Robert Tressell Centenary T-Shirt

From Philosophy Football:
100 years ago today Robert Tressell, author of the inspirational The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists died. Posthumously published, his book was described by Robert on the title page as "Twelve months in hell, told by one of the damned." A tale of agitation and organisation, battling against the tide of apathy, confronting the small-time capitalists who seek to keep their employees in line. The main character of the book, Frank Owen, seeks over and over again to win his fellow workers to the socialist cause, most famously with the 'money trick', perhaps the best, certainly the most entertaining, explanation of Marx's theory of surplus value! Owen doesn't always win the argument but he never gives up believing in "the Golden Light that will be diffused throughout all the happy world from the rays of the risen sun of Socialism."

To celebrate the centenary, T-shirt makers Philosophy Football have produced an original design of a 'Paintbrush & Sickle' combining the tradition tool of the trade of Tressell's hero, Frank Owen, painting and decorating with a hint of Lissitsky's clasic 'Red Wedge' and a suggestion of the spirit of a joyful socialism which paints the town red.

Edited to add: Those near Hastings might be interested in this commemorative event this Saturday, - see also Tony Benn's thoughts.