1934 London Underground Pocket Map (1933 Design) - HC Beck
Underground Railways of London - 1934
Designed by Harry Charles (HC) Beck. Printed by Waterlow & Sons for London Transport. Print Code 34-1945. 350M. Size: 20.3cm x 14.3cm. Card bi-fold map. Condition: Outstanding example. near mint.
This 1934 pocket map is often mistaken for a 1945 edition on account of its confusing print code '34-1945'. This map is 1934 printing of a late 1933 design - the year HC Becks revolutionary diagram was introduced.
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 - 1934
Designed by Harry Charles (HC) Beck. Printed by Waterlow & Sons for London Transport. Print Code 34-1945. 350M. Size: 20.3cm x 14.3cm. Card bi-fold map. Condition: Outstanding example. near mint.
This 1934 pocket map is often mistaken for a 1945 edition on account of its confusing print code '34-1945'. This map is 1934 printing of a late 1933 design - the year HC Becks revolutionary diagram was introduced.
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 - 1934
Designed by Harry Charles (HC) Beck. Printed by Waterlow & Sons for London Transport. Print Code 34-1945. 350M. Size: 20.3cm x 14.3cm. Card bi-fold map. Condition: Outstanding example. near mint.
This 1934 pocket map is often mistaken for a 1945 edition on account of its confusing print code '34-1945'. This map is 1934 printing of a late 1933 design - the year HC Becks revolutionary diagram was introduced.
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.
Want to know more about this item? Send us a message
