Soar W E (2 results)

Card Covers. Condition: Very Good. Pp. 14. Illustrated. Pages reprinted from Catalogue 30. Discount slip tipped onto inside of front cover.

Hardcover. Condition: Very good. Seventh. [London]: Waterlow and Sons for Sampson Low, Markston, & Co., ca. 1907-1908. Seventh edition. Chromolithographed case map (42 3/16" x 26 3/4", 1071mm x 679mm) laid down on linen, folding in 30 panels. Bound in the publisher's printed cloth-backed boards. On the spine, "'DISTRICT RAILWAY' MAP OF LONDON." printed lengthways. Printed station-list to the front paste-down. Soiling generally, with wear at the extremities. Fore-corners bumped. Offsetting to the linen at the front paste-down. Some tanning and creasing to the map, but altogether a bright example. This map of the District Railway displays the Underground and mainline railways in London at a time of growth for the city and its transport. London's rapid transit started with private companies, and this arrangement lasted from London's (and the world's) first underground passenger railway opening in 1863 up until the 1930's. Then as now, there are two types of Tube lines in London: sub-surface and deep-tube lines. This map was made just after the District Railway had begun electrifying their lines, another innovation brought about by the competition between railroads. The inclusion of other railroads may seem peculiar for an environment of such heated competition. Indeed, this map was one of the first maps to show other railroad lines in London, due to the adoption of a singular brand for all rapid transit in 1908. Each railroad was still its own private company -- although all were owned by two larger corporate entities -- but they all agreed to share a ticketing structure and to publish joint maps. London's modern tube network emerged from the consolidation that began in 1902, paving the way for the London Passenger Transport Board, and later Transport for London.