The early banner designers borrowed from heraldic tradition and many banners carry a trade Coat of Arms, with the craftsman as supporters, carrying their tools of the trade. Masonic emblems also appear in the form of the set square and dividers, crossed tools and sometimes the All Seeing Eye. These banners are a statement of craft pride and demonstrate a sense of dignity in the craftsmen's work.
Certain themes appear on the banners throughout the 19th century: unity, brotherhood, mutuality and an assertion of the non-threatening nature of the union. From the 1850s, the growing strength of trade unions and the increasing need for better organisation in strikes and lockouts, encouraged local unions to amalgamate into larger Scottish unions with local branches.. It fell upon the local branch to make their own banner. Some of the Carpenters and Joiners banners have been altered as branches changed their names.
By the 1880s unions of unskilled workers, like the dockers and carters had grown in strength. These new unions were less defensive than the older craft unions and advocated industrial activity. The success in union activity can be seen in the size of the banners. By the late 19th century, banners become larger and more ornate. This was also a result of the influence of George Tutill of City Road, London, who made several banners in the collection and inspired local artists to produce banners on a similar scale. These large banners would have cost a great deal and it was only a union that was assured of its permanence that would be willing to put up a large amount of money.
Banners continue to emphasise the welfare aspect of the union's work and several from the 1890s emphasise the benefits of joining the union with members receiving unemployment, sick, funeral and widow's benefit.
In the years around the First World War the concept of One Big Union was advocated: the National Union of Railwaymen was formed in 1913 and the Amalgamated Engineering Union in 1920. After World War 11 trade union membership increased and independent Scottish trade unions, of which there used to be hundreds, merged with their English or British counterparts. This period also saw a growth in the number of female members. As the nature of the workforce and aspects of working practice change, new issues become important. Banners have become simpler in their design, but some use interesting construction techniques including screen-printing and appliqué.
The image library for the collections of Edinburgh Libraries and Museums and Galleries