This original pocket Underground map was published by London Transport in 1939.
The diagrammatic style of map was introduced by Harry Beck in 1933.
Henry Charles Beck (1902 – 1974) was an English technical draughtsman who created the present London Underground Tube map in 1933.
It is based on an electrical circuit diagram. As the London Transport system grew in size, Beck realised that maps of the underground based on a geographical layout, were becoming more difficult for the travelling public to use and he set out to find a more user-friendly map that users of the 'tube' would find it easier to navigate their way around the system. Although his design was initially rejected, the Publicity Office of London Transport changed their minds after Beck resubmitted an updated copy and the map was first issued as a pocket edition in January 1933. It was immediately popular, and the Underground has used topological maps to illustrate the network ever since. Harry Beck wanted to make the network easier to understand by colouring each train route and using straight lines and 45 degree angles.
Beck continued to design the Underground map until the 1960s.
However, the 1939 and 1940 editions were designed by Hans Schleger. In this 1939 edition by Schleger, the Bakerloo line extension to Stanmore is shown as open.
The 1939 editions are characterised by the airbrushed blue background on which the map is overlayed.
On the reverse there is a map of the geographical locations of central London Underground stations.
Published by Riddle & Co.
