Vintage public works map of Marseille, 1930s-40s, hydraulic document

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

This old document is an original handwritten plan, drawn in ink and watercolor on fine paper, typical of technical archives from the 1930s-1940s. It is a detailed technical map, representing a portion of urban infrastructure in Marseille, focused on public works and hydraulic installations. The visible side shows a precise layout, accompanied by handwritten legends and indications.

The plan highlights several key elements such as "Avenue Mouren", "Bassin de Remisage" (Storage Basin), and an area titled "Parc de triage" (Sorting Park). One can also distinguish a building or structure noted "Emplacement à l’emplacement du Grand Bâtiment" (Location at the Grand Building's location) as well as a colorful legend, using red, blue, and black inks to differentiate structures and networks.

The outlines and lines are hand-drawn, with a precision characteristic of engineering plans of the era. The inscriptions are in French, mostly clearly legible, and the graphic style reflects a pre-computer working method, using a ruler and technical pen. Water areas and roadways are colored with watercolor, offering a neat visual contrast.

The document shows signs of age: visible patina, wear marks on the bottom edge, and traces of humidity on the bottom of the sheet. These marks attest to its authenticity and long conservation. The page comes from a register or technical notebook, bound at the top, with another blank sheet partially visible above.

This type of plan was used by hydraulic engineers, urban planners, or public works managers for the planning and monitoring of urban developments, particularly in the port areas of Marseille during the interwar period.

Condition

Used item, sold as is. Presence of patina, stains, and visible wear marks on the edges and bottom of the document. The main inscriptions remain legible, and the plan's structure is intact.

Did you know? Hand-drawn technical plans from the 1930s-40s frequently used thin supports and colored inks to allow for successive annotations and quick readability on site. In Marseille, the development of port and rail infrastructures during the interwar period was accompanied by a significant production of handwritten plans to coordinate public works.

AFW Reassurance

Careful packaging and fast shipping. Professional seller specializing in archives and antique documents.

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