Catalogue Number
NBS I/D 241
Object Name
banner
Title
DOCK, WHARF, RIVERSIDE AND GENERAL WORKERS UNIONS OF GT BRITAIN & IRELAND. EXPORT BRANCH. PEACE HATH HER VICTORIES NO LESS RENOWNED THAN WAR. A NATION MADE FREE BY LOVE, A MIGHTY BROTHERHOOD! LINKED BY A JEALOUS INTERCHANGE OF GOOD.
Place
London & England & UK; Ireland
Date
, see Description, . 1920?
Creator(s)
NBS National Museum of Labour HistoryNBS National Museum of Labour HistoryGeorge Tutill & Co. (Manufacturer)
Description
The union arose out of the success of the Great Dock strike of 1889, and was formed in that year.
The banner draws on the theme of Hercules wrestling the serpent as an allegory for the "Holy War", against the evils of 'Destitution, Prostitution, and Exploitation'.
This and other slogans on the banner come from speeches of Cardinal Manning, mediator for the dockers during the 1889 strike, whose words found a ready response amongst the overwhelmingly Irish Catholic dockworkers.
The banner was made by George Tutill, 83 City Road, London.
Materials: Single layer silk fabric banner. Ground of green and dark blue jacquered woven silk. Replacement crimson polyester rep borders. Oil painted images on each side.
