The union was founded in 1866 as the London General Association of Amalgamated House Painters.
It was formed by various local unions which were undertaking a strike for increased wages.
[1] In 1873, Shipton reorganised the union, under the Amalgamated Society of House Decorators and Painters name.
Subscriptions and benefit payments were set at lower rates, and the union began a gradual growth, reaching 663 members in 1876, 1,067 in 1886, and 5,165 in 1900.
[1] In 1904, the union merged into the National Amalgamated Society of Operative House and Ship Painters and Decorators.