The Oceanographic Institute Monaco The Oceanographic Institute reflects Prince Albert I s belief that knowing, loving and protecting the oceans by acting as a mediator between the scientific community, political and economic decision-makers and the general public promoted the protection and sustainable management of the oceans. - Institute Entrance to Institute and Museum Street facing facade of Institute Fran Adams UNExpo 2017-27/28 October 2017
Prince Albert I of Monaco 1848-1922 Prince Albert I of Monaco dedicated himself to the study of the oceans and spent many years of his life at sea after his formal military and maritime training as a navigator. His scientific expeditions and ocean explorations began in 1885. Prince Albert I The Navigator Prince Albert I of Monaco and Hirondelle I Vintimille Marseille to Remizemont, France, 14 November 1905 Imp - Imbert & Cie - Grasse - Nice - 804 Deposé Edition Maison Modele - Monte Carlo
The Legend of Prince Albert s Interest in the Oceans Only a Myth Popular legend recounts that Prince Albert I was enamoured of the sea and the life hidden beneath it as a result of reading the French author Jules Verne s 20,000 Leagues under the Sea as a young boy. Jules Verne Block of four View from the Nautilus observation port Maximum card with semi-postal value As 20,000 Leagues under the Sea was published in 1870, the Prince was already 22 years old and the legend couldn t possibly be true.
Universal Exposition in Paris 1889 His collection of sea creatures was presented to the public for the first time at the Universal Exposition in Paris in 1889. The interest in the presentation was far beyond expectations as it sparked the imagination of French visitors in particular, likening it to Verne s 20,000 Leagues under the Sea story. Scene from 20,000 Leagues under the Sea Jules Verne bust Imperforate Monaco pavilion at the 1889 Universal Expo in Paris Chromo card with gold gilded border It was then he decided to form his collection into a museum and laboratory for research of ocean life.
The Ships Laboratories at Sea Prince Albert sailed aboard highly sophisticated vessels of the period, all containing laboratories for preservation of specimens taken from the sea, the Hirondelle I, Princess Alice, Princess Alice II and Hirondelle II. Hirondelle I Model of Hirondelle II in the Oceanographic Museum Hirondelle II Hirondelle I & Princess Alice Prince Albert I and Princess Alice II Princess Alice II
The Adventures 1896-1907 This Prince sailed the length and breadth of the Mediterranean, collecting ocean creatures and artifacts as he explored. He later also visited the Azores, mapping the ocean floor in that area. Prince Albert I with ships Hirondelle I and Princess Alice Hirondelle II in the harbor of Monaco He also sailed on an Arctic adventure to Spitzbergen. Sailing to Spitzbergen Princess Alice II 1906-1907
Prince Albert s Collection 1904 The Oceanographic Museum existed as a collection before a dedicated museum building housed the largest collection of sea life specimens in the world. The Royal Palace Postcard from the Royal Academy of Science Torino, Italy to Monaco Notice of receipt of the Bulletin of the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco Copy of rear of card A section in the royal palace of Monaco was the first home of the museum. The Oceanographic Institute was founded in 1906.
