George Tutill

George Tutill (16 April 1817—17 February 1887) was an artist, entrepreneur and manufacturer of banners. He was born in Howden, Yorkshire, he had founded his business by 1847 which became renowned for supplying trade unions, Sunday schools, chapels, and friendly societies with banners and regalia. The company, eventually located at 83 City Road, London, also offered a range of products including flags, badges, brooches and stationary. It exported goods globally, with Tutill personally traveling to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand in the late 1870s and 1880s to find new customers and exhibit products.

Tutill's banners were robust and lightweight and could reach up to 12 ft (3.7 m) by 11 ft (3.4 m) in size, featuring illustrations painted or woven directly onto the silk. The banners were often flown at public events and union gatherings. Their ubiquity reflected the growing social and political significance of the working class. The banners’ designs became standardised over time, featuring a central medallion or roundel surrounded by decorative foliage and lettering.

Tutill was also an artist and was most prolific in landscape paintings, which he exhibited in both the Royal Academy of Arts and the Royal Society of Arts. He was additionally actively involved with the friendly society the Ancient Order of Foresters, serving as deputy chairman and District Chief Ranger.

After Tutill's death in 1887, his business was left to his daughter Georgina Lewis. The company relocated to Chesham and gradually moved away from banner manufacturing in favour of flag-making. Tutill has been recognised as defining the artistic style of trade union and similar banners, and for turning the banner-making craft into an industry.