1956 London Underground Station Map - Quad Royal - By HC Beck
London Underground Station Map - Quad Royal - 1956
Designed by HC Beck. Printed by Waterlow & Sons for London Transport (LPTB). Print Code: 1256-2837D -2500. Quad Royal 127cm x 101cm (50 x 40 inches). Excellent used condition. Stored rolled. Some age-related browning. Some minor fraying at bottom edge.
A rare and iconic ‘station’ map of the London Underground, as displayed on platforms and ticket halls, designed by Harry Beck and dated 1956. Despite the print code suggesting this map was one of 2500 printed, very few of these station maps have survived with most discarded upon the release of a new map. These huge ‘Quad Royal’ maps are a wonder to behold and represent a moment in history of both London and graphic design.
Beck’s Last Diagram
Although he didn’t know it at the time, this would be Harry Beck’s last major redesign of the London Underground map. This design represents a 26-year evolution of Beck’s London Underground diagram as he worked almost continuously on it with a proprietorial obsession since it was first introduced in 1933.
During the 1940s, Beck’s diagram would becoming increasing “rectilinear” with diagonal lines kept to an absolute minimum in the pursuit of clarity. In doing so, however, the diagram took a step further away from the geographical reality on the ground and many at London Transport felt he had gone too far.
In 1953, Beck’s final redesign was issued in both poster and pocket map format. By this point, Beck had removed almost all diagonals (particularly noticeable on the east side of the Inner Circle) and redesigned branched lines, giving them equal prominence on the map. Beck had also found a way to show the whole eastward extent to the District Line as far as Upminster - something he had never previously been able to achieve on the diagram.
Whilst Beck continued to tweak the design up to 1959, it changed very little from the 1953 state. It was in early 1960 that Harold Hutchinson (Publicity Officer, LT) seized on the doubts expressed by many regarding the rectilinear design and moved to take over the responsibility for the diagram design. Hutchinson completely redraw the London Underground diagram and his design was issued in Spring 1960, much to Beck’s surprise and distress.
Between 1960-1965, Beck many numerous (unsuccessful) approaches to London Transport in the hope to be reinstated as chief designer of the diagram. In his desperation, he hand-drew and submitted three Quad Royal-sized diagrams, suggesting how the new Victoria Line could be incorporated and had them all promptly returned to him.
FREE UK DELIVERY. Non-UK Delivery available, please request a quotation
London Underground Station Map - Quad Royal - 1956
Designed by HC Beck. Printed by Waterlow & Sons for London Transport (LPTB). Print Code: 1256-2837D -2500. Quad Royal 127cm x 101cm (50 x 40 inches). Excellent used condition. Stored rolled. Some age-related browning. Some minor fraying at bottom edge.
A rare and iconic ‘station’ map of the London Underground, as displayed on platforms and ticket halls, designed by Harry Beck and dated 1956. Despite the print code suggesting this map was one of 2500 printed, very few of these station maps have survived with most discarded upon the release of a new map. These huge ‘Quad Royal’ maps are a wonder to behold and represent a moment in history of both London and graphic design.
Beck’s Last Diagram
Although he didn’t know it at the time, this would be Harry Beck’s last major redesign of the London Underground map. This design represents a 26-year evolution of Beck’s London Underground diagram as he worked almost continuously on it with a proprietorial obsession since it was first introduced in 1933.
During the 1940s, Beck’s diagram would becoming increasing “rectilinear” with diagonal lines kept to an absolute minimum in the pursuit of clarity. In doing so, however, the diagram took a step further away from the geographical reality on the ground and many at London Transport felt he had gone too far.
In 1953, Beck’s final redesign was issued in both poster and pocket map format. By this point, Beck had removed almost all diagonals (particularly noticeable on the east side of the Inner Circle) and redesigned branched lines, giving them equal prominence on the map. Beck had also found a way to show the whole eastward extent to the District Line as far as Upminster - something he had never previously been able to achieve on the diagram.
Whilst Beck continued to tweak the design up to 1959, it changed very little from the 1953 state. It was in early 1960 that Harold Hutchinson (Publicity Officer, LT) seized on the doubts expressed by many regarding the rectilinear design and moved to take over the responsibility for the diagram design. Hutchinson completely redraw the London Underground diagram and his design was issued in Spring 1960, much to Beck’s surprise and distress.
Between 1960-1965, Beck many numerous (unsuccessful) approaches to London Transport in the hope to be reinstated as chief designer of the diagram. In his desperation, he hand-drew and submitted three Quad Royal-sized diagrams, suggesting how the new Victoria Line could be incorporated and had them all promptly returned to him.
FREE UK DELIVERY. Non-UK Delivery available, please request a quotation
London Underground Station Map - Quad Royal - 1956
Designed by HC Beck. Printed by Waterlow & Sons for London Transport (LPTB). Print Code: 1256-2837D -2500. Quad Royal 127cm x 101cm (50 x 40 inches). Excellent used condition. Stored rolled. Some age-related browning. Some minor fraying at bottom edge.
A rare and iconic ‘station’ map of the London Underground, as displayed on platforms and ticket halls, designed by Harry Beck and dated 1956. Despite the print code suggesting this map was one of 2500 printed, very few of these station maps have survived with most discarded upon the release of a new map. These huge ‘Quad Royal’ maps are a wonder to behold and represent a moment in history of both London and graphic design.
Beck’s Last Diagram
Although he didn’t know it at the time, this would be Harry Beck’s last major redesign of the London Underground map. This design represents a 26-year evolution of Beck’s London Underground diagram as he worked almost continuously on it with a proprietorial obsession since it was first introduced in 1933.
During the 1940s, Beck’s diagram would becoming increasing “rectilinear” with diagonal lines kept to an absolute minimum in the pursuit of clarity. In doing so, however, the diagram took a step further away from the geographical reality on the ground and many at London Transport felt he had gone too far.
In 1953, Beck’s final redesign was issued in both poster and pocket map format. By this point, Beck had removed almost all diagonals (particularly noticeable on the east side of the Inner Circle) and redesigned branched lines, giving them equal prominence on the map. Beck had also found a way to show the whole eastward extent to the District Line as far as Upminster - something he had never previously been able to achieve on the diagram.
Whilst Beck continued to tweak the design up to 1959, it changed very little from the 1953 state. It was in early 1960 that Harold Hutchinson (Publicity Officer, LT) seized on the doubts expressed by many regarding the rectilinear design and moved to take over the responsibility for the diagram design. Hutchinson completely redraw the London Underground diagram and his design was issued in Spring 1960, much to Beck’s surprise and distress.
Between 1960-1965, Beck many numerous (unsuccessful) approaches to London Transport in the hope to be reinstated as chief designer of the diagram. In his desperation, he hand-drew and submitted three Quad Royal-sized diagrams, suggesting how the new Victoria Line could be incorporated and had them all promptly returned to him.
FREE UK DELIVERY. Non-UK Delivery available, please request a quotation
