By documenting and guiding us on the journeys we make every day, maps influence the way we navigate and identify with our surroundings. The Underground, London Transport, and its successor Transport for London have produced and inspired maps which are navigational, decorative forms of publicity and works of art. This book, which draws on the rich collections of the London Transport Museum, sets out to explore this unique form of visual communication. Covering the period from 1900 to the present day, Claire Dobbin's fascinating narrative provides a chronological account of the mapping of London's Underground. Starting with the magnificent early twentieth-century decorative maps of Macdonald Gill, the evolution of London's diagrammatic Underground map, introduced by Harry Beck's iconic 1931 design, is expertly told. The legacy of Beck's inspiring design is highlighted through selected maps, artworks, posters and merchandise. Incorporating design, art, cartographic, social and transport history, London Underground Maps provides a fascinating account of the capital's innovative approach to decoding and promoting its complex underground network. An accessible narrative coupled with first-class imagery make this book a must for lovers of art, design and cartography as well as the history of London.
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'...a very informative and splendidly illustrated book.' --- --artnewsletter.com
'Those interested in art, British history, business history, cartography, design, geography, and modernist studies will find this book accessible and rewarding ... highly recommended'. ----- Choice
'Those interested in art, British history, business history, cartography, design, geography, and modernist studies will find this book accessible and rewarding ... highly recommended'. ----- Choice
About the Author
Claire Dobbin is Senior Curator at the London Transport Museum, where she specialises in the Underground's design heritage and art patronage. She helped develop the Museum's online poster collection, co-curated the 2008 centenary exhibition The Art of the Poster, contributed to the book London Transport Posters, also published by Lund Humphries, and curated the Museum's exhibition Mind the Map, an accompaniment to this publication.
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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
It's hardly possible to imagine London without its underground system - and equally impossible to imagine this underground system without the classic map which guides its millions of users. This book takes you on its own journey - from 19th century origins to the 21st century future.
Chapter 1 covers the early history and mapping of the London Underground. The first line was opened in 1863 - it was actually steam trains that ran along these early tracks which came as a surprise to us - electric trains being introduced much later, in 1890. Another quick snippet of trivia is that the now ubiquitous term `tube' for the whole of the underground system comes from an early nickname for the Central London Railway which was known as the Two Penny Tube.
There's some stunning work by artists such as MacDonald `Max' Gill and it also has to be remembered that Harry Beck didn't start with a blank canvas before producing his famous 1930s design. He took ideas & influences from this earlier mapping such as line diagrams and distinct colours for individual lines.
Chapter 2 charts the map's development - its geometric design and the abandonment of geographical accuracy. In addition to reproducing the maps, the book also has some great examples of promotional posters and historical photos showing stations, travellers and artwork in situ.
Chapter 3 explores the continuing legacy of Beck's design and its influence over other transport maps. Also its branding, souvenir value and wider influence over the art world in general.
We've thoroughly enjoyed this book and can highly recommend it. It adds so much background to the subject without ever being dry or unapproachable.... Read more ›
Chapter 1 covers the early history and mapping of the London Underground. The first line was opened in 1863 - it was actually steam trains that ran along these early tracks which came as a surprise to us - electric trains being introduced much later, in 1890. Another quick snippet of trivia is that the now ubiquitous term `tube' for the whole of the underground system comes from an early nickname for the Central London Railway which was known as the Two Penny Tube.
There's some stunning work by artists such as MacDonald `Max' Gill and it also has to be remembered that Harry Beck didn't start with a blank canvas before producing his famous 1930s design. He took ideas & influences from this earlier mapping such as line diagrams and distinct colours for individual lines.
Chapter 2 charts the map's development - its geometric design and the abandonment of geographical accuracy. In addition to reproducing the maps, the book also has some great examples of promotional posters and historical photos showing stations, travellers and artwork in situ.
Chapter 3 explores the continuing legacy of Beck's design and its influence over other transport maps. Also its branding, souvenir value and wider influence over the art world in general.
We've thoroughly enjoyed this book and can highly recommend it. It adds so much background to the subject without ever being dry or unapproachable.... Read more ›
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Wotcha
Format:Hardcover
We saw the exhibition at the London Transport Museum and thought it was a really interesting history of the development of the marketing behind the London Underground system, plus modern twists of an artistic nature. I particularly liked Sephen Walter's 2012 "London Subterranea" a detailed map of what lies beneath the surface of London - humorous, grisly and interesting. Unfortunately the print of the artwork is too big for my living room, so the part copy in the book is the next best thing. I also liked the endless opportunities of producing artwork by using GPS to track personal routes round London (Jeremy Wood). I don't think this is a read from cover to cover book, but it makes a fantastic coffee table book.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By 'Marble'
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought this for my husband. He is quite an eclectic person and anything to do with trains is just one of his 'branch lines'. He compares, looks things up and is generally absorbed in whatever he reads. He says this book is very good which, most definitely, means that it is! He would recommend.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Bought this for my daughter who visits London a few times in the year. She loves looking at maps and this does not disappoint. Cheaper than in the Transport Museum too.
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