Old map Marseille 1930s-40s public hydraulic works vintage document

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

This old document is a handwritten and watercolor-painted plan, visible on the exposed side of the photograph. It is a technical plan related to public hydraulic works, set in Marseille, according to the inscription "Avenue Mouton" and the mention of "Bassin de Remisage" (Storage Basin). The document features precise lines, handwritten annotations in black ink, and areas of color used to differentiate certain technical zones (notably a green band suggesting a water or basin area). The elements are carefully arranged, following a typical layout for engineering or architectural plans from the early to mid-20th century.

The plan shows various infrastructure elements, including a "Chaussée du domaine du G.V.O." (Road of the G.V.O. domain) and areas delimited by dotted lines and handwritten legends. The mentions "Parcs de Triage" (Sorting Parks) and "Passage" (Passageway) are also discernible, suggesting a complex layout, likely related to water management or a road project. The lettering is handwritten, in a technical style, and some areas are highlighted with color (notably red, blue, and black rectangles and cross-hatching), indicating different functions or materials in the project.

The visible page shows characteristic signs of wear due to its age: several brown stains from old moisture are visible on the corners and edges, as well as a general patina on the paper. The ink remains clearly legible, and the watercolor colors are still distinct. The support appears to be old, cream-toned paper, slightly yellowed by time. No indication of format, scale, or dimensions is visible in the photo. The back and other pages of the document are not visible and will therefore not be described.

The exposed page is fixed in a softcover notebook or ledger, open on a wooden piece of furniture. No official stamp, signature, or precise date is legible on the visible area, but the aesthetic of the plan and the graphic style are consistent with the 1930s-40s, as also indicated by the provided keywords.

This type of old technical plan, handwritten and watercolor-painted, is typical of engineering construction site archives or urban management records in major French cities during the interwar period. It constitutes material evidence of Marseille's infrastructure development and the evolution of hydraulic engineering techniques during that period.

Condition

Used item, sold as is. Presence of stains, patina, and visible signs of use on the exposed page. However, the document retains its legibility and historical visual appeal.

Did you know? Handwritten watercolor plans were commonly used until the 1950s in French design offices. Each color had a precise meaning, allowing for quick interpretation by engineers and site managers, long before the widespread adoption of offset printing or color photocopies.

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Keywords: handwritten plan Marseille, old technical document, vintage watercolor plan, public works 1930s, p