Ever wondered what Underground maps used to look like, before Harry Beck famously created the modern 'circuit' map of the Underground? Well, wonder no more!
Here's a delightful and unusual art deco map of the London Underground in 1923 by MacDonald Gill. The map was given away freely - and as you can see, the British Empire Exhibition was on in Wembley at the time!
This map looks great at all sizes: 12x16 inches (31x41cm), 18x24 inches (45.5x61cm) and 24x36 inches (61x91.5cm), but it looks even better when printed large.
I can create beautiful, large prints of this map up to 40x50 inches (100x125cm). Please get in touch if you're looking for larger, customised or different framing options.
The model in the listing images is holding the 20x16 inch (51x40.5cm) version of this map.
If you’re looking for more options, I have another interesting
London Underground map from 1928.You might be a bit surprised at just how many underground railway stations had already been built by 1923! Most of the central London stations are already here: Charring Cross, Bond St, Bank, Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus, Hyde Park Corner, Knightsbridge, etc.
Many of the lines already have the same name as they have today. Bakerloo Line, Piccadilly Line, Central Line, and the District Railway are all here. Many of the colours are the same, too: Central Line is red, Piccadilly is blue, Bakerloo is brown, and City & South London Railway (which will become the Northern Line) is black.
Back in 1923 the Northern Line consisted of the Hampstead and Highgate Line and Great Northern & City Railway connecting into the City & South London Railway. The three lines would be fully integrated at Euston and Kennington by 1926.
Some lines haven't yet been built or extended. The Central Line has just been extended to Liverpool Street, but goes no further. And there's no Victoria Line or Jubilee Line yet - they opened in the 60s and 70s respectively.
This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas,
Father's Day, work leaving or housewarming gift for someone who has a keen interest in the National Railway or someone from London.
This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.