Mining Memorabilia -Miscellaneous Artifact Groups
In addition to those types of mining memorabilia described on the preceding pages there is a huge range of miscellaneous mining artifacts that are either well established collecting/research themes or are becoming of increased interest to many. These additional groups include;
Postcards with a mining theme. In particular collieries or Cornish tin/copper mines.
"In Memoriam" souvenirs. In the event of a pit disaster it was once common for the local community or miners' union lodge to commission commemorative postcards, decorated serviettes, inscribed glassware and even printed poem sheets bearing the names and ages of those killed plus the mine name and date of the disaster. These items were sold to raise funds for the bereaved families. In the case of the 1909 West Stanley Colliery disaster small miners lamps/lanterns were also sold to raise funds. In addition it was common practice for the relief organizers to issue the bereaved families with an inscribed bible listing the names of all those who had lost their lives.
A postcard sold to raise funds for the eight bereaved families of the fatal mine cage accident at the Busty Pit (Medomsley, Co. Durham) in 1923.
Colliery commemorative china plates.
Enamelled mine cage or haulage call bell signs and notices.
Mining company share certificates.
Mining paper ephemera, especially mining company letter heads plus coal delivery or coal wagon identification slips.
Mining related blasting and explosive equipment.
A 5lb capacity explosives carrying canister of the standard N.C.B. design. Note the standard N.C.B. type of identification tally/tag on the canisters' lid. These canisters were usually constructed of plied rubber/canvas conveyor belting material. The lids were lockable and could only be opened using a brass shot firers key. This example is one of two found by NMMA members during a field visit to the now closed private drift mine of "Cwm Glo" near Blaenavon, South Whales. No doubt it originated from the near by N.C.B. "Big Pit" colliery.
Mines rescue equipment.
Named/stamped Colliery house bricks plus "Scorrier Bricks" made from the waste slag of iron, copper or tin smelting. The latter slag bricks often bear the name of the company who produced them and are common in areas such as Cornwall.
Two house bricks made at the colliery brickyards of the (S.M.C.C.Ld.) Southmoor Coal Company Ltd. (Co. Durham) & Bretby Colliery (South Derbyshire).
Colliery or N.C.B. owned farm milk bottles plus other stone or glass bottles with a mining theme in their embossed or pictorial designs.
Mining related tools plus miscellaneous items of equipment.
Antique books, prints and photographs depicting mining scenes.
A hand coloured engraving from The Illustrated London News of 28th of February 1857. The title is "LUNDHILL COLLIERY, BARNSLEY, THE SCENE OF THE RECENT EXPLOSION"
Pit pony related items.
Welsh Colliers' Snuff & Twist Tobacco Tins/boxes.
Colliery owned/operated Railway & Bus Tickets.
A selection of Colliery Railway & Bus Tickets. Note the special tickets used for Dogs plus Bicycles and prams! Five out of the six illustrated examples were issued by the Harton Coal Company (which after 1947 became part of the N.C.B.) for use on their privately owned/operated railway and bus services serving the route between South Sheilds and Whitburn Colliery (Co. Durham). The remaining example was issued pre 1947 by the Ashington Coal Company (A.C.C. Ltd.) for workmen traveling between Ashington and Ellington Colliery (Northumberland).