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Dear visitor,

a sincere welcome to my homepage. May I invite you on a trip to the golden age of the great coal mining area at the rivers of Ruhr, Lippe and Emscher – called "Ruhrrevier".

The varied subjects of superb early picture postcards take you back to years between 1900 and 1923. 1923 was the year when the Ruhrrevier mining centre was occupied by Belgian and French troops. At that time when telephone communication was not so developed or so available, people used to write millions of postcards instead. Among the numerous subjects of theses, there are many beautiful picture postcards of old mines from the Ruhrrevier, preserved now in specialist collections. Today, unfortunately most of the mines have disappeard for ever and those that survive face an uncertain future. It is only a matter of time until the last pit will be closed down, and the very familiar scenery of headgears, staks, and collieries which has lasted more than 150 years will be irreversibly reduced.

Each colliery has its own and in many cases very exciting history. The picture postcards on this homepage are without exception from my own collection. Each card is carefully commented with much background information. Those details on the history of the mines are taken generally from one special book:

"Die Steinkohlenzechen im Ruhrrevier". Author: Joachim Huske, 1997.

I am deeply indebted to Mr. Joachim Huske, Dipl.-Ing. who supported my attempt to set up this homepage. Last but not least I would like to wish all the best and good luck for the future to those miners still working and their families.

Take your time and relax. Follow me into a fascinating world of the past. Enjoy the trip through the ancient mining area of the Ruhrrevier.

Please note that this homepage is a non-commercial one, designed only for historic or scientific purposes. If, in error, I have overlooked the copyright of others, please do not hesitate to correct me and I will immediately remove those passages from my homepage.