Finding Aids

Anthracite is a metamorphosed type of coal that contains a high carbon content and is extremely hard, it burns slowly producing little smoke. This item is a viewbook or fold-out packet of twenty-seven black and white halftone photograph reproductions of various activities at a coal mine, images are connected by accordion folds published by Jones & Evans; Scranton News Company, distributors.

Coal Lands Securities Co. was one of several mining companies owned in large portion by Thomas J. Foster (1843-1936), a publisher. Lackawanna Coal and Lumber Company and Highland Lumber Company were also part of Foster's holdings. The album contains photographs taken during an inspection trip made by a party from the Coal Lands Securities Company to properties in West Virginia owned by the Lackawanna Coal and Lumber Company and the Highland Lumber Company.

The St. Clair Coal Company was a medium-sized independent anthracite producer located near Saint Clair, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. Photographs from St. Clair Coal Company show miners at work, collieries, storage banks, an aerial view of the operation, strip mining, a yard locomotive (probably built by Vulcan Locomotive), and the office.