Rufus "Red" Ribble possesses the legacy of creating the most extraordinary collection of historical coalfield panoramic images in existence. From 1919 through 1957, he traveled the roadways of Fayette, Raleigh, Kanawha, Wyoming, Boone, Mercer, Greenbrier and Nicholas counties, West Virginia photographing coal miners, coal towns, family reunions, club events, church congregations, and schools.
The uniqueness of Ribble's work resulted from the large format Cirkut Camera with which he made his photographs. The Cirkut Camera, which was produced by a division of Eastman Kodak in 1904, was designed for taking photographs of large groups or landscapes. The camera revolves on a geared tripod while exposing the film, making it capable of taking a continuous photograph that can capture a full 360-degree view. The finished photograph, as taken by Ribble, was eight inches high and up to four feet long. Prints were made by contact printing of the full size negative, producing a sharp, clear image.
Between 1919 and his retirement in 1957, it is estimated that Ribble produed over 600 panoramic Cirkut photographs. These photographs are now included in the unique collection offered by GEM Photography to coal mining enthusiasts from around the world.
Historical Coal Mining Photography 1919-1957
The unique capabilities of Cirkut Photography have created a pictorial record of the early coalfields that is unparallelled by any other collection. These photos not only tell the tales of miners on the job but also introduces viewers to the towns where they lived, the churches they attended, and their everyday lives. It is truly a 360-degree view into the coal boom world of half a century ago.
Click here to see some photos in our collection