Lot 7 old handwritten plans canals dams technical 1890-1930 vintage

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

This lot consists of seven old handwritten documents, presented flat on a dark wooden table. The documents, technical in appearance, include ink and pencil drawings, some supplemented with colored annotations (blue, red, and black ink). Several diagrams show cross-sections and elevations of hydraulic structures, notably plans of canals, dams, spillways, and water management devices. Clearly visible are layout plans, scaled surveys, and handwritten tables listing various technical or quantitative elements.

The pages, with paper yellowed by time, feature old handwriting typical of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Some pages have visible titles such as "Plan du Réservoir" (Reservoir Plan), "Déversoir du Meunier" (Miller's Spillway), or "Catalogue II". Other pages show detailed diagrams of retaining walls, hydraulic networks, or cross-section profiles, with precise indications of materials or dimensions (without quantifying what is not explicitly stated).

Several documents feature a structured layout, alternating between freehand plans and survey tables, illustrating a technical and rigorous working method. The colors used for annotations (particularly red for legends or corrections) allow for quick distinction of the different parts of the depicted structures. One handwritten document, dated "27/7/19," serves as a technical note or report, written with a quill pen.

The collection demonstrates technical expertise in the design or maintenance of hydraulic structures, likely for agricultural or industrial purposes. The vintage appearance and old calligraphy reinforce the authenticity of the presumed era, between 1890 and 1930, consistent with visual clues and the keywords mentioned.

The flat presentation allows for observation of folds, signs of use, and slight traces of time, typical of historical technical archives. All documents are handwritten, some featuring colored ink diagrams, others with numerical surveys or explanatory notes. The writing remains generally legible, with some passages more faded or annotated.

Condition

Used documents, sold as-is. Presence of folds, small stains, sometimes crumpled edges, and visible wear from use on the old paper. However, the collection is well-preserved for its age, with largely maintained legibility.

Did you know? Handwritten plans of hydraulic structures were commonly made by hand until the mid-20th century, with each drawing serving as both a study aid and a technical record for water network management. Colored handwritten notations allowed for quick differentiation of construction stages or modifications made over time.

AFW Reassurance

Professional seller: careful packaging, fast and secure shipping from France.

Keywords: old handwritten plans, technical documents, dam plans, canal plans, hydraulic archives, vintage handwritten diagrams, 1900 engineering plans, aqueduct plans, civil engineering works plans, technical drawings France, old engineering plans, old paper plans