A piece of London's iconic transport history is set to go under the hammer, with a rare draft of the Tube map expected to fetch up to £100,000.
The map, created in 1932 by electrical draughtsman Henry Beck, is the earliest known version of his revolutionary London Underground design. It features handwritten annotations from both Beck and his predecessor, Fred Stingemore, offering a unique glimpse into the map's final development stages before its public debut in January 1933.
The Story Behind the Landmark Design
Beck's radical concept broke from tradition by basing the map on a circuit diagram, rather than following strict geography. His design introduced the now-familiar clean lines, strict diagonals, and colour-coded routes that replaced the sprawling, harder-to-read topographical maps which came before it.
This particular working proof reveals fascinating editorial decisions made during the design process. One of the most notable exclusions was New Cross Gate station on the East London Railway, which was marked as being 'too small' to include. The line is now part of the London Overground's Windrush line. Fortunately for commuters, the station was reinstated and did appear on the final map published in 1933.
Annotations That Shaped London's Transport Identity
The draft map is rich with historical detail, showing Beck's handwritten notes on key decisions. These include the inclusion of the Watford leg of the Metropolitan line and the new Willesden Junction Station on the Central line.
Another annotation suggests there was consideration given to omitting South Ealing from the Piccadilly line, a station which ultimately became and remains a part of the route today. With very few of these working proofs known to exist, this artefact is considered one of the rarest surviving pieces of modern British design.
A Landmark Piece Heads to Auction
The map will be featured in the Groundbreakers: Icons of Our Time sale at Christie's in London on December 11. It carries a pre-sale estimate of £70,000 to £100,000.
James Hyslop, Head of Science & Natural History at Christie's, commented on the significance of the item. He stated that Beck’s map transformed city visualisation, "replacing geography with clarity and logic." He added, "Seeing his handwritten notes alongside those of Fred Stingemore is like witnessing the moment London’s transport identity was born. This sale offers a rare chance to own a foundational piece of London’s visual history."
