London Underground, London Underground Railways, 1909

A 1909 edition of the first folding Tube map to be distributed to passengers for free by the Underground Electric Railways Company of London (UERL). The first edition of 1908 is the first map to use the now-iconic 'UndergrounD' logo, and the first to unite the distinct lines under one united brand. Warren Street Station (formerly Euston Road) has been renamed, but Gower Street (now Euston Square) has not yet been changed, giving us our date of 1909.

London's Underground network began in the 1860s as a series of distinct companies, each constructing and operating their own lines. The Metropolitan Railway and the District Railway were the two major players in the 19th century, but by 1908 there were at least 9 distinct lines, including the Baker Street & Waterloo Railway, the Central London Railway, the City & South London Railway, the Charing Cross, Euston & Hampstead Railway, and the Great Northern, Piccadilly and Brompton Railway. Most of these companies were struggling to attract financing to expand their lines and were losing passengers to motorbus services. Therefore, in 1902, the UERL was established as an overarching holding company to pool resources and increase collaboration between the lines.

The UERL had some initial success with raising new financing and constructing many more tunnels, but by 1908, the company was again in financial difficulties. In 1907, the UERL had hired a new general manager, Albert Stanley, and, crucially, a new commercial manager, Frank Pick. The importance of Frank Pick's to London Underground's success cannot be overstated. His vision for a unified design scheme in advertising, architecture, carriage design, and station signage created the Underground style we recognize today.

Printed colour. [LDN6943]

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London Underground , 1909

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