South African mining photograph collection

Collection — Container: Small MSS Shared Box 1

Identifier: MSS 609

Scope and Contents

This collection contains 27 photographs of a South African mine, from approximately the 1890s. According to the vendor from whom the photographs were purchased, two larger photos were taken by the commercial photographer Barnett, which appear to show the Great Dynamite Explosion of February 19, 1896, at Braamfontein. The collection highlights the living quarters of both black mine workers and white mine managers, a Boer official, and what appear to be convicts and jail keepers. There are no descriptions of the photos.

Dates

Creation: -

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Biographical / Historical

South African mines in the late 19th century were well developed, run by companies such as the British South Africa Company (BSAC). Companies like the BSAC acted as agents of colonialism throughout Southern Africa. Mines in South Africa were the oldest and best developed, and they served as important points of labor migration for the region. Mines, like the rest of southern African society, were distinctly segregated, with different living conditions for white mine managers and black ine workers.