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

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

This document, visible in the photo, is an old plan, probably of professional origin, related to public hydraulic works in Marseille in the 1930s-1940s. The presented side shows a large unfolded technical plan, on old paper support, with black ink lines and colored highlights (red, green, pale blue). The plan includes a cartouche in the upper right, where one can read: "Sté Coloniale du Canal et Ciment / ENCAISSAGE À LA CAVE / BORD DE CAVE - MARSEILLE / Plan M-107". Several technical annotations and indications of profiles or levels are also visible on the surface of the plan, confirming its use in hydraulic engineering or public infrastructure.

The layout of the plan is typical of technical documents from the first half of the 20th century, with a clear structure, precise lines, and color codes to differentiate elements (probably structures, networks, or distinct areas of the project). The visible surface shows a main rectilinear tracing accompanied by cross-sectional profiles and layout details, as well as various technical mentions. The inscriptions "Profil général indicatif" (General indicative profile) and "Suivant A B C D E F G H" (Following A B C D E F G H) are legible, suggesting that it is a survey or an execution diagram for a specific section of hydraulic work or urban pipeline.

The paper shows a patina characteristic of old documents: ivory tint, marked folds, slight traces of aging and handling, with no apparent tears on the visible side. The edges show slight discoloration, typical of archives exposed to light or stored in bundles. The ink used remains legible, with sufficient contrast to distinguish the different parts of the plan.

The plan is presented fully unfolded, which allows appreciating the fineness of the tracing and the richness of the technical details. No back or annotations on the back are visible in the image. The typography of the cartouche and the style of the drawing confirm a production from the 1930s-1940s, consistent with the keywords provided and the observed aesthetic.

This type of old technical plan, related to hydraulic infrastructures and urban planning, constitutes a valuable testimony to the industrial and urban development of Marseille at that time. The item is aimed at archival professionals, urban history enthusiasts, or collectors of authentic old plans, in search of original documents with heritage or decorative value.

Condition

Used document, sold as is. Presence of folds, patina, and signs of use visible on the exposed side. No major snags or tears observed on this side.

Did you know? Technical plans from the 1930s-40s were often hand-drawn on paper or tracing paper, using ink and colored pencil, before the advent of automated reproduction processes. In Marseille, the development of hydraulic infrastructures was crucial to support urban expansion during the interwar period, notably with the creation of sophisticated piping networks and water supply systems.

AFW Reassurance

Careful packaging and fast shipping are guaranteed by a professional seller specializing in antique documents and technical plans.

M