1933 London Underground Pocket Map 2nd Design - HC Beck
Underground Railways of London 1933.
Designed by HC Beck. Printed by Waterlow & Sons for London Undeground Group. No Print Code. Size: 20cm x 14.3cm. Card bi-fold map. Condition: Outstanding unused.
Having initially rejected Harry Becks design in 1931 on the grounds of being too revolutionary, the Underground Group Publicity Department tentatively published Becks map in January 1933 - to overwhelming enthusiasm from the public. The first distinct series of pocket maps by HC Beck ran from 1933-1938, all strikingly similar to the 1933 edition with their rich blue borders and evolving subtly with each iteration.
This edition is sees the 1st revision of Becks January 1933 diagram, with diamond interchanges replaced with circles (as they are today) among many other subtle changes (most for the better). This was the only HC Beck map not to feature a date or print code. However, it is widely believed that this map dates to around July 1933 when the various Underground Railway companies all fell into public ownership under the newly created London Passenger Transport Board (LPTB) - as shown in the roundel logo.
Much to Becks frustration, this map also features a north pointer, added by another member of the Drawing Office staff who perhaps missed the point (no pun intended) of a diagrammatic map. This was removed just a month later.
Underground Railways of London 1933.
Designed by HC Beck. Printed by Waterlow & Sons for London Undeground Group. No Print Code. Size: 20cm x 14.3cm. Card bi-fold map. Condition: Outstanding unused.
Having initially rejected Harry Becks design in 1931 on the grounds of being too revolutionary, the Underground Group Publicity Department tentatively published Becks map in January 1933 - to overwhelming enthusiasm from the public. The first distinct series of pocket maps by HC Beck ran from 1933-1938, all strikingly similar to the 1933 edition with their rich blue borders and evolving subtly with each iteration.
This edition is sees the 1st revision of Becks January 1933 diagram, with diamond interchanges replaced with circles (as they are today) among many other subtle changes (most for the better). This was the only HC Beck map not to feature a date or print code. However, it is widely believed that this map dates to around July 1933 when the various Underground Railway companies all fell into public ownership under the newly created London Passenger Transport Board (LPTB) - as shown in the roundel logo.
Much to Becks frustration, this map also features a north pointer, added by another member of the Drawing Office staff who perhaps missed the point (no pun intended) of a diagrammatic map. This was removed just a month later.
Underground Railways of London 1933.
Designed by HC Beck. Printed by Waterlow & Sons for London Undeground Group. No Print Code. Size: 20cm x 14.3cm. Card bi-fold map. Condition: Outstanding unused.
Having initially rejected Harry Becks design in 1931 on the grounds of being too revolutionary, the Underground Group Publicity Department tentatively published Becks map in January 1933 - to overwhelming enthusiasm from the public. The first distinct series of pocket maps by HC Beck ran from 1933-1938, all strikingly similar to the 1933 edition with their rich blue borders and evolving subtly with each iteration.
This edition is sees the 1st revision of Becks January 1933 diagram, with diamond interchanges replaced with circles (as they are today) among many other subtle changes (most for the better). This was the only HC Beck map not to feature a date or print code. However, it is widely believed that this map dates to around July 1933 when the various Underground Railway companies all fell into public ownership under the newly created London Passenger Transport Board (LPTB) - as shown in the roundel logo.
Much to Becks frustration, this map also features a north pointer, added by another member of the Drawing Office staff who perhaps missed the point (no pun intended) of a diagrammatic map. This was removed just a month later.
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