The Diggers Declaration 1649

The Diggers Declaration from the Poor oppressed People of England, June 1649

In the 17th Century - in the context of the English Revolution and the abolition of the monarchy, various movements emerged attempting create some form of egalitarian society. One group of people became known as the Diggers, because of their attempts to set up communal farms on common land.

Our poster celebrating the Diggers is the front page of the Diggers "Declaration", which was signed by Gerard Winstanley and over 40 others.

You can read the whole Declaration here.

Radical posters before the 20th century were predominantly text-based, primarily used to advertise events, meetings, and demonstrations rather than relying on colourful graphic imagery to convey ideas. While some did incorporate sketches or cartoons, these were relatively modest compared to the bold visual styles that emerged later.

Although the technology for producing striking graphics existed at the time and was widely used in commercial advertising, such vivid and imaginative designs were less common in political posters. It wasn’t until later that the kind of dynamic, visually arresting imagery often associated with the Russian and Spanish Revolutions blossomed in radical posters.

The posters in our pre-20th century selection reflect this earlier approach – they focus squarely on delivering a direct message, often employing dramatic language and typography to capture attention and provoke thought.