1943 London Transport Bus Routes Central Area No. 2 – WWII Wartime Issue, "Is Your Journey Really Necessary?" – Folding Route List

A genuine piece of wartime London: the London Transport "Bus Routes — Central Area" No. 2 issue of 1943, printed mid-Blitz-era and issued free with the famous roundel on the cover. Because of the war, this edition has no map — a notice printed on it explains that London Transport had suspended the publication of maps and guides owing to conditions arising out of the War, and that the guide existed to help members of the Forces and others who had to travel in London. It opens out into a large sheet of route tables instead: every Central Area bus route from No. 1 through the 290s with its termini and streets served, an "Index to Districts Served," and an "All Night Services" section for the night buses. The same notice asks the question every wartime traveller knew by heart: "Is your journey really necessary?" — with enquiries directed to the Public Relations Officer at 55 Broadway. A wonderful survivor of Home Front paper ephemera, and a strong piece for London Transport, transit, or WWII collectors.

Details
Publisher: London Transport (London Passenger Transport Board), 55 Broadway, London S.W.1
Title: Bus Routes — Central Area, No. 2, dated 1943 on the cover
Format: Folding sheet, pocket format when folded; "Issued Free"; red sawtooth border and London Transport roundel on the cover
Contents: Route tables for Central Area bus routes (Nos. 1–298 range as printed, with lettered variants), "Index to Districts Served," and "All Night Services" section
Wartime features: No geographic map — the printed notice states publication of maps and guides was suspended owing to the War; the notice also carries the "Is your journey really necessary?" appeal and notes first/last bus times shown in red on vehicle fare tables
Print code visible on the sheet: 543/1697/10000 (print run reference, as printed)
Quantity: 1
Included: The 1943 Bus Routes Central Area No. 2 folding sheet shown (cover and both sides pictured)

Condition
Very good condition for wartime paper — these were printed on cheap stock and most were used to destruction or pulped. The cover is clean and bright with light age toning and faint spotting. The sheet opens fully; the print is sharp and complete throughout, including the index and night services. Fold lines are visible as made, with light toning along some folds and edges and minor corner wear; no major tears, no missing panels, no writing seen. Please review all photos for the exact condition.

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