An original, and important, First World War era lithographic poster map, Theatre-land, designed by Leslie MacDonald ('Max') Gill, published by London Underground, 1915. An outstanding decorative poster map which was commissioned by the head of London Underground Frank Pick in January 1915 following the success of Gill’s first poster map, The Wonderground Map of London Town, published the previous year.

For this design, Gill depicts the West End at night, against a theatrical stage as seen from the auditorium, with the proscenium arch decorated with London Underground roundels each naming a West End theatre with its nearest station. 

The map is shown painted onto the stage curtain which is in the process of collapsing - causing chaos for the actors and musicians, conducted (we are told) by the printer Gerald Meynell (of the Westminster Press). In fact, the map is full of in-jokes like this, which were typical of Gill’s style. In the top right, for example, Gill can be seen dancing with his new bride, Muriel Bennett. More sinisterly, a German Zeppelin air ship can be seen hovering over New Square, Lincoln’s Inn – a reference to the notorious Theatreland Raid of 13 Oct 1915, which killed several theatregoers. This late addition (the poster came out shortly afterwards) includes a depiction of Gill’s brother, the artist Eric Gill, warming his hands on a fire caused by “a real bomb”, while the commander of the Zeppelin leans out of the gondolier exclaiming What about the censor?

Elsewhere, Londoners can be seen commenting on the histories of the various localities and theatres or going about their business (often depicted comically). A charming boxed caption at the bottom right of the poster records that The Westminster Press have exploited me, for the Underground Railway Company, who bid you now come to the Theatre Land - To one of the theatres - Drawn by the hand of MacDonald Gill. 1915.

All-in-all, a superb poster, and one that very rarely comes onto the market. This example is from the estate of MacDonald Gill and has been professionally conserved and mounted onto a linen backing for preservation.

 More information about Gill's poster maps can be found here. A higher resolution file is available for viewing on request.