The London Transport Museum has sifted its archive of over 3,300 London Underground posters, selecting 150 of their favourite, to mark the 150th of the innovative transport system. They will be going on display next month, February, to commemorate the thousands of artists who have leant their talent to the iconic bustling underworld of London, sitting under the title of ‘Poster Art 150 – London Underground’s Greatest Designs’.

The last major exhibition of this kind was back in 1963, when the capital city celebrated the centenary of the Underground. Now, the archives have been reopened, highlighting the best images dating from 1920s to 2000s, museum goers will have the opportunity to see the work of well-known artists like Paul Nash, Edward Mcknight and surrealist photographer Man Ray. These will be sitting along side those who are lesser known but by no means any less striking.

The 150 posters will be divided into 6 sections; Finding Your Way, Brightest London, Capital Culture, Away From It All, Keeps London Going and Love Your City. These sections will reveal posters about etiquette, sporting events, culture encounters, the outdoors and ones about the improvements of the Underground’s technology, along with many other recurring themes.

Poster Art 150 also gives the visitors the chance to vote for their favourite poster in the gallery and the winner, which will be revealed at the end of the exhibition, could receive a revamp of the original artwork. Fancy.

This is an exhibition for those who has a keen interest in art, history, transport, London, technology, graphic design etc etc… in other words, there is something here for everyone, not only those of us who geek out on trains.

The exhibition runs from 15 February – 27 October 2013 at The London Transport Museum. More information can be found, here.

Credits - All images from London Transport Museum