About This Issue
Tout l’Univers N°229 brings together maritime exploration, plant biology, literature, history, and art in a large illustrated weekly. Published by Hachette, this French-language issue dates from the week of 9–16 March 1966.
The cover depicts the signing of the American Declaration of Independence. Figures in eighteenth-century dress gather around a desk beneath flags and red drapery. A blue-and-white decorative vessel appears within the yellow side panel, contrasting with the warm interior scene.
The Kon-Tiki Museum in Oslo
“Le Musée du Kon Tiki à Oslo” introduces the museum through colour photographs and explanatory text. Two views show the raft and its sail within the exhibition setting. Smaller photographs present marine-life displays, sculptural objects, and other exhibits.
A globe diagram accompanies the discussion of the Pacific voyage. The varied photographs make this feature an engaging record of the museum’s presentation during the 1960s. This is a magazine article, rather than a separate museum guide.
Plant Biology in Colour
“La Radicelle” provides a particularly striking double-page scientific illustration. An enlarged root structure appears against a dark, textured background. Beside it, a circular magnified diagram contains red and blue spheres within a yellow outline.
Text and smaller diagrams accompany the large illustrations. Their dramatic scale and contrasting colours reflect the visual teaching methods of mid-century popular science publishing. The spread remains part of the magazine, rather than a separately supplied print.
Literature and Historical Features
“Crime et Châtiment de Fédor Dostoïevsky” appears as the fourth part of an illustrated literary feature. A large painting and smaller monochrome images accompany the French text. This is an instalment, not a complete edition of the novel.
Other subjects include enlightened despotism, Julius Caesar, and Jean-Baptiste Chardin. The “Informations” page features an advertisement for the Junior book collection. The back cover combines illustrated historical accounts concerning Oceania, North America, and Africa.
Condition
Good to very good overall, with vivid illustrations and generally clean-looking photographed interiors. Slight spine splitting is reported, alongside light edge wear, minor corner handling, and gentle page waviness. Some age-related paper toning is present.
The issue is reported complete at 20 pages. The photographs show selected spreads rather than a page-by-page collation. Please examine the images for the condition of this individual copy.
Key Details
Publication: Tout l’Univers
Publisher: Hachette, Paris
Issue: N°229
Date: Week of 9–16 March 1966
Language: French
Material: Printed paper
Dimensions: Approximately 25 × 31 cm
Page count: 20 pages, reported complete
Cover: Signing of the American Declaration of Independence
Features: Kon-Tiki Museum, La Radicelle, Crime et Châtiment Part 4, enlightened despotism, Julius Caesar and Chardin
Condition: Good to very good, with slight spine splitting and handling wear
SKU: 2C149
Why It’s Special
The contrast between museum photography and colourful scientific illustration gives this issue a varied visual identity. Its literary and historical features add interest for collectors of vintage French educational magazines.
