From the 1800’s to the late 1950’s coal was the most popular fuel for heating homes, businesses, and schools in the Northern U.S. until it was replaced by oil burning furnaces afterwards. Blue Coal was once popular and trademarked coal mined by Glen Alden Coal Company in Pennsylvania, and sprayed with a blue dye at the mine before shipping to its northeastern U.S. markets to distinguish it from its competitors. This small embossed sign told F.L. Rounds store customers they were buying genuine “blue coal” and would have hung on a pole outside the general store. The sign features rounded corners and two small holes for mounting. Some small bends around the mounting holes and slight bends on the left side of the sign can be seen under the light. A small scratch on the right top corner along with some small chips around the outside lip add to the history of this sign. 18139-QUP