Pitmen Collection

Coal / Durham Pit Pony
Pitmen hewing the coal, South Durham : a pit pony waits to haul the coal away

Pitmen encamped - evicted coal miner and his dwelling
A miner on strike sits despondently outside his makeshift home, his crutch and dog at his side. Due to lengthy strike action resulting from a wage dispute

Pitmen and boys, 1850
3478430 Pitmen and boys, 1850; (add.info.: Illustration depicting pitmen and boys preparing to go down for the night shift in Durham. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Dinner given by Frances Marchioness of Londonderry to Pitmen, on Chilton Moor (engraving)
1608643 Dinner given by Frances Marchioness of Londonderry to Pitmen, on Chilton Moor (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Celebration of the "Majority"of the Honourable A H Vernon (engraving)
1611948 Celebration of the " Majority" of the Honourable A H Vernon (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Encampments of the Pitmen in Northumberland and Durham (engraving)
1625010 Encampments of the Pitmen in Northumberland and Durham (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Encampments of the Pitmen in Northumberland and Durham)

Pits and Pitmen - The Men Leaving the Pit (engraving)
729297 Pits and Pitmen - The Men Leaving the Pit (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Pits and Pitmen - The Men Leaving the Pit)

Down among the pitmen - preparing a blast in a breast (engraving)
736146 Down among the pitmen - preparing a blast in a breast (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Pitmen Hewing the Coal (engraving)
729294 Pitmen Hewing the Coal (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Pitmen Hewing the Coal. Illustration initialled M W R)

Pits and Pitmen, the Night Shift (engraving)
1052389 Pits and Pitmen, the Night Shift (engraving) by Ridley, Matthew White (1837-88) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Pits and Pitmen, the Night Shift)

Meeting of Pitmen, on Pittington Hill (engraving)
1101179 Meeting of Pitmen, on Pittington Hill (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Meeting of Pitmen, on Pittington Hill)

Pits and Pitmen, the Men leaving the Pit (engraving)
1052396 Pits and Pitmen, the Men leaving the Pit (engraving) by Ridley, Matthew White (1837-88) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Pits and Pitmen, the Men leaving the Pit)

Pits and Pitmen - Coal Whipping in the Pool (engraving)
729296 Pits and Pitmen - Coal Whipping in the Pool (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Pits and Pitmen - Coal Whipping in the Pool)

Dinner given by the Marchioness of Londonderry to 3000 Pitmen, in the Grounds of Seaham Hall (engraving)
1609039 Dinner given by the Marchioness of Londonderry to 3000 Pitmen, in the Grounds of Seaham Hall (engraving) by English School

Pits and Pitmen (engraving)
1052375 Pits and Pitmen (engraving) by Ridley, Matthew White (1837-88) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Pits and Pitmen)

The Recent Coal Crisis, Miners at Play (engraving)
1056071 The Recent Coal Crisis, Miners at Play (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Recent Coal Crisis, Miners at Play)

The Strike of Colliers in Durham (engraving)
1102893 The Strike of Colliers in Durham (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Strike of Colliers in Durham)

Miners enjoying a drink after work. 4th February 1947

Its all a matter of saving fuel although miners wives seeing the new-style ranges to be installed in their South Moor homes

Strike of colliers in Durham 1863
Striking Durham pitmen meet on The Batts, Bishop Auckland. Date: 1863

Pits and pitmen - night-shift 1871
Night-shift down the pits, half an hour before the shift starts at five-thirty in the evening, the miners meet on the pit-heap for a chat by a fire, this engraving was took from Seaham

Pitmens Dwellings, Scot
Pitmens dwellings at Nithshill, Scotland. Date: 1851

Source Size = 2454 x 1759
Meeting of Pitmen, on Pittington Hill

Source Size = 3746 x 2157
The Tenantry and Pitmen Assembling at " the Towers, " at Poynton, Celebration of the " majority" of the Hon. A.H. Vernon

Pits and Pitmen: the Night Shift, 1871; Miners

Mining landscape, 1521 (oil on panel)
XPH308466 Mining landscape, 1521 (oil on panel) by Hesse, Hans (1497-1521); St. Annenkirche, Annaberg-Buchholz, Saxony, Germany; (add.info)

Mining landscape, 1521 (oil on panel) (detail of 308463)
XPH308469 Mining landscape, 1521 (oil on panel) (detail of 308463) by Hesse, Hans (1497-1521); St. Annenkirche, Annaberg-Buchholz, Saxony

Pitmen Hewing the Coal in a Mine, 1871

Coal miners or pitmen in the Northumberland and Durham Coalfield, England, enjoying a game of quoits. Engraving from The Graphic (London, 18 February 1871)

South Durham Coalfield, England. Miners or pitmen sitting round a brazier waiting to go underground for the night shift. The man in the centre foregound is holding a Davy safety lamp

Pits and Pitmen: the Night Shift, 1871; Miners

Pitmen Hewing the Coal in a Mine, 1871

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

"Pitmen: The Unsung Heroes of Coal and Community" In the heartland of Durham, where the earth's black gold lay hidden beneath the surface, a brotherhood toiled tirelessly. These courageous men formed an integral part of the region's rich mining history, their lives intertwined with coal and camaraderie. Amongst them stood majestic Durham Pit Ponies, loyal companions who shared their daily struggles underground. Together they braved the darkness, forging a bond that transcended words. Frances Marchioness of Londonderry recognized their unwavering dedication and hosted a grand dinner on Chilton Moor in their honor. A momentous occasion that celebrated not only their labor but also highlighted the importance of unity within communities. Engravings captured these pivotal moments - from encampments in Northumberland and Durham to gatherings atop Pittington Hill. Each stroke immortalized the spirit of resilience etched upon every pitman's face. Down among them, amidst dust-filled air and echoing sounds, preparations for blasts were meticulously carried out. Their expertise ensured safety while extracting precious coal from deep within Mother Earth's embrace. With pencil on paper, artists depicted scenes where pitmen hewed coal with unyielding determination. Sweat glistened upon brows as muscles strained against unforgiving rock walls - a testament to their indomitable spirit. Even during night shifts when shadows danced eerily across deserted pits, these brave souls persevered undeterred by darkness or fatigue. They knew that light would eventually pierce through once more. Coal whipping in pools became another vivid image etched into memory - an arduous task demanding strength and precision as they conquered nature's elements one bucket at a time. Amidst this backdrop emerged celebrations marking milestones like "Majority"of Honourable A H Vernon – moments when achievements were collectively rejoiced as victories for all pitmen alike.