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London Transport Museum

Roundels and signs

Image showing signsThe roundel has become one of the most famous and instantly recognised signs in the world. Known then as the 'bar and circle', it first appeared on Underground platform name boards in 1908. The purpose of the device was to give a distinct presence to the station name and company identity. The roundel continues to work in the same way today.

Read the history of the roundel »

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Station name sign

This Tufnell Park Underground station nameboard represents the earliest version of the roundel.

Station name sign

This station name sign, dating from 1911, was used on the platform at Westminster Underground station, operated at that time by the Metropolitan District Railway.

Photograph

A red diamond version of the roundel was introduced by the Metropolitan Railway in 1915, to emphasise its independence from the Underground Group.

Photograph

A Johnston style roundel in a 'tombstone' shaped frame at Burnt Oak Underground station on the Northern line.

Station name sign

An enamel station name sign, using an early version of the Johnston roundel, originally from the District line platforms at Westminster Underground station, c1924.

Engineering drawing

This is the earliest drawing of a 'standard' roundel design.

Direction sign

A timber-framed enamel sign from the mid-1920s showing Johnston’s 1919 roundel with Underground logotype and distinctive flighted arrow.

Tram stop flag

Double-sided enamel tram request stop flag featuring a 'pecked out' Tramways roundel.

Poster

Poster; Smithfield Club Show, by Compton Bennett, 1928.

Photograph

This silhouette style Johnston roundel with bronze frame.

Information sign

A directional sign from the entrance to Surrey Docks Underground station (now Surrey Quays).

Bus stop flag

This type of bus stop flag was introduced after London Transport was formed in 1933.

Station name sign

The architect Charles Holden introduced bronze framed silhouette roundels in 1932.

Station name sign

A 1938 miniature silhouette roundel sign from the platform at St Paul's Underground station.

Station name sign

Temporary paper signage from Woodford station on the Central line.

Bus stop flag

A combined bus and coach stop flag from around 1950.

Bus stop flag

A combined bus and coach stop flag using a dual colour version of the roundel.

Station name sign

Roundel name board from Archway Underground station.

Photograph

A backlit glass station platform name sign introduced on the new Victoria line in 1968A backlit glass station platform name sign introduced on the new Victoria line in 1968.

Photograph

The subway entrance to Old Street Underground station in the mid 1970s.
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