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Distributed for University of Wales Press

Made by Labour

A Material and Visual History of British Labour, c. 1780–1924

An accessible, lavishly illustrated overview of British labor history.

This book presents a lavishly illustrated history of British labor, represented by the material objects that were made, used, and cherished by working people from the late eighteenth to early twentieth centuries. In addition to an extensive collection of photographs, each expertly described and contextualized, the book includes a thoroughly researched introduction examining the nature of labor’s material and visual culture, a chapter on the conservation and preservation of labor’s material heritage, a directory of places where items may be viewed, and a full bibliography. It is a scholarly resource, an image gallery, and a student handbook—all rolled into one.

344 pages | 50 color plates and 50 halftones | 7 1/2 x 9 3/4 | © 2023

History: British and Irish History


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Reviews

"This beautifully produced book tackles labour history from a new and fascinating angle . . . The book draws together the arts of curation and interpretation, and explores central theses of labour historiography and the emergence of working-class consciousness, including a discussion of issues of gender, class and race in working-class organisations."

The Morning Star

"Drawing on a wide-ranging of artefacts, Mansfield and Wright provide a fresh approach to British labour history. The large number of beautiful illustrations are a pleasure to view, accompanied by astute assessments of each item. Much was new to me. Very enjoyable and enlightening."

Emeritus Professor Chris Wrigley, Nottingham University

"This compilation of objects and images provides a rare and invaluable multi-dimensional view of the politics and culture of the British Labour movement – from its roots in the eighteenth century to the moment of its ascendancy in 1922 – while also reminding us of the continuing power and significance of historical artefacts." 

Professor Sir Deian Hopkin, vice-president of Llafur: The Welsh People's History Society

Table of Contents

Part One: Interpretative Essay

Part Two: Images and Objects.
(i). The Origins of the Modern Labour Movement (1700s – 1830s)
(ii). The Struggle for Political Reform (1770-1832)
(iii). Labour, Politics and Anti-Politics (1820s – 1850s)
(iv). A ‘Servile Generation’? (1850s-1880s)
(v). Great Depression, New Ideas? (1880s-1900s)
(vi). Labour and Politics (1900s – 1920s)

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