The National Society of Lithographic Artists, Designers and Writers, Copperplate and Wood Engravers was formed in 1885. It was renamed the Amalgamated Society of Lithographic Artists, Designers and Writers, Copperplate and Wood Engravers in 1886, the Amalgamated Society of Lithographic Artists, Designers and Engravers in 1897, the Amalgamated Society of Lithographic Artists, Designers, Engravers and Process Workers in 1902, and the Society of Lithographic Artists, Designers, Engravers and Process Workers (SLADE) in 1922. It retained this name until 1982, when it amalgamated with the National Graphical Association (NGA) to form the National Graphical Association (1982).

The main source for membership information is the series of annual reports (MSS.39/S/4/1/1-59), which run from 1885 to 1980 (they are actually half-yearly reports from 1885 to 1887).

Branches

Branches existed in the following towns (with dates of existence): Aberdeen (1888-1982), Banbury (1911-1935, 1947-1962; members transferred to Birmingham), Belfast (1888-1972), Birmingham (1885-1982), Bolton (1900-1956l; members transferred to Manchester), Bournemouth (1958-1963; members transferred to Bristol), Bradford (1885-1969; members transferred to Leeds), Brighton (1946-1971), Bristol (1890-1975; renamed South & West), Brixton & Norwood (1900-1904; formerly West Norwood; members transferred to London), Cambridge (1958-1982), Carlisle (1909-1973; members transferred to Manchester), Central (1925-1966; for members in towns in Southern England without branches and members abroad), Coventry (1916-1969; members transferred to Birmingham), Crawley (1957-1972; members transferred to South-East), Derby (1885-1971; members transferred to East Midland), Dublin (1885-1894, 1897-1967; renamed Republic of Ireland), Dundee (1906-1982), East Midland (1971-1982), Edinburgh (1888-1982), Glasgow (1888-1982), Hanley (1885-1914; renamed Stoke-on-Trent), Hastings (1948-1972; members transferred to South-East), High Wycombe (1953-1982), Hull (1888-1898; members transferred to Leeds; 1908-1971; members transferred to North-East), Ipswich (1947-1982), Kent (1965-1982; formerly Tonbridge), Leeds (1885-1982), Leicester (1885-1971; members transferred to East Midland), Liverpool (1896-1982), London (1894-1982), Luton (1947-1964; members transferred to Watford), Maidstone (1890-1891), Manchester (1885-1982), Mansfield (1907-1918; members transferred to Nottingham), Middlesbrough (1952-1968; members transferred to Leeds), Newcastle (1885-1971; members transferred to North-East), Northampton (1931-1982), North-East (1971-1982), Norwich (1894-1895, 1903-1982), Nottingham (1885-1971; members transferred to East Midland), Oxford (see Reading), Peterborough (1964-1982), Plymouth (1949-1952; members transferred to Taunton), Portsmouth (1960-1982), Reading & Oxford (1935-1972; members transferred to South-East), Republic of Ireland (1967-1982; formerly Dublin), Scarborough (1956-1971; members transferred to North-East), Sheffield (1907-1969; members transferred to Leeds), Southampton (1896-1967; members transferred to Bristol), South & West (1975-1982; formerly Bristol), South-East (1972-1982), South-East Essex (1962-1982), Stoke-on-Trent (1914-1970; formerly Hanley; members transferred to Manchester), Taunton (1945-1975; members transferred to South & West), Tonbridge (1947-1965; renamed Kent), Tunbridge Wells (1908-1915), Watford (1896-1982), West Norwood (1898-1900; renamed Brixton & Norwood), Wimbledon (1908-1909; members transferred to London), Wolverhampton (1919-1962; members transferred to Birmingham), York (1920-1921, 1926-1971; members transferred to North-East).

Full membership lists

The annual reports contain full lists of the membership of each branch from 1885 to 1953, with name and union number only.

In December 1919 a register of every member who had joined to date was compiled (MSS.39/S/2/1), with name, date of birth, date of admission, profession, branch, and year of exclusion, superannuation, resignation or death (if appropriate). This register has been digitised by Findmypast and can be searched through their website (charges apply to view images and transcriptions of the volume).

New members

The half-yearly reports from 1885 to 1887 list members admitted since the last report.

Transferred members

Members transferring from one branch to another are listed in the annual reports from 1885 to 1965, with name and the branches transferred from and to.

Removed members

Members leaving the union for whatever reason (including exclusion due to unpaid dues, emigration or resignation) are listed in the annual reports from 1885 to 1965, with name, branch, year of admission (from 1895) and reason for removal (including the country emigrated to if appropriate).

Deceased members

Deceased members are listed in the annual reports from 1885 to 1980, with name, branch (1891-1894, 1903-1980), address (1885-1890 only), age and (until 1950) cause of death.

Deceased wives are listed from 1926 to 1980, with member's name and branch only.

Superannuated members

Superannuated (pensioned) members are listed in the annual reports from 1913 to 1929 and from 1938 to 1965, with name, branch and date of superannuation.

War service

Each annual report from 1914 to 1917 includes a roll of honour listing every member who had joined HM Forces to date, with name and branch only. The 1918 report only includes a list of men who had joined since the previous report. Members who died on active service in both World Wars are listed in the obituaries section as usual.