Catalogue Number
NMLH.2014.20.13
Object Name
Badge
Description
The National Society of Painters started in 1856 under the name of the Manchester Alliance of Operative House Painters, an alliance of smaller local painters groups mostly from Greater Manchester and the north of England.In 1870 it became known as the General Alliance of Operative House Painters, after local clubs from elsewhere in the country had joined up. In 1879 an attempt was made to make the alliance into an amalgamated union, but these efforts were unsucessful. In 1886, after some members attempted (but failed) to create a rival union (the Midland Alliance of Operative House Painters), the Manchester Alliance decided to form a new union called the National Amalgamated Society of Operative House and Ship Painters and Decorators. This union flourished and, in 1904 it absorbed the London Central House Painters and Decorators Trade Union. In 1941 the union title changed again to the National Society of Painters, and again in 1959 to the Amalgamated Society of Painters and
Decorators. In 1970 the union amalgamated with the Amalgamated Society of Woodworkers, the resulting union being called the Amalgamated Society of Woodworkers and Decorators.
In the original collection that was donated to the museum, this badge was labelled at the badge of the "National Society of Operative House and Ship Painters and Decorators" union. However, this badge was issued after 1941 after the union had changed its name to "The National Society of Painters", but before 1959.
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