"banner, National Winding and General Engineers Society" [NBS I/D 344]

Catalogue Number
NBS I/D 344

Object Name
banner

Title
NATIONAL WINDING AND GENERAL ENGINEERS SOCIETY EST. 1859 THE ONLY WEALTH IS LABOUR

Place
England & UK

Events
General Strike

Creator(s)
NBS National Museum of Labour HistoryNBS National Museum of Labour HistoryGeorge Tutill & Co. (Manufacturer)

Description
This banner was made in 1926, the year of the General Strike and the moment of truth for revolutionary syndicalist ideas. Machinery and colliery indicate the power of industry; the beehive symbolises collective labour which is "The Only Wealth".

The triumphal pillars still serve as the basic structure for the design. The reverse depicts traditional symbols and biblical parables.

On the reverse the central benevolent father-figure, traditionally the role of God, has been taken here by one of the Union's chief officers, C.W. Allison, who was Mayor of Stockton-on-Tees.

Materials: oil paint on plainwoven silk.

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