Vintage old maps of Marseille 1930s-1940s hydraulic public works

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

Lot of two technical plans, handwritten and hand-drawn, presenting hydraulic public works projects in Marseille, probably dating from the 1930s-1940s. These archival documents show general views and technical cross-sections related to port infrastructure, notably the "Quai de la Pinède" and the "Bassin du Pétrole."

The first plan, visible on the left, presents an overview of the basin, with handwritten annotations in red and black. The mention "Bassin du Pétrole" is clearly visible, as are indications of tunnels and underground structures. The technical cross-section annotated "Coupe suivant AB" (Cross-section along AB) details the structure of the tunnel and its walls, with precise dimensions and a handwritten legend explaining the depicted elements.

The second plan, on the right, highlights the "Quai de la Pinède" and a "Môle F", with a colored legend. Areas are watercolored in blue and red to indicate different technical elements (legend: "la teinte rouge indique l’emplacement des galeries piétonnières demandées" - the red tint indicates the location of the requested pedestrian tunnels). Several annotations specify surfaces and volumes, including "Mètre de l’océan" (Ocean meter) and "En Plan : Surface... En Volume..." (In Plan: Surface... In Volume...).

Both plans exhibit an aesthetic typical of early to mid-20th-century technical archives, with neat handwriting, the use of different colored inks, and watercolor highlights. The sheets show a homogeneous patina, characteristic of old paper, with slightly yellowed edges.

The visible inscriptions confirm their Marseille origin and use for civil and hydraulic engineering projects, bearing witness to the port's development in the region during that period.

Condition

These old plans are used and sold as is. Slight traces of use, creases, and yellowing of the paper are visible, with no major tears on the photographed side.

Did you know? The major public works carried out in Marseille in the 1930s-1940s profoundly transformed the port and its infrastructure, notably with the construction of new quays and oil basins. The handwritten plans from this era are now valuable testimonies to the design and technical planning methods before the era of computer-aided design.

AFW Reassurance

Your order will be carefully processed and shipped quickly in secure packaging by a professional seller specializing in old documents and archives.

Keywords: old technical plan, hydraulic document Marseille, public works archive, vintage handwritten drawing, 1930s port plans, civil engineering Marseille, archive plans, watercolor plan, period plan, old French engineering drawing, Marseille harbor plan, handwritten public works plan