Coal Face Collection

Miners working at the coalface, South Wales
Two miners, stripped to the waist, working at the coalface in a coal seam in South Wales

Miner working at the coalface, South Wales
A miner, stripped to the waist, working at the coalface in a mine in South Wales

An engraving depicting the bottom of a pit shaft showing the corves being sent to the surface
5311243 An engraving depicting the bottom of a pit shaft showing the corves being sent to the surface, a pony drawing clear corves back to the coal face and, left

An engraving depicting a miner working at the coal face using a pick, 19th century
5310990 An engraving depicting a miner working at the coal face using a pick, 19th century; (add.info.: Date: 1877); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Miners working underground at the coal face (litho)
6014255 Miners working underground at the coal face (litho) by Ward, Enoch (1859-1922); Private Collection; (add.info.: Miners working underground at the coal face)

United Mine Workers Certificate, 1890 (coloured engraving)
NYH188440 United Mine Workers Certificate, 1890 (coloured engraving) by American School, (19th century); Collection of the New-York Historical Society, USA; eNew York Historical Society; American

Coal miners (chromolitho)
2817178 Coal miners (chromolitho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Coal miners. Educational card, late 19th or early 20th century.); © Look and Learn

Holing at a coalface. Historical artwork of a miner engaging in the technique known as holing. This was a method used for extracting coal

Coalface workers, Baldwins Level, Pontypool, South Wales
Two coalface workers at Baldwins Level, near Pontypool, South Wales

Boy Working at Coalface
OLDER BOY WORKING WITH A PICK Young men work as getters from age 18 : they work from as little as eleven to as much as 18 hours a day

Boy Working at Coalface
BOY WORKING A LOW SEAM Eighteen is the age at which boys are allowed to get coal, and they are at that age considered " three-quarters of a man (from the Report)

For sale as Licensed Images

Choose your image, Select your licence and Download the media

At the heart of South Wales, where grit and determination meet darkness and danger, miners toil relentlessly at the coalface. With their faces smeared with sweat and grime, these brave individuals delve deep into the belly of the earth in search of black gold. In this captivating lithograph from yesteryears, we witness a miner working diligently at the coalface. His weathered hands grip his tools tightly as he chips away at the unforgiving rock. The flickering light from his helmet casts eerie shadows on his determined face, revealing both exhaustion and resilience. This chromolitho captures a poignant moment in history when miners united under one cause - their livelihoods entwined with each swing of their pickaxes. Their camaraderie is palpable as they stand shoulder to shoulder underground, facing adversity together at the coalface. A glimpse into an era long gone by reveals an intricately colored engraving depicting a United Mine Workers Certificate from 1890. This cherished document symbolizes not only membership but also pride for those who risked life and limb daily beneath treacherous tunnels. Even amidst such perilous conditions, it seems that age was no barrier for these courageous souls. A young boy can be seen alongside seasoned miners in another image titled "Boy Working at Coalface. " Despite his tender years, he too contributes to this arduous labor with unwavering determination etched upon his youthful face. Holing at a coalface requires immense skill and precision; it is here that true mastery is honed. Miners expertly navigate through narrow seams while battling against time itself – every second counts when extracting precious resources from Mother Earth's embrace. Baldwins Level in Pontypool becomes our backdrop once again as we observe yet another snapshot capturing coalface workers immersed in their craft. These men possess an indomitable spirit that has been passed down through generations – a legacy forged by sacrifice, resilience, and an unwavering work ethic.