London Transport Underground Station Poster Map by Harry Beck. Double Crown+ 1936

CAPTION PRINTED BELOW PICTURE: London Transport [Station Poster Map]

A rare early Double Crown station poster map designed by Harry Beck and issued in 1936, three years after his iconic first edition of 1933. This short-lived variant features an enlarged central area with oversized diamond symbols at interchanges—an innovation driven by London Transport’s Publicity Department, who believed passengers needed greater detail in the central zone, despite the impact on the map’s clarity. From 1935, Beck was instructed to use thicker lines in the central section to accommodate line names on the map itself, along with interchange diamonds of varying sizes that unnecessarily included the word "Station" in every label. Interestingly, the definition of "interchange" differs from Beck’s pocket map of the same year, which deployed circle symbols to mark many more such stations. Line colours follow the same scheme as the 1936 pocket maps, except for the Northern City Line and the Bank–Monument escalator. This is the second of three Beck station poster maps to feature the enlarged central area—an experiment abandoned after 1937. The map is scarce. The print code indicates a run of 2,000, most of which were likely destroyed upon replacement. Notably, the London Transport Museum does not hold an example of this map in its collection.

DATE PRINTED: 1936 [print code 36-3488-2000]

IMAGE SIZE: Approx 65.0 x 84.5cm, 25.5 x 33.25 inches (Large); Please note that this is a folding map.

TYPE: Original lithographic Double Crown plus sized London Underground Station Poster map issued by London Transport

CONDITION: Good; suitable for framing. Damage to the border and a tear in the right hand edge have been professional restored. One spot. Please check the scan for any blemishes prior to making your purchase. If the print has been scanned in black and white, any foxing or spotting highlighted in this statement may appear brown on the actual print. Please contact us if you would like to arrange to view this map. Virtually all antiquarian maps and prints are subject to some normal aging due to use and time which is not obtrusive unless otherwise stated. We offer a no questions asked return policy.

AUTHENTICITY: This is an authentic historic print, published at the date stated above. It is not a modern copy.

VERSO: There is nothing printed on the reverse side, which is plain

FOLDING: This is a folding print.

ARTIST/CARTOGRAPHER/ENGRAVER: Harry C. Beck

PROVENANCE: Published by London Transport. Printed by Waterlow & Sons Ltd., London & Dunstable