1933 London Underground Pocket Map - HC Beck 33-3636
Underground Railways of London - 1933
Designed by Harry Charles (HC) Beck. Printed by Waterlow & Sons for London Transport. Print Code 33-3636. Size: 20.3cm x 14.3cm. Card bi-fold map. Condition: Outstanding example. near mint.
This pocket map was issued in late 1933 - the same year Harry Beck’s revolutionary diagram was introduced. There were a total of 6 issues of Beck’s map during 1933, the first three seeing no change to the map design itself (just cover information). During the second half of 1933 Beck made a number of improvements to his original design, notably moving to circle interchange stations (from diamond). By this time, Beck has managed to get rid of the the north pointer that was added in the July issue, Beck thought this a ridiculous element for a diagrammatic map!
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.
In 1938 and much to Beck's surprise and frustration, London Transport published an Underground pocket map by another designer, Hans Schleger. Whilst Beck continued to design the map in poster formats, Schlegers pocket map ran for 2 years until responsibility for it returned to Beck in 1941.
Free UK Delivery. For Non-UK delivery, please request quotation.
Underground Railways of London - 1933
Designed by Harry Charles (HC) Beck. Printed by Waterlow & Sons for London Transport. Print Code 33-3636. Size: 20.3cm x 14.3cm. Card bi-fold map. Condition: Outstanding example. near mint.
This pocket map was issued in late 1933 - the same year Harry Beck’s revolutionary diagram was introduced. There were a total of 6 issues of Beck’s map during 1933, the first three seeing no change to the map design itself (just cover information). During the second half of 1933 Beck made a number of improvements to his original design, notably moving to circle interchange stations (from diamond). By this time, Beck has managed to get rid of the the north pointer that was added in the July issue, Beck thought this a ridiculous element for a diagrammatic map!
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.
In 1938 and much to Beck's surprise and frustration, London Transport published an Underground pocket map by another designer, Hans Schleger. Whilst Beck continued to design the map in poster formats, Schlegers pocket map ran for 2 years until responsibility for it returned to Beck in 1941.
Free UK Delivery. For Non-UK delivery, please request quotation.
Underground Railways of London - 1933
Designed by Harry Charles (HC) Beck. Printed by Waterlow & Sons for London Transport. Print Code 33-3636. Size: 20.3cm x 14.3cm. Card bi-fold map. Condition: Outstanding example. near mint.
This pocket map was issued in late 1933 - the same year Harry Beck’s revolutionary diagram was introduced. There were a total of 6 issues of Beck’s map during 1933, the first three seeing no change to the map design itself (just cover information). During the second half of 1933 Beck made a number of improvements to his original design, notably moving to circle interchange stations (from diamond). By this time, Beck has managed to get rid of the the north pointer that was added in the July issue, Beck thought this a ridiculous element for a diagrammatic map!
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.
In 1938 and much to Beck's surprise and frustration, London Transport published an Underground pocket map by another designer, Hans Schleger. Whilst Beck continued to design the map in poster formats, Schlegers pocket map ran for 2 years until responsibility for it returned to Beck in 1941.
Free UK Delivery. For Non-UK delivery, please request quotation.
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