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Vintage London Underground Posters Take Center Stage at the Transport Museum

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  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Friday, November 21st 2025 at 12:38 GMT by London Evening Standard

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Vintage London Underground Posters Take Center Stage at the Transport Museum

A new exhibition at the London Transport Museum has transported visitors back to the golden age of the Tube, bringing to life a dazzling collection of vintage posters that helped shape the visual identity of London’s underground network for more than a century. Titled “Art Deco and the London Underground: Posters of a City in Motion,” the show opens this week and promises a feast for design lovers, historians and anyone who has ever looked up at the iconic red roundels that adorn the walls of stations across the city.

A Glimpse Into the Past

The exhibition showcases over 150 original posters dating from the 1920s to the 1950s, a period when the Underground’s advertising campaigns were at the height of their creativity. The pieces on display were commissioned by the Underground Group to promote new lines, special events, and the system’s everyday utility. They are printed on high‑quality paper in a palette of bright reds, blues and golds, and they feature the bold, geometric forms that are the hallmark of Art Deco design.

Visitors will see striking examples such as the 1932 “Take the Tube to the New Town” poster, which pairs a stylised map of the London Underground with a sleek, angular illustration of a commuter. The poster’s clean lines and symmetrical composition capture the spirit of a rapidly modernising metropolis. Another highlight is the 1949 “The Tube is Your Friend” series, which uses playful caricatures of people on trains to promote safety and friendliness on the network. These works, which were printed in limited editions, are now housed in the museum’s archives and have rarely been seen in such a cohesive collection.

Why Art Deco Matters

The museum’s curator, Anna Larkin, explains that Art Deco was more than a decorative trend; it was an ideological statement about progress and optimism. “London was looking forward to a new age,” Larkin says. “The Tube’s posters reflected that confidence, using geometric shapes, streamlined forms and a vibrant colour palette to convey speed, reliability and modernity.”

The exhibition’s focus on the Art Deco period also underscores the importance of visual communication in public transportation. The posters served not only as marketing tools but also as wayfinding aids, teaching commuters how to navigate the sprawling underground network. For many, the posters were the first introduction to the Tube’s unique system of lines and destinations, and they helped create a shared visual language that still resonates today.

The Exhibition Experience

Set in the museum’s newly renovated “London Transport Gallery,” the exhibition is arranged thematically. In the first section, titled “Origins and Innovations,” visitors will see early 20th‑century posters that introduced the iconic roundel symbol and promoted the first electrification of the Underground. The next area, “The Boom Years,” features posters from the 1920s and 1930s, when the network expanded dramatically and the advertising budget grew accordingly. Finally, the “Post‑War Resurgence” section displays posters that emerged after World War II, reflecting both the challenges and the optimism of a city rebuilding itself.

Alongside the posters, the museum has installed interactive displays that allow visitors to explore the design process behind each piece. Digital timelines trace the evolution of the Tube’s branding, while 3‑D renderings let guests see how the posters were printed on the back of ticket machines and on street‑side posters. For those curious about the people behind the art, a dedicated space profiles the most influential poster designers, including John H. F. and Dorothy T., whose work shaped the visual identity of the Tube for decades.

A Link to London’s Visual Heritage

The article includes a link to the London Transport Museum’s official event page, which offers practical information on visiting hours, ticket prices and opening times. The museum is currently offering a special “poster‑special” ticket, giving visitors access to the exhibition, a free guided tour and a downloadable catalogue. Tickets can be purchased online or at the museum’s ticket office, and the website also offers a virtual tour of the gallery for those who cannot travel to London.

In addition to the museum’s own pages, the article references a BBC feature that examines the role of advertising in the 1930s. The feature provides historical context for the posters, highlighting how the London Underground’s marketing was a major part of the city’s cultural life during the interwar years. The museum also links to the British Library’s digital collection, where some of the original poster prints are available for viewing in high resolution.

Cultural and Educational Impact

The exhibition has already attracted a diverse audience, from school groups to design students. Teachers have praised the way the display connects students with the city’s transport history, making abstract concepts such as branding and typography tangible. Meanwhile, designers have lauded the quality of the prints and the depth of the archival research that went into the curation.

Anna Larkin notes that the exhibition is part of a broader initiative by the London Transport Museum to revive and preserve the visual heritage of the Tube. “Our goal is to create a living archive that encourages people to engage with London’s past and present,” she says. “By focusing on these posters, we are also highlighting how design has always been integral to the city’s functioning and identity.”

Visiting Information

• Venue: London Transport Museum, 20‑21 Green, London
• Opening Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 10 am–5 pm; Monday closed
• Ticket Price: £9.99 for adults, £5.99 for students and seniors; free for children under 5
• Specials: Group discounts available; the poster‑special ticket includes a guided tour

The exhibition runs until 30 April 2025, with an opening ceremony featuring a talk by the museum’s curator and a special walk through the original Underground station designs. The event also coincides with the Museum’s “Design Your Own Poster” competition, inviting visitors to create a modern poster inspired by the historic designs on display.

Final Thoughts

“Art Deco and the London Underground: Posters of a City in Motion” is more than a visual treat; it’s a cultural time capsule that captures the spirit of a city that never stops moving. Whether you’re a design aficionado, a history buff or simply a Tube commuter, the exhibition invites you to explore how the Tube’s past continues to shape its present. Don’t miss this chance to see London’s iconic posters in their full glory, and to understand the artistic vision that helped propel the world’s most beloved subway system into the 21st century.