Anthracite coal

Anthracite is a hard, compact variety of mineral coal, of high luster, differing from bituminous coal in containing little or no bitumen, in consequence of which it burns with a nearly non luminous flame. The purer specimens consist almost wholly of carbon.

It was first experimentally burned as a fuel on February 11, 1808.

Anthacite delivers high energy per weight and burns cleanly with little soot, making it a sought after variety of coal and hence of higher price.

In the USA in the early 20th century, the Lackawanna Railroad started using only the more expensive anthracite coal, dubbed themselves "The Road of Anthracite", and advertised widely that thanks to this travelers on their line could make railway journeys without getting their clothing stained with soot. The advertisiments featured a white clad woman named "Phoebe Snow" and poems containing lines like "My gown stays white/ From morn till night/ Upon the road of Anthracite".