Coal has played a vital part in the British economy for more than 300 years and was the foundation of the industrial revolution which made Britain 'the workshop of the world.'... The industry has long held the fascination of writers and artists, and the National Coal Board have been glad to join with the Arts Council of Great Britain in organizing the most comprehensive exhibition of mining art ever assembled in Great Britain. The works cover the whole range of the industry's operations from coalface to customer and admirably display the particular character of both coalmines and the men who have worked in them over the years...