Image of Lee Harvey Oswald in handcuffs at the Dallas police headquarters

Dallas Morning News chief photographer Tom Dillard kept many of his unpublished negatives, as did other News photographers.  Dillard also kept negatives taken by other photographers in his department, such as this and several other Bill Winfrey negatives.  Of all the assassination-related images from Dallas Morning News photographers, this one is probably the most famous. - Gary Mack, Curator

Perhaps the most famous photograph of Lee Harvey Oswald following his arrest, this image by Dallas Morning News photographer Bill Winfrey has been discussed and debated for years. To some, Oswald appears to be making a defiant gesture with his raised fists, perhaps giving a Communist sign. Others believe that the prisoner was showing off his handcuffs to the news media. News film of this instant shows that Oswald's fists were raised very briefly, for less than two seconds, as he was quickly escorted out of Captain Fritz's office. Nevertheless, whenever this image is published in books and magazines, the photo caption typically makes a determination on the meaning behind Oswald's raised arms. - Stephen Fagin, Curator