London Transport Museum acquires Harry Beck Metro map

A previously unknown Harry Beck map design for the Metro system in Paris has been acquired by the London Transport Museum. According to a spokeswoman for the museum, Beck was asked, in the late 1930s, to put forward a design for the Metro map, based on his iconic London Underground map, but the Metro Authority decided it was not appropriate. However, Beck continued to work on the design until 1951, when he completed this version (pictured). The map will be exhibited when the redesigned London Transport Museum opens in spring 2007 (DW 2 March).