Harry Beck Original Artwork - London Underground Map (c.1950)
Unsigned. Artwork by Harry Beck (1902-1974). Crayon, pencil and ink on linen-backed paper. Measures 77cm x 77cm. Circa 1950.
A detailed handwriting analysis has revealed that this draft segment of the London Underground map is by Harry Beck, the creator of the iconic London Underground diagram. The drawing features the bottom left of the diagram, with further parts of the network sketched in lightly with pencil. A ‘London Transport’ roundel has also been sketched.
Following the introduction of his diagrammatic map in 1933, Harry Beck served as the map’s designer for a further 27 years. Over nearly three decades, Beck worked obsessively on the map in the pursuit for greater clarity whilst updating it with the latest developments to the network. He also had to accommodate suggestions from senior management, in most cases reluctantly.
It was for such an ‘accommodation’ that Beck produced this draft segment; repositioning Richmond (District Line) back alongside the River Thames. From the 1943 map, Richmond had appeared some way south of the River and this was considered unhelpful, even on a diagrammatic map. This draft was presumably for internal presentation which was subsequently approved; the redesign of the District Line appeared on maps from Jan 1951.
The handwriting analysis compared the hastily written stations names with Beck’s personal notebooks (held in a private collection). These notebooks provided a great source of Beck’s draft lettering and allowed for a robust attribution to Beck. Two further sources were compared with a positive match.
A printed copy of the 22-page handwriting analysis is provided with the drawing.
Free UK Delivery. For Non-UK Delivery please request quotation.
Unsigned. Artwork by Harry Beck (1902-1974). Crayon, pencil and ink on linen-backed paper. Measures 77cm x 77cm. Circa 1950.
A detailed handwriting analysis has revealed that this draft segment of the London Underground map is by Harry Beck, the creator of the iconic London Underground diagram. The drawing features the bottom left of the diagram, with further parts of the network sketched in lightly with pencil. A ‘London Transport’ roundel has also been sketched.
Following the introduction of his diagrammatic map in 1933, Harry Beck served as the map’s designer for a further 27 years. Over nearly three decades, Beck worked obsessively on the map in the pursuit for greater clarity whilst updating it with the latest developments to the network. He also had to accommodate suggestions from senior management, in most cases reluctantly.
It was for such an ‘accommodation’ that Beck produced this draft segment; repositioning Richmond (District Line) back alongside the River Thames. From the 1943 map, Richmond had appeared some way south of the River and this was considered unhelpful, even on a diagrammatic map. This draft was presumably for internal presentation which was subsequently approved; the redesign of the District Line appeared on maps from Jan 1951.
The handwriting analysis compared the hastily written stations names with Beck’s personal notebooks (held in a private collection). These notebooks provided a great source of Beck’s draft lettering and allowed for a robust attribution to Beck. Two further sources were compared with a positive match.
A printed copy of the 22-page handwriting analysis is provided with the drawing.
Free UK Delivery. For Non-UK Delivery please request quotation.
Unsigned. Artwork by Harry Beck (1902-1974). Crayon, pencil and ink on linen-backed paper. Measures 77cm x 77cm. Circa 1950.
A detailed handwriting analysis has revealed that this draft segment of the London Underground map is by Harry Beck, the creator of the iconic London Underground diagram. The drawing features the bottom left of the diagram, with further parts of the network sketched in lightly with pencil. A ‘London Transport’ roundel has also been sketched.
Following the introduction of his diagrammatic map in 1933, Harry Beck served as the map’s designer for a further 27 years. Over nearly three decades, Beck worked obsessively on the map in the pursuit for greater clarity whilst updating it with the latest developments to the network. He also had to accommodate suggestions from senior management, in most cases reluctantly.
It was for such an ‘accommodation’ that Beck produced this draft segment; repositioning Richmond (District Line) back alongside the River Thames. From the 1943 map, Richmond had appeared some way south of the River and this was considered unhelpful, even on a diagrammatic map. This draft was presumably for internal presentation which was subsequently approved; the redesign of the District Line appeared on maps from Jan 1951.
The handwriting analysis compared the hastily written stations names with Beck’s personal notebooks (held in a private collection). These notebooks provided a great source of Beck’s draft lettering and allowed for a robust attribution to Beck. Two further sources were compared with a positive match.
A printed copy of the 22-page handwriting analysis is provided with the drawing.
Free UK Delivery. For Non-UK Delivery please request quotation.