson. Photograph, 1950

MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE (1757-1834). French soldier and statesman. During his imprisonment from 1794 to 1797 in Olmtz, Austria. Engraving, c1850

CIVIL RIGHTS PROTEST, 1965. Protesters from the Congress of Racial Equality and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee chained to a courthouse in New York City in protest of the civil rights

HOUDINI SEANCE, 1936. A group of magicians conducting a seance in Detroit, Michigan, in an attempt to contact the spirit of Harry Houdini. Photograph, 31 October 1936

HARRY HOUDINI (1874-1926). American magician. Houdini in handcuffs and chains, at the start of one of his miraculous escapes, 27 February 1918

The Fetter-Room at Millbank (engraving)
XJF488921 The Fetter-Room at Millbank (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Millbank Prison was a prison in Pimlico, London)

Samson and Delilah
XJL61192 Samson and Delilah by Caravaggio, Michelangelo (1571-1610) (follower of); Hospital de Tavera, Toledo, Spain; Italian, out of copyright

Harry Houdini in chains, c. 1899 (b / w photo)
XOS1766207 Harry Houdini in chains, c.1899 (b/w photo) by American Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; American, out of copyright

Harry Houdini, King of Cards, 1895 (colour lithograph)
XOS1766205 Harry Houdini, King of Cards, 1895 (colour lithograph) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Born Erik Weisz (1874-1926) in Budapest.); American

Close up of a ball and chain shackles, Oro Grande, California, United States, Route 66

Tobacco addiction, conceptual image F006 / 9787
Tobacco addiction, conceptual image

(1922-1972). U. S. Army sergeant and spy for the Soviet Union. Johnson arriving at the Federal Court building in
ROBERT LEE JOHNSON (1922-1972). U.S. Army sergeant and spy for the Soviet Union. Johnson arriving at the Federal Court building in Alexandria, Virginia for his arraignment, 5 April 1965

POLICE EQUIPMENT, 1885. Equipment of a New York City policeman. Wood engaving, 1885

REV. GEORGE BURROUGHS. The witchcraft trial of the Rev. George Burroughs at Salem in 1692. American engraving, 19th century

ARTHUR SPRING (fl. 1853). American criminal. Wood engraving, American, 1853

Extraordinary and expensive engagement of Hardeen the king of handcuff kings and jail breakers. Date 1906

Carbon capture, conceptual image. Lump of charcoal attached to a handcuff

BOSTON: POLICE WAGON, 1965. Vincent J. Flemmi, a Boston mobster, photographed in a police wagon after giving himself up, 1965

THANKSGIVING PARADE, 1887. Uncle Sam, shoving aside anarchy, rides triumphantly in a cornucopia wheeled by commerce. Cartoon, American, 1887

Stall selling souvenirs, Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin, Germany, Europe

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"From Houdini's Escape Acts to the Fight for Freedom: The Power of Handcuffs" Handcuffs have long symbolized both captivity and liberation throughout history. In 1904, the legendary magician Harry Houdini mesmerized audiences with his incredible handcuff challenges, showcasing his unparalleled skills in breaking free from these confinements. But beyond the realm of entertainment, handcuffs have played a significant role in real-life struggles for freedom. As depicted in D. R. Fitzpatrick's American cartoon from 1953, President Eisenhower emphasized the importance of preserving freedom not only abroad but also at home. This notion resonates deeply with Houdini's own belief that true liberation extends beyond physical restraints. In darker times, we witness how they can be used as tools of oppression. Men detained by police during anti-illegal drug operations or suspects apprehended after violent attacks serve as reminders of the struggle against crime and injustice that law enforcement faces daily. Yet, looking back into history reveals an even more harrowing truth – restraining irons designed for slaves and slave ownership bracelets showcase humanity's darkest chapters. These haunting artifacts remind us of the fight against systemic bondage and inequality endured by countless individuals throughout centuries. The image of "The Freedman, " a bronze sculpture created in 1863 to commemorate emancipation during the American Civil War, stands as a testament to resilience and triumph over enslavement. It serves as a poignant reminder that handcuffs were once instruments used to strip away human dignity but ultimately failed to extinguish the spirit of those seeking liberty. Even Prometheus himself suffered under chains in Greek mythology; however, he defied his tormentors' intentions through unwavering determination and strength. Francisco Goya captured this eternal struggle against oppression in his painting "The Torture of Prometheus, " immortalizing mankind's relentless pursuit for autonomy despite facing seemingly insurmountable odds.