London Transport standard 'Tramways' panel design, in Johnston typeface, c1933
A fine example of the standards London Transport set for their signs in the 1930s - this of course built upon the work the previously privately owned Underground Group had developed followed the 1916 introduction of the typeface they commissioned from Edward Johnston and his later work on both typeface and logos. I suspect this may be from the post-1933 formation of LT - although it shows some evidence of the 1938 'Standard Signs Manual' LT developed. It shows not only the design and text to be used but also the strict admonition as to the requirements for proportionality in reproduction. One unusual later use of an early version of the typeface seen here is the "double V" for W.
It also shows one slight oddity for LT signs - they were under the responsibility of the Signals Engineer and Chief Engineer. This was due to the fact that the many illuminated signs, lit by electricity, were considered to be better managed by the Signals Dept (many signals also being at height and illuminated) and so ....
London Transport standard 'Tramways' panel design, in Johnston typeface, c1933
A fine example of the standards London Transport set for their signs in the 1930s - this of course built upon the work the previously privately owned Underground Group had developed followed the 1916 introduction of the typeface they commissioned from Edward Johnston and his later work on both typeface and logos. I suspect this may be from the post-1933 formation of LT - although it shows some evidence of the 1938 'Standard Signs Manual' LT developed. It shows not only the design and text to be used but also the strict admonition as to the requirements for proportionality in reproduction. One unusual later use of an early version of the typeface seen here is the "double V" for W.
It also shows one slight oddity for LT signs - they were under the responsibility of the Signals Engineer and Chief Engineer. This was due to the fact that the many illuminated signs, lit by electricity, were considered to be better managed by the Signals Dept (many signals also being at height and illuminated) and so ....