The Skilled Compositor, 1850-1914 - An Aristocrat Among Working Men (Hardcover, New Ed)

For the first time since its invention over 500 years ago, the print medium is being challenged as the primary means of recording and communicating ideas. Indeed, within the printing industry itself the advent of digital technology has rendered the craft of hand setting metal type obsolete - the days of the skilled compositor are now at an end. Patrick Duffy's work sets out to examine the experiences of the skilled compositor in the period 1850 to 1914. Focusing primarily on the workplace and the workplace institutions, it aims to explore issues of control, co-operation and conflict in order to determine if the compositor did, as many labour historians claim, belong to an aristocracy of labour. Drawing on a wide range of source material from trade society minutes to Parliamentary Papers, the author explores the diversity of experience that compositors had in the workplace and the uneven patterns of change that the trade experienced. The study throws light on some of the issues raised by these changes: what part did ancient craft traditions play in the maintenance of control in the workplace? Why were women excluded from this particular work when they were accepted in most other parts of the trade? To what extent did trade society officials represent the aspirations of the rank and file membership? Starting with an overview of the nature, growth and development of the trade, the book goes on to examine the occupational and social aspects of the compositors' experience, with a chapter devoted to women's role in the printing trade. Finally, the formation, functions and development of relevant trades unions and employers' associations is discussed. This insightful analysis of the experience of the skilled compositor provides a valuable case study for labour historians at the same time furthering our understanding of a somewhat neglected aspect of printing history.

General

Imprint:	Ashgate Publishing Limited
Country of origin:	United Kingdom
Series:	Modern Economic and Social History
Release date:	December 2000
First published:	2000
Authors:	Patrick Duffy
Dimensions:	234 x 156mm (L x W)
Format:	Hardcover
Pages:	248
Edition:	New Ed
ISBN-13:	978-0-7546-0255-2
Categories:	Books > Arts & Architecture > Industrial / commercial art & design > Typography Books > Reference & Interdisciplinary > Interdisciplinary studies > Cultural studies > General Books > Humanities > History > History of specific subjects > Social & cultural history Books > Humanities > History > History of specific subjects > Economic history Books > Social sciences > Sociology, social studies > Social institutions > Work & labour Books > Business & Economics > Industry & industrial studies > Media, information & communication industries > Printing, packaging & reprographic industry Books > History > History of specific subjects > Economic history Books > History > History of specific subjects > Social & cultural history
LSN:	0-7546-0255-9
Barcode:	9780754602552

Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate? Let us know about it.

Does this product have an incorrect or missing image? Send us a new image.

Is this product missing categories? Add more categories.

Review This Product

No reviews yet - be the first to create one!