Certificate of Membership of the Society of Copper-Plate Printers 1800 - 1900

This is Edward Francis Burney's "Certificate of Membership of the Society of Copper-Plate Printers," made sometime between 1760 and 1848. Burney, nephew of the novelist Fanny Burney, lived in a rapidly changing world where the printing press was becoming ever more important. The certificate is an intriguing object. At first glance, it’s an official document, yet it is embellished with classical figures and ornate script. Consider the implications of being a member of such a society. Who was included, and perhaps more importantly, who was excluded? The certificate quietly speaks to the power dynamics inherent in craft guilds and the control of knowledge and skill in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It prompts us to reflect on the value of belonging, and what it means to be recognized within a community of practice. This certificate embodies the intersection of art, labor, and social identity during a pivotal time in British history.