Image: A family enjoying a cricket match at Creswell Colliery, Derbyshire, c.1950-60.
This photograph was taken by Harold White, who was commissioned by the NCB to record the newly nationalised industry. This image is one of over 800 from this unique collection held at the National Coal Mining Museum for England. P10960 © Photograph from the Harold White collection held at the National Coal Mining Museum for England.

The Museum has also gathered an interesting array of material recording the pre-nationalised industry. This includes an unusual set of stereoscopic cards used to promote a Midlands-based coal company.  When looked at separately, the cards appear to show two identical photographs side by side, but when you look at them from behind a special viewer they come to life in 3D. 

Image: Hand-drilling at Grimethorpe Colliery, South Yorkshire, c.1950s.
P5053 © Crown copyright material is reproduced with the permission of the controller of HSMO and Queen's Printer for Scotland.

Several important collections have also been acquired that include material related to major manufacturers of mining machinery, such as British Jeffrey Diamond, and also individuals who were commissioned by the National Coal Board (NCB), later British Coal, to record the nationalised industry. Together this fascinating collection offers a significant visual record of the industry, from below ground to pit top, and the miners' lives at work and leisure.  These powerful images show the best of times for the industry, but are also poignant reminders of its worst.

Image: Salvage lorry with a 24 x 20 MKI Flex-Tooth Turnings Crusher leaving the British Jeffrey Diamond works at Stennard Island, Wakefield, c.1939-45.
P13954 © IMH Group

The Museum welcomes enquiries about the collection, but regrets that we can offer only  a limited picture research service. If more in-depth research is required, we would be delighted to make an appointment for you to view the collection in person.