Old plan Marseille Colonial Railway Company hydraulic workshop 1930s

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

This old technical document is an original plan, probably dating from the 1930s to 1940s, related to hydraulic development and public works in Marseille. The plan, on translucent paper with the typical yellowed appearance of technical archives from this period, bears the heading "Société Coloniale des Chemins de Fer" (Colonial Railway Company) and indicates a "Projet d’installation à la limite d’un atelier de dénivaulage" (Project for installing a de-watering workshop at the boundary). The visible plan number is "M.108".

The presented side reveals a detailed map of a port or industrial area, with precise markings: roads, railway tracks, quays, technical buildings, and indications such as "bétonnage" (concreting) or "mer" (sea). Several ink lines (blue/grey) illustrate the projected infrastructure, with a great rigor of execution typical of engineering plans of the era.

The entire plan shows a grid of old folds, highlighting its authenticity and professional use. The technical calligraphy, cross-hatching, and handwritten or typewritten legends are clear and well-preserved. No bright color elements are present: the whole is monochrome, in sepia/grey tones, which corresponds to the reproduction techniques for technical plans of the interwar period.

The upper right part of the document shows a cartouche with fields reserved for signatures and annotations, some of which remain blank. Several labels and technical mentions are also visible, as well as orientation indications (e.g., "mer" (sea), "bétonnage" (concreting)), reinforcing the interest of this piece for the industrial and urban history of Marseille.

This hydraulic workshop plan, used in the public works and railway infrastructure sector, constitutes a valuable material testament to the engineering and design methods of the early 20th century.

Condition

Used document, showing signs of folds, regular paper yellowing, and some small marks of use without major alteration of the lines or inscriptions. Sold as is.

Did you know? Technical plans from major French railway companies, such as the Société Coloniale des Chemins de Fer, were made on translucent paper to facilitate duplication by the heliographic process. These documents were essential for coordinating civil engineering works, particularly in ports and large maritime construction sites of the first half of the 20th century.

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Keywords: old technical plan, Marseille plan, public works document, hydraulic workshop plan, vintage railway plan, blueprint France, port plan, industrial archives, engineering plan, colonial railway company, 1930s plan, old engineering drawing