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Introduction

Discover the story of London and its transport system over the last 200 years, highlighting the powerful link between transport and the growth of modern London, culture and society since 1800.

We care for over 500,000 items, including an impressive collection of over 100,000 photos documenting the changing face of the city - preserving, researching and acquiring objects to use in our galleries, exhibitions and other activities.

Search our Collections Online above - you can search by date, keyword, reference number, or by collection type below.

Highlights from the collection

This month, we’re celebrating the opening of our Global Poster Gallery by taking a look at our poster collection and the stories our collection tells. 

One of the most influential figures in commercial poster art was London Transport Chief Executive, Frank Pick. During his 30-year career, he changed the face of London Transport.

He believed in ‘fitness for purpose’ and the power of good design to enrich life. This ethos aimed to enhance the quality of the passenger environment through innovative architecture and design, and attention to detail.

Pick cultivated a large network of artists and designers, and brought London’s transport system international acclaim for its architecture, graphic art and design.

Frank Pick, Chief Executive of London Transport, was a towering figure who had an unrivalled flair for design management. During his 30-year career, Pick changed the face of London Transport, bringing London’s transport system international acclaim for its architecture, graphic art and design.

Frank Pick sitting in front of a large notebook holding a pen

Discover our permanent gallery dedicated to commercial poster art and design. See more than 100 poster artworks and posters, and explore the poster-making process in our exhibition How to Make a Poster.

Busabout poster by Hans Unger

Our poster collection

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Browse all objects by collection type

  • London's transport, from horse and motor buses to trains, taxis, trams, trolleybuses and bicycles

    Total items
    91
  • Photos capturing London's transport history from 1860s to the present day

    Total items
    46k
    Black and white photo of a group of women stood in front of an early motor bus
  • Spanning over 100 years, our poster collection represents a range of famous artists, styles, formats and techniques

    Total items
    15k
    A brightly coloured poster depicting people travelling on an escalator
  • Significant people who have had an impact on London's transport history

    Total items
    36k
    Harry Beck sitting in front of a version of the Underground map
  • Original artworks for posters, maps and vehicle designs by well-known artists

    Total items
    2k
    An illustration of a night-time scene in London
  • Geographic and diagrammatic maps covering all modes of transport from the 1860s to the present day

    Total items
    7k
    AN early version of the Underground map as designed by Harry Beck
  • All types of transport signs dating from 1800 to the present day 

    Total items
    3k
    An Underground roundel sign
  • Leaflets, booklets, guides, postcards, fare charts and other mostly paper items

    Total items
    45k
    Cartoon of people cramming to get in a tube
  • Architectural, design, engineering and vehicle drawings relating to London's transport system

    Total items
    44k
    An early drawing depicting the roundel
  • Videos documenting London from the early 1900s including staff training videos, interviews and historical footage

    Total items
    90
    A man serving someone a cup of tea in a mobile canteen
  • Interviews with staff and those who have played a role in London's public transport

    Total items
    73
    A group of people looking over a man with a large book in front of him
  • Administrative documents including certificates, log books, letters and licences

    Total items
    3k
    A certificate
  • Items from London's transport network including telephones, tiles, seating and signalling equipment

    Total items
    2k
    A tiled entrance way reading Tickets
  • Different types of equipment including ticket machines, typeface, canteen tools and accessories

    Total items
    2k
    A typeface chest for the Johnston font
  • Seating fabric, mechanical and electronic parts and decorative features

    Total items
    2k
    A red, black green and yellow paid moquette pattern
  • Architectural, vehicle and engineering models using a variety of techniques

    Total items
    496
    A model of King's Cross station
  • Medals, badges, games, trainers and even food wrappers associated with London's transport companies

    Total items
    1k
    A pair of trainers covered in orange, yellow and brown moquette pattern
  • Operational and training guides relating to vehicles, systems and infrastructure

    Total items
    1k
    Routemaster engineering drawing showing several cross sections
  • Tickets from horse and motor bus, trolleybuses, railway and Tube tickets and passes

    Total items
    19k
    Several tickets stuck to a brown paper backing
  • Timetables, traffic circulars and bulletins showing the complexity of the transport system

    Total items
    39k
    A vintage District railway timetable
  • Clothing and accessories worn by staff from the 19th century to the modern day

    Total items
    2k
    Peaked cap, underground supervisory grade staff