Old map Marseille 1930s-40s Esso pipelines public works hydraulic

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

This archival document represents an old technical plan, probably from the 1930s-40s, related to hydraulic public works in Marseille. It is a handwritten or typewritten plan, drawn in ink on paper, showing the layout of industrial pipelines. The plan is laid flat on a wooden piece of furniture, allowing a clear view of the entire visible surface.

The upper part of the plan bears the legible inscription "CANALISATIONS ESSO STANDARD", followed by technical details specifying the total length of the pipelines and their diameter ("8" & 8" apd from 6" to 10""). The schematic map details major industrial infrastructures such as "Houillères du Bassin de Provence", "Électricité de France", "Chemin du Littoral", as well as the locations of oil companies "Esso Standard" and "Shell".

The plan is clearly structured, with neat lines, handwritten annotations, and precise indications of the different networks and equipment. Several areas are identified by technical names, notably "moles E and F", typical of port terminology. The pipeline routes are highlighted by colored lines (probably red or brown ink for some axes), facilitating the reading of the hydraulic networks.

The entire document presents a technical aesthetic characteristic of early 20th-century engineering, with a sober and utilitarian style. The quality of the paper, the patina, and the slight yellowing attest to its age. No superfluous decor, priority is given to the legibility and precision of the diagram.

The visible side shows no signature, stamp, or explicit date, but the typography, toponymy, and companies cited place this plan in the industrial and port context of Marseille during the interwar period or the immediate post-war era.

Condition

Used document, sold as is. Slight handling marks and visible fold marks, consistent with old professional use. No apparent snags or tears on the visible side.

Did you know? Large French industrial ports, such as Marseille, underwent accelerated modernization of their infrastructures during the interwar period, particularly with the arrival of international oil companies like Esso and Shell. Technical plans from this period bear witness to the rise of fuel transport by underground pipelines, a crucial issue for 20th-century industry and energy.

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Keywords: old map Marseille, vintage technical document, Esso pipeline plan, hydraulic public works, 1930s industrial map, Marseille port plan, infrastructure diagram, Esso Standard plan, Shell Marseille, industrial plan France, hydraulic engineering map, old technical drawing