Crutch Collection (#6)

Waifs and Strays, 1872. Creator: Gustave Doré
Waifs and Strays, 1872. From, " LONDON. A Pilgrimage" by Gustave Dore and Blanchard Jerrold. [Grant and Co. 72-78, Turnmill Street, E.C. 1872]

Humpty-Dumpty, 1928. Creator: Unknown
Humpty-Dumpty, 1928. Nursery-rhyme character with crutch, eye-patch and hot water bottle. Illustration originally published in a childrens annual, [SW Partridge & Co]

Frontispiece from Treasure Island pub. 1915. Creator: Louis Rhead (1857 - 1926)
Frontispiece from Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson, pub. 1915 (colour lithoraph), 1915

Victorian satire, the old pilgrim left behind
Vintage engraving of Victorian satire, the old pilgrim left behind. What ho! Good people, wait for me; Shew deference to the CHurch, The World moves now so fast, alack - it leaves me in the lurch

Greenwich Pensioners, 1808. Artist: John Augustus Atkinson
Greenwich Pensioners, 1808. Two figures, one seated and the other standing

A Greenwich Pensioner, c1800. The man, with a wooden leg and a crutch under one arm, points to the Greenwich Hospital across the River Thames

The Pool of Bethesda, 1772
Christ healing a man at the pool of Bethesda, who has not been able to walk for 38 years. On the left a group of ill people wait for their turn in the miraculous waters

Peter and John with the Beggar at the Beautiful Gate, c1810-c1844

Owen Clancy, begging with his hat in hand, on crutches and with devices strapped to his legs, 1820

Woman with a raree show, Cries of London, 1760. Artist: Paul Sandby
Woman with a raree show, 1760. Spectators and a dog in front of a street show. One of the spectators is on crutches carrying a pile of boxes on which are listed six of the street cries from

View of the Cambridge Heath Turnpike, Hackney, London, 1809. Artist: Heinrich Schutz
View of the Cambridge Heath Turnpike, Tower Hamlets, London, 1809. With a view of St Pauls Cathedral on the horizon. In the foreground a man with crutches begs from a passing group

Hosier Lane, London, 1811. Artist: John Thomas Smith
View of houses standing at the south corner of Hosier Lane, London, 1811; showing streetsellers, a man on crutches and a woman holding a baby

Briar Rose, 1909
The young Prince siad I am not afraid; I am determined to go and look upon the lovely Briar Rose …. Briar Rose from The Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm, pub. 1909 (colour lithograph)

Hansel and Gretel, 1909
Hansel put out a knuckle-bone, and the old Woman, whose eyes were dim, could not see, and thought it was his finger, and she was much astonished that he did not get fat … Hansel

TURKEY: ANOTHER SICK MAN. An 1898 cartoon by Sir John Tenniel on the sick man of Europe consoling the sick man of Asia

German holding up the other Central Powers
Russian caricature from WWI era showing Germany struggling to support the failing efforts of their allies, the other Central Powers, The Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria (?). Date: circa 1917

Mode of support for a fractured thigh in old persons. From The Household Physician, published c. 1898
Mode of support for a fractured thigh in old persons. From The Household Physician, published c.1898

Hans Bol (1534-1593). Flemish painter. Village Scene, 16th C. National Gallery. Prague (Sternberg Palace). Czech Republic

Easter. Jesus went to the pool of Bethesda (Jerusalem) where there were many sick. An angel stirred the water and the first to be launched, was healing. Codex of Predis (1476). Royal Library. Turin

Illustration, Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens, by Arthur Rackham -- An elderberry hobbled across the walk, and stood chatting with some young quinces. A curious group of humanised trees. Date: 1906

Disabled children, Ghana, West Africa

DICKENS: A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim. Lithograph, 19th century

ALASKA: ESKIMOS, c1916. A group of Eskimo men outside of a building, Kivalina, Alaska. Photograph, c1916

The Hostage. Illustration, 1911, by N. C. Wyeth for Robert Louis Stevensons Treasure Island
TREASURE ISLAND, 1911. The Hostage. Illustration, 1911, by N.C. Wyeth for Robert Louis Stevensons Treasure Island

An 1877 cartoon by Thomas Nast of a battered Republican elephant licking its wounds after the Pyrrhic victory of
ELECTION CARTOON, 1877. An 1877 cartoon by Thomas Nast of a battered Republican elephant licking its wounds after the Pyrrhic victory of the party in the election between Rutherford B

EVRV2A-00249
Messenger bringing colonists news of the battle at Lexington Green, 1775. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Pythagoras (580-500 BC), drawing for the School of Athens, 16th century. Artist: Raphael
Pythagoras (580-500 BC), drawing for the School of Athens, 16th century

L Imploration a la Grotte, c1870-1930 (1924). Artist: Jean Louis Forain
L Imploration a la Grotte, c1870-1930 (1924). A print from A History of French Etching from the 16th Century to the Present Day, by F L Leipnik, John Lane the Bodley Head Limited, London, 1924

