The British Printer

[Dave Hughes]

The much-maligned (by some) British worker is satirised in this undated postcard posted on Flickr by platen-printer

It looks as though it could be part of a series. I like the way the artist has covered both letterpress and (early) litho printers! Possibly 1950s/60s in date.

[printsmurf]

This was one of a set of comic postcards on the subject of The British Workman, dating from the very early 20th century.

Other trades included - bricklayer (as shown), mechanic, plumber, carpenter and painter.


Bizarrely this postcard was included. The wording 'THE BRITISH WORKMAN' is the same as the above but there is  other wording on front of the card. This may be another series and dates from 1911

[Dave Hughes]

Thanks for posting those @printsmurf - although the last one has given the cards a slightly sinister edge.

They seem to have been produced by someone who has a very dim view of the "working class" in general.

It makes me wonder who the target audience for these cards was.

[printsmurf]

Further investigation has only thrown light on the postcard issued in 1911 which shows the 'British Workman' indulging in domestic violence. This was in a set of six cards which all show the British Workman in a dim light!

A wide variety of cards were produced by H Vertigen & Co, London; the majority being printed in Saxony. From November 1909 the company traded as "H. V. & Co. Ltd." but seems to have stopped trading shortly afterwards.

I can find no definitive information on the original postcard.

[Dave Hughes]

A wide variety of cards were produced by H Vertigen & Co, London; the majority being printed in Saxony.

Maybe the British were unpopular with the Germans at that time.