1867 Metropolitan Railway Map - The First Map of the London Underground
Metropolitan Railway (c1867)
Metropolitan Railway. c.1867. Printed by Kell Brothers Lithographers, Map Constructors and Engravers. Two-colour map on paper, later linen-backing. Bound within an ex-libris edition of ‘Rambles on Railways’ by Sir Cusack Roney (Published 1868). Excellent ex-libris condition, stamped with ‘St Martin-in-the-Field Free Public Library’ top left. Left border trim to aid folding. Minor tears towards where map is joined to binding. All maps called for are present, most linen-backed.
Bound within this exceptionally rare book is widely considered to be the earliest publicly-issued map of the Metropolitan Railway, London’s first underground railway. Whilst the book is dated 1868, the map can be dated to 1867, prior to the opening of the Metropolitan District Railway and the extension to Swiss Cottage.
This map features in David LeBoff’s excellent book ‘No Need To Ask - Early Maps of the London’s Underground Railway’ (page 9) LeBoff writes “This engraved map show the original Metropolitan Railway opened on 10th January 1863 as a bold overprint as well as lines to Kensington opened in July 1864 and to Hammersmith and Moorgate opening April and December the following year. Projected lines are shown as dotted - notably that of the Metropolitan and St Johns Wood Railway which would open as far as Swiss Cottage in 1868”
Even though the ‘proposed’ Metropolitan District Railway (District Line) was close to completion, a number of station names shown on this map were changed before opening. The map shows ‘Norfolk Street’ (opened as Temple) ‘Westminster Bridge’ (opened as Westminster), ‘Bridge Street Blackfriars’ (Opened as Blackfriars), ‘Cromwell Road’ (opened as South Kensington). Some stations shown on the map never opened, such as ‘Trinity Square’ on what would later become the Inner Circle completion line between Mansion House and Aldgate. It was clearly deemed unnecessary given how close it would sit between Mark Lane and Aldgate. The map doesn’t show any planned station at ‘Earl’s Court’ station; this was opened in 1871.
In addition to the MR map, there is a diagram titled ‘Section of the Metropolitan Railway’ showing the cross section, gradients and distances of the route from Aldergate to Bishop’s Road (also linen-backed).
Cusack Roney’s ‘Rambles on Railways’ is a fascinating book, for a discerning audience, published at the height of railwaymania. The book includes maps for the railways of the United Stations and India (both dated 1867).
Metropolitan Railway (c1867)
Metropolitan Railway. c.1867. Printed by Kell Brothers Lithographers, Map Constructors and Engravers. Two-colour map on paper, later linen-backing. Bound within an ex-libris edition of ‘Rambles on Railways’ by Sir Cusack Roney (Published 1868). Excellent ex-libris condition, stamped with ‘St Martin-in-the-Field Free Public Library’ top left. Left border trim to aid folding. Minor tears towards where map is joined to binding. All maps called for are present, most linen-backed.
Bound within this exceptionally rare book is widely considered to be the earliest publicly-issued map of the Metropolitan Railway, London’s first underground railway. Whilst the book is dated 1868, the map can be dated to 1867, prior to the opening of the Metropolitan District Railway and the extension to Swiss Cottage.
This map features in David LeBoff’s excellent book ‘No Need To Ask - Early Maps of the London’s Underground Railway’ (page 9) LeBoff writes “This engraved map show the original Metropolitan Railway opened on 10th January 1863 as a bold overprint as well as lines to Kensington opened in July 1864 and to Hammersmith and Moorgate opening April and December the following year. Projected lines are shown as dotted - notably that of the Metropolitan and St Johns Wood Railway which would open as far as Swiss Cottage in 1868”
Even though the ‘proposed’ Metropolitan District Railway (District Line) was close to completion, a number of station names shown on this map were changed before opening. The map shows ‘Norfolk Street’ (opened as Temple) ‘Westminster Bridge’ (opened as Westminster), ‘Bridge Street Blackfriars’ (Opened as Blackfriars), ‘Cromwell Road’ (opened as South Kensington). Some stations shown on the map never opened, such as ‘Trinity Square’ on what would later become the Inner Circle completion line between Mansion House and Aldgate. It was clearly deemed unnecessary given how close it would sit between Mark Lane and Aldgate. The map doesn’t show any planned station at ‘Earl’s Court’ station; this was opened in 1871.
In addition to the MR map, there is a diagram titled ‘Section of the Metropolitan Railway’ showing the cross section, gradients and distances of the route from Aldergate to Bishop’s Road (also linen-backed).
Cusack Roney’s ‘Rambles on Railways’ is a fascinating book, for a discerning audience, published at the height of railwaymania. The book includes maps for the railways of the United Stations and India (both dated 1867).
Metropolitan Railway (c1867)
Metropolitan Railway. c.1867. Printed by Kell Brothers Lithographers, Map Constructors and Engravers. Two-colour map on paper, later linen-backing. Bound within an ex-libris edition of ‘Rambles on Railways’ by Sir Cusack Roney (Published 1868). Excellent ex-libris condition, stamped with ‘St Martin-in-the-Field Free Public Library’ top left. Left border trim to aid folding. Minor tears towards where map is joined to binding. All maps called for are present, most linen-backed.
Bound within this exceptionally rare book is widely considered to be the earliest publicly-issued map of the Metropolitan Railway, London’s first underground railway. Whilst the book is dated 1868, the map can be dated to 1867, prior to the opening of the Metropolitan District Railway and the extension to Swiss Cottage.
This map features in David LeBoff’s excellent book ‘No Need To Ask - Early Maps of the London’s Underground Railway’ (page 9) LeBoff writes “This engraved map show the original Metropolitan Railway opened on 10th January 1863 as a bold overprint as well as lines to Kensington opened in July 1864 and to Hammersmith and Moorgate opening April and December the following year. Projected lines are shown as dotted - notably that of the Metropolitan and St Johns Wood Railway which would open as far as Swiss Cottage in 1868”
Even though the ‘proposed’ Metropolitan District Railway (District Line) was close to completion, a number of station names shown on this map were changed before opening. The map shows ‘Norfolk Street’ (opened as Temple) ‘Westminster Bridge’ (opened as Westminster), ‘Bridge Street Blackfriars’ (Opened as Blackfriars), ‘Cromwell Road’ (opened as South Kensington). Some stations shown on the map never opened, such as ‘Trinity Square’ on what would later become the Inner Circle completion line between Mansion House and Aldgate. It was clearly deemed unnecessary given how close it would sit between Mark Lane and Aldgate. The map doesn’t show any planned station at ‘Earl’s Court’ station; this was opened in 1871.
In addition to the MR map, there is a diagram titled ‘Section of the Metropolitan Railway’ showing the cross section, gradients and distances of the route from Aldergate to Bishop’s Road (also linen-backed).
Cusack Roney’s ‘Rambles on Railways’ is a fascinating book, for a discerning audience, published at the height of railwaymania. The book includes maps for the railways of the United Stations and India (both dated 1867).