Comforts of Bath: The Games, or Assembly with Card Players, 1798. Artist: Thomas Rowlandson
Comforts of Bath: The Games, or Assembly with Card Players, 1798. The smart set enjoying the season at Bath, home of the famous Roman baths and Pump Room

Entreaty in front of the Cave, 1925. Artist: Jean Louis Forain
Entreaty in front of the Cave, 1925. An etching from Modern Masters of Etching, by JL Forain, (The Studio, London, 1925)

Old Age, c1480, (1843). Artist: Henry Shaw
Old Age, c1480, (1843). A 19th-century copy after a manuscript illustration in the Romance of the Rose. From Dresses and Decorations of the Middle Ages from the Seventh to the Seventeenth Centuries

Old Age and Poverty, c1480, (1843). Artist: Henry Shaw
Old Age and Poverty, c1480, (1843). A 19th-century copy after a manuscript illustration in the Romance of the Rose. From Dresses

The Jacket of Crispi, 1896. Artist: Henri Meyer
The Jacket of Crispi, 1896. Defeat at the hands of King Menilek IIs army at Adwa brought the Italian invasion of Ethiopia to a humiliating end and led to the resignation of the prime minister

The Queen distributing the Crimea Medal, Horseguards Parade, London, c1850s, (1888). Queen Victoria awarding medals to soldiers who fought in the Crimean War

Curing of a hemiplegic, 15th century. Illustration from Le livre des faiz monseigneur Saint Louis, in the collection of the Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris

St Anthony the Great, Egyptian aesthetic. Also known as Antony of Thebes, St Anthony was the father of Christian monasticism and is the patron saint of herdsmen

Casualties of the American Civil War, 1861-1865. Wounded soldiers in the care of the Red Cross sitting out in the fresh air

Christian prisoners taken during a crusade, 13th century. Envoys of Sultan, with an old merchant on crutches acting as interpreter

Hansel and Gretel and the Witch on the doorstep of her cottage. Artist: Arthur Rackham
Hansel and Gretel and the Witch on the doorstep of her cottage. The tiles made of gingerbread can be seen. Arthur Rackham illustration from the Brothers Grimm fairy story. (Copyright must be cleared)

Associates of the Witches of Belvoir. Anne Baker, Joanne Willimott and Ellen Greene, Leicestershire women with their pets and familiars

Amateur dramatics by Victorian people
A British upper class society evening occasion featuring amateur dramatics or charades, including a man hobbling on crutches

The Discovery -- a middle-aged courting couple are spied upon in a garden. 18th century

Life of the Young Tobias byFrancesco Granacci (1469-1543)
Francesco Granacci (1469-1543). Italian painter. Life of the Young Tobias. Detail. Gemaldegalerie. Berlin. Germany

Group of young people at a rock and roll convention in Cornwall, wearing 1950s style costume. Date: 1985

Illustration, Hansel and Gretel -- Hansel, put out your finger for me to feel how fat you are. Date: 1909

Cartoon, Convalescent leave, WW1
Cartoon, Convalescent leave, showing two girls chatting to a little boy dressed as a soldier who has a bandage on his knee

Decorated totem pole, Ketchikan, Alaska, USA
Decorated totem pole in Ketchikan, Alaska, USA. Date: circa 1910s

Men in a timber workshop
Men at work in a timber workshop. A pile of newly made crutches can be seen in the foreground. Date: circa 1940s

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"Crutch: A Symbol of Resilience and Support" Throughout history, the crutch has served as a powerful symbol of resilience and support in various contexts. From literary works to historical events, this simple yet essential aid has left an indelible mark on our collective consciousness. In Long John Silver's adventures, his parrot perched upon his shoulder while he relied on a crutch to navigate the treacherous seas. This iconic image epitomizes strength in the face of adversity. Even renowned author Ernest Hemingway found himself leaning on a crutch during his time at the American Red Cross Hospital in Milan. It serves as a reminder that even great minds require assistance at times. During World War I, German poster campaigns highlighted injured soldiers relying on crutches as they fought to rebuild their lives. These images showcased not only physical but also emotional rehabilitation. Charles Dickens immortalized the spirit of Christmas with "A Christmas Carol, " where Tiny Tim's character exemplifies hope despite using a crutch. His determination inspires us all to overcome obstacles with grace and optimism. John L. Burns, wounded at Gettysburg during the American Civil War, stands tall with his battle-worn body supported by a crutch. At 70 years old, he embodies courage and resilience that transcends age or circumstance. The associates of the Witches of Belvoir are depicted wielding magical staffs resembling enchanted crutches—a testament to their mystical powers and ability to traverse between worlds effortlessly. In Spanish bullfighting series artwork, matadors gracefully wield capes while standing firm on their symbolic red-crutched platforms—showcasing bravery amidst danger within this traditional spectacle. Ancient Greece honored warriors bidding farewell before battle; some leaned upon sturdy wooden supports akin to crutches—an embodiment of camaraderie and unity among those facing uncertain fates together. Artistic depictions reveal Death embracing Pope Pius II as he crowns an Emperor, while a crutch lies nearby.