Chair: W.R. Owens

This panel aims to document the history of the social life of printers from the 1740s until the late 1970s. It will consider various aspects of the social lives of printers and those in related trades over this period. The papers will examine the involvement of those in the book trade in radical political circles; social activities within early typographical societies and then go on to consider the paternalistic attitude of employers in the provision of annual trips and other social and recreational facilities for their employees.

John Hinks will discuss the involvement of book-trade people in civic and political affairs in English provincial towns from 1740 to 1850, focusing on Leicester as a case study. Urban life at this time became politically polarized and sometimes turbulent. Many printers and booksellers made energetic use of their social status and trade skills to promote their political ideas, usually (though not exclusively) in the cause of various shades of radicalism.

Sydney Shep will then examine the beginnings of formalised typographical societies in the Antipodes in the 1860-70s. She will analyze how antipodean print employees tried to replicate the traditions and practices of the old country through the establishment of formalised typographical societies and the introduction of social events such as the wayzgoose and annual dinner.

Sarah Bromage will then focus on the period between the mid 1880s and the late 1960s in Scotland and will consider printers' outings and other sporting and social activities that occurred within printing and papermaking firms such as Annual dinners, Burns Suppers, Football teams, Bowling Clubs, Golf Clubs and printers rowing clubs among others.