Portrait of a Bookbinder Commemorating a Bookbinders Strike and Imprisonment in 1786

James Fraser (1740-1802) was a well-known London bookbinder,  and one of "The Prosecuting Masters" in a bookbinding dispute in 1786 when five journeymen bookbinders were imprisoned for "combination" or forming a "union". This print, which commemorated the binder's strike in subtle ways, was published in 1807. It may be the only print that relates to bookbinders' labor disputes published during this period. While the precise reason why this print was published in 1807 may be unknown, labor disputes between bookbinders and their employers were ongoing, and strikes, which were infrequent, typically resulted in imprisonment as trade unions were illegal in England until 1824 strikes were illegal in England until 1875. 

The paper that Fraser holds refers to this early trade union action when the Trade Societies "The United Friends," "The Brothers and "The City Brothers" combined in an attempt to have their work day reduced by one hour from the existing 13 hour schedule from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Only after these 13 working hours did the masters pay overtime. Within this grueling schedule the binders had a half-hour break for breakfast and an hour for dinner.

Because striking was illegal the book binders failed in their attempt. The five "Martyr" bookbinders received two year prison sentences, in which one, William Wood, died in prison. Of the others Thomas Armstrong, William Craig and Thomas Fairbairn went on to become masters in their own right.

For details see British Bookmaker: A Journal for the Book Printer, the Book Illustrator, the Book Cover Designer, the Book Binder, Librarians, and Lovers of Books Generally, Volume 5 (1892).