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.
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.
Our poster collection
Browse all objects by collection type
London's transport, from horse and motor buses to trains, taxis, trams, trolleybuses and bicycles
Total items92Photos capturing London's transport history from 1860s to the present day
Total items46kSpanning over 100 years, our poster collection represents a range of famous artists, styles, formats and techniques
Total items15kSignificant people who have had an impact on London's transport history
Total items36kOriginal artworks for posters, maps and vehicle designs by well-known artists
Total items2kGeographic and diagrammatic maps covering all modes of transport from the 1860s to the present day
Total items7kAll types of transport signs dating from 1800 to the present day
Total items3kLeaflets, booklets, guides, postcards, fare charts and other mostly paper items
Total items45kArchitectural, design, engineering and vehicle drawings relating to London's transport system
Total items44kVideos documenting London from the early 1900s including staff training videos, interviews and historical footage
Total items90Interviews with staff and those who have played a role in London's public transport
Total items87Administrative documents including certificates, log books, letters and licences
Total items3kItems from London's transport network including telephones, tiles, seating and signalling equipment
Total items2kDifferent types of equipment including ticket machines, typeface, canteen tools and accessories
Total items2kSeating fabric, mechanical and electronic parts and decorative features
Total items2kArchitectural, vehicle and engineering models using a variety of techniques
Total items496Medals, badges, games, trainers and even food wrappers associated with London's transport companies
Total items1kOperational and training guides relating to vehicles, systems and infrastructure
Total items1kTickets from horse and motor bus, trolleybuses, railway and Tube tickets and passes
Total items19kTimetables, traffic circulars and bulletins showing the complexity of the transport system
Total items39kClothing and accessories worn by staff from the 19th century to the modern day
Total items2k