Trade union banner

Trade union banner

This banner was made for the Westport District Gold Miners’ Industrial Union of Workers in 1899 by the London firm of Tutills at a cost of £40 (equivalent to more than $7000 in 2013).

Banners have brought pageantry and pride to the trade union movement since they first appeared in Britain in the early 19th century. The Westport District Gold Miners’ Industrial Union was re-registered as the Westport General Labourers’ and Mechanics’ Union in 1908, but this banner was still being carried proudly at Labour Day parades in Westport in the 1930s.

The double-sided painted banner was gifted to Te Papa in 2009.

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