Trade union banners
Two banners, one of the Typesetters’ Union and one of the Christian Factory and Transport Workers’ Union, required conservation. Both banners are made of silk velvet, decorated with appliqué and gold embroidery. The purple typesetters’ union banner was in a worse condition, with a stained and damaged lining, loose seams, damaged and stained appliqué, loss and corrosion of metal components, and an unstable hanging system.
The lining was removed and replaced with a new cotton lining. While this was a large intervention, it was deemed necessary in this case as the banner could come loose from the hanging system since the old lining was so damaged and weak.
Banner before conservation
Banner after conservation
Back of banner before conservation
Back of banner after conservation
The holes in the appliqué were camouflaged with painted Japanese paper, then covered with conservation net to protect the fragile silk. The loose metal threads at the bottom of the banner were covered with a ribbon in a matching colour, improving the appearance. Loose components such as the metal border were re-sewn.
The rusting metal hanging pole was treated, turning the colour back to black and preventing further rusting. The entire banner was manually cleaned to remove dust.
An interesting item was found inside the banner: a poster which had been used to stiffen the banner, which advertised a cycling race that took place in 1917. I collected the pieces and the poster was subsequently conserved by the student conservators of Book and Paper.
Appliquéd sun before treatment
Appliquéd sun after treatment
Bottom of banner before treatment
Bottom of banner after treatment
Hanging system before treatment
Conserved hanging system ready to be installed under the new lining
Fragments of poster found inside the banner
Poster after conservation by the book and paper students
The blue banner of the Christian Factory and Transport Workers’ Union was in much better condition, and required only some camouflage treatment and protection of one element of appliqué decoration.
Appliquéd book before treatment
Appliquéd book after treatment
Front of banner before conservation
Back of banner