Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #40529 in Books
• Published on: 1994-12-05
• Format: Folded Map
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 80 pages

Customer Reviews

The definitive book on Beck's diagram
The definitive book on Harry Beck's classic diagram. Lovely hardback large format book 11" X 10" (reprinted edition 2003) with 80 pages ; 40 of which contain beautifully illustrated colour diagrams (many full page size) of the various maps issued from 1908-1964 but mainly about Beck's diagrams from his original sketch in 1931 until his last diagram in 1964. It charts the many alterations to the original design and contains a wonderfull apppendix that has over 10 pages of original experimental sketches. An excellently researched and thoroughly enjoyable book by Ken Garland.

Curious and fascinating
How does a simple diagram become a design icon? This short, profusely-illustrated and well-written book shows how Beck's Diagram evolved from earlier more geographically-correct maps of the Underground system through a myriad of variations into the forms we're still familiar with today. The Diagram is constantly changing although instantly familiar to any visitor to London - so as well as the fascination of the evolution of the style of the diagram there's also the ever-changing history of the Underground itself to consider.

An excellent reference and history book
This book is great if you are a fan of the London underground or the maps. The book covers the maps over the years, starting at the beginning of the century all the way to the present day. You can see the differences between how they started and how they ended. I think it is absolutely fascinating!