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 vintage map of the London Underground E. G. Perman in 1928, with London's roadways, parks and landmarks overlaid.
This map looks great at all sizes: 12x16 inches (31x41cm), 18x24 inches (45.5x61cm), and 24x30 inches (61x76cm), but it looks even better when printed large.
I can create beautiful, large prints of this map up to 40x50in (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 (50x40cm) version of this map.
The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.
If you’re looking for more options, I have another interesting London Underground map by Bravington's Ltd in 1922.
You might be a bit surprised at just how many underground railway stations had already been built by 1928! Most of the central London stations are already here: 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. However, the Northern Line didn't quite exist though - it was still called the Hampstead and Highgate Line, connecting into the City & South London Railway. Some lines haven't yet been built or extended. The Central Line stops at Liverpool Street. 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 London Underground and the railways of 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
This map is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The map is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present a map without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas maps and explore the differences between my different finishes.
For something truly unique, this map is also available in "Unique 3D", our trademarked process that dramatically transforms the map so that it has a wonderful sense of depth. We combine the original map with detailed topography and elevation data, so that mountains and the terrain really "pop". For more info and examples of 3D maps, check my Unique 3D page.