‘It deserves to be called iconic’: London tube map creator’s archive goes up for sale

An unpublished proof of Harry Beck’s 1933 first edition tube map, from the forthcoming exhibition at the Map House, London, 25 October to 30 November. Photograph: Courtesy of The Map House

Harry Beck may not have a London Underground line named after him as Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth have, but there is a plaque on a platform at Finchley Central, once his local stop, that marks his legacy: the design of the tube map.

And this autumn, as a new play about him called The Truth about Harry Beck entertains London audiences, an exhibition will allow the public to see some rare and valuable original examples of his work.