This listing is for a genuine French vitreous enamel on sheet steel street sign.  The street, its situation and name represent important parts of the histories of both Paris and France, and of world science.

The 100 yards long street is recorded in a 13th century list/poem of the streets of central Paris as rue des almandiers (old French for almond trees, now amandiers).  It is referred to as being in the Sorbonne quarters, the university having been founded in 1257.  It stands between the college and main campus.

In 1864 it was renamed in honour of mathematician and astronomer Count Simon de Laplace (1749-1827).  His prediction of black holes, ie stars so dense that light could not escape, was so sensational at the time that nobody gave it any credibility.

His students included Napoleon.  Today there is an institute/faculty named after him, Institut Pierre-Simon Laplace.  1500 employees on ten sites.

He is is sometimes referred to as the French Isaac Newton.

12" x 16".  Heavy gauge.

Domed.  White enamel in relief.

Made in 1950s.

Superb quality.

The second and subsequent images are from Google maps.

Many more French street signs currently listed on eBay UK.  Please get in touch if you are looking for any names, towns, subjects or themes.

USA/Canada, rest of world tracked shipping free of charge.