Vintage 1931 manuscript document Bridges and Roads Marseille

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

This old document is a handwritten letter dated August 7, 1931, written in purple ink on lined paper with the official letterhead of the French Republic. The letter is addressed to the Prefect of Bouches-du-Rhône and comes from a sender identified as "Belmonde affaire," requesting authorization related to public works in L'Estaque, Marseille area. The top part features the embossed seal of the French Republic and an oval stamp "Ponts et Chaussées - Bouches-du-Rhône" dated August 14, 1931, adding additional historical and administrative value to the piece.

The handwritten text is carefully calligraphed, typical of the administrative style of the early 20th century, with sloping and regular handwriting. The document also bears a printed reference "C-78383" in the upper right, attesting to its integration into an official circuit. The whole is written on a large sheet of paper, with horizontal lines, with wide margins on the left and bottom.

The object has a patinated ivory tone, characteristic of old paper, and the inks used (purple for the text, blue for the stamp) are clearly visible on the exposed side. No watermark is visible on the presented side. The overall condition of the document, on the visible part, seems good: no tears or major apparent stains, only a few discrete marks related to age.

Its administrative content and the presence of official stamps make it a direct testimony to the steps involved in hydraulic public works in Marseille in the 1930s. This type of letter was used to formalize requests to departmental authorities, here in the context of the port of L'Estaque.

The photographic presentation on a wooden desk background highlights the vintage aspect and authenticity of this archival document. Perfect for wall decoration or as a reference piece for historical research on Marseille urban planning.

Condition

This document is an original of the period, used and sold as is. The visible side shows no major damage, but does show traces of use related to its age. Please examine the photograph carefully to judge its precise condition.

Did you know? The Ponts et Chaussées department, mentioned in this document, was responsible for the management and maintenance of public infrastructures in France from the 18th century onwards. In Marseille, it played a key role in the development of ports, dikes, and hydraulic networks, essential for the economic expansion of the region.

AFW Reassurance

Your order will be carefully packaged and shipped quickly by a professional seller, accustomed to handling old and fragile documents.

Keywords: old Marseille letter, administrative manuscript, Ponts et Chaussées, archive document, vintage public works, 1930s official writing, French Republic letterhead, old stamp, Marseille urban planning, hydraulic works France, old French document