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Trade Union Banners
The banners were then painted with
oil paints that had been left to sit out for a while.
Trade union banners were sometimes
painted by coach painters, sign makers, or decorators in the United
Kingdom. Usually, however, they were made by the most “artistic” member
of the union. Starting in 1837, George Tutill of Chesham in
Buckinghamshire has been responsible for producing more than three
quarters of these banners. The Huguenots constructed the banners from
pure silk in London. They were in such great demand, there were 17,000
looms in operation at the peak of their production.
A wooden frame was used to stretch the silk tight so that a coat of
India rubber could be applied. The banners were then painted with oil
paints that had been left to sit out for a while. This aging of the
paint enabled it to dry faster and remain more elastic.
There were many popular images that were used, including Heraldic
images, biblical stories (David beating Goliath), and other symbols of
truth, justice, and hope. Trade union banners lost their popularity in
Britain with the rise of a Conservative government and the dismantling
of the welfare state. These works have come back into popularity over
the last 10 years, with a host of postcards, books, and videos produced
to spark interest in this piece of Britain’s history.
The Pump House People's History Museum in Manchester is just one of many
museums that specialize in restoring and displaying trade union banners. .
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