The Victoria line : a pictorial record published on the occasion of the opening of the line by H. M. The Queen : March 1969 : London Transport Board : 1969 : title page

            One of the best, and most lavish, books produced by the London Transport Board was this; the beautifully illustrated book for the opening of the Victoria line of London Underground that was issued in March 1969 to commemorate the formal Royal opening that took place on 7 March 1969 when the line had been completed to its then terminus at Victoria. The line had opened in stages from Walthamstow to Highbury & Islington on 1 September 1968 and thence to Warren Street on 1 December 1968. The line had its origins in post-war planning for London's railways and, after many delays, construction began in earnest in September 1962. The extension to Brixton came into use in 1971.

The line required significant engineering both in terms of new work and alterations and adaptations of existing works such as at Finsbury Park and Highbury and Islington. A new fleet of trains, the 1967-tube stock, was constructed in Birmingham by Metro-Cammell and a new depot built on the surface at Northumberland Park, Tottenham. In terms of operation a world-class 'automatic' signalling and operating system was developed by London Transport and this idea for automation extended to ticketing and gateline. In terms of architecture there was little to see above ground and the station platforms were deliberately designed to be a relatively neutal background with passengers and advertising providing the 'colour'; this muted look was enlivened by inset tiled panels in seat recesses, each commissioned from a noted artist and based on a play on the station name.

All these facts, and more, appear in the book that was designed by William Fenton ARCA and printed by W. S. Cowell in Ipswich. You do not often see this book - at 30/- (Thirty Shillings or One Pound and 10 shillings) I suspect not many were sold.

Taken on: May 3, 2024

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Mike Ashworth Collection

London

engineering

construction

architecture

design

industrial design

London Transport

London Transport Board

London Underground

Victoria Line

Victoria Line commemorative brochure

opening of the Victoria line 1969

March 1969

official opening

Royal Opening

Victoria line history

Victoria line construction

book

William Fenton ARCA

graphic design

Underground

Metro

Subway

W. S. Cowell Ltd.

transport

public transport

post-WW2 planning

London's railways

transport infrastructure

photography

transport ephemera

1967-tube stock

railway design

mass transit

Underground design

station design

Underground rolling stock

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typography « less

Sets appears in: • Victoria line : commemorative brochure celebrating the opening : March 1969 : London Transport Board • London books and maps more » • London Transport « less

Groups appears in: • Typography and Lettering • Vintage Typography more » • Text and Typography • London Books & Their Illustrations • Old London • Vintage Railway Publicity, pre-1980 • BELOWGROUND RAILWAYS « less

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