The Museum Building 1899-1910 Prince Albert I of Monaco wished to create a marine biology laboratory and the first stone was laid in April 1899. The Museum was inaugurated in March 1910. International visitors to the Museum are treated to the greatest display of sea life ever gathered into a single museum and they come by the thousands each year. Setting of the first stone Deluxe Die Proof
The Museum Building A View from the Shore The Oceanographic Institute s side facing the street is quite ornate as the Baroque Revival architectural style was incorporated to convey a classical feel. View cards of the museum Entrance
The Museum Building A View from the Sea This monumental example of architecture has an impressive façade above the sea, towering over the sheer cliff face to a height of 279 feet (85.04 m). It took 11 years to build, using 100,000 tons of stone from La Turbie. Issue of 1922 Issue of 1923 Deluxe proof, ocean view of the museum
The Museum Building A View from the Sea The prince created the Museum in order to study the specimens he brought back from the different expeditions. The soul of its founder can still be felt at the heart of this Temple of the Sea. View cards of the museum Issue of 1949
Research 1902 Prince Albert s research with sea anemones contributed to discovery of anaphylaxis in 1902 by Charles Rischet. Discovery of anaphylaxis Charles Richet & Paul Portier Multi-faceted Research Charles Rischet, Maximum Card
Research 1910-2017 Jacques Cousteau became the leader of both the Institute and the Museum in 1957 and continued the Institute s legacy of exploration of ocean life and its ecology. The Institute remains a member of the international research community and advisor to the United Nations. Jacques Cousteau Research ship Calypso Catching specimens in traps Undersea research station for living under the sea Open Ocean Aquarium beneath the building Biological Discovery of Sealife
Exhibitions 1910-2017 Alexander the Great s underwater chamber and bathysphere of the N.Y. Zoological Society The museum presents special exhibitions from time to time discussing man s connection with the ocean and displaying both ancient and modern methods of underwater exploration. Fulton s Nautilus 1800 and Modern Submarine Traditional and Modern Divers Galeazzi s Turret 1929 Williamson s Photosphere 1914 and Bathyscaph Trieste Klingert 1797 and Modern Diving Suits Presentation Theatre Diving Chamber
Institute Office in Paris Home of the Oceans The Institute is comprised of two organizations: the Oceanographic Museum in Monaco and the Home of the Oceans in Paris, France. The Paris complex maintains specialized laboratories. Maximum card for 1949 issue Deluxe proof
First International Oceanographic Congress 1959 The First International Oceanographic Congress was organized privately by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Cambridge, Massachusetts to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 12 October 1871 (Domestic surface letter rate 3 cents) United Nations, New York to Address erased, 31 August 1959 (Domestic surface letter rate 4 cents) The Institute acted as a nongovernmental advisory group to the United Nations and as a member of the Special Committee on Oceanic Research of the International Council of Scientific Unions, the Institute took part in this First International Oceanographic Congress.
First International Oceanographic Congress 1959 The United Nations (UNESCO) was a sponsor of the First International Oceanographic Congress. Specimen with punch United Nations, New York to Arlington, Virginia, USA, 2 September 1959 Domestic surface letter rate 4 cents - 21 cents overpaid as a publicity franking (Content is a single page with instructions on procedures and equipment used in the assembly hall)
The Institute Today 1910-2017 The institute celebrated its 50th anniversary with a pictorial machine slogan cancellation device. In 2015, the museum celebrated its 50,000,000th (yes, that s millions) visitor. Prince Albert I 50,000,000+ Visitors Monaco to Schönbühel, Austria, 5 September 1960 (European surface letter rate 50 centimes)
Official Institute Mail Continental Surface Letter The institute used special stationery with a printed corner card picturing the Hirondelle I with the Coat of Arms of Monaco. No official stamps were issued and the institute used the postage stamps of Monaco. Monaco to Paris, France, 29 May 1925 (European surface letter rate 25 centimes)
Official Institute Mail Continental Surface Letter Monaco to Zürich, Switzerland, 7 January 1952 (European surface letter rate 30 Francs)
Official Institute Mail International Surface Post Card Monaco to La Jolla, California, USA, 12 November 1941 (International surface post card rate 1.50 Francs) Reduced rear of postcard
Official Institute Mail International Surface Letter Monaco to Washington, D.C., USA, 3 May 1921 International surface letter rate 50 centimes)
Official Institute Mail International Airmail Letter Monaco to New York, New York, USA, 4 November 1933 (International airmail letter rate 1.50 Francs)
Official Museum Mail International Airmail Letter Monaco to Washington, D.C., USA, 6 February 1964 (International airmail letter rate 1.20 Francs)
Official Mail of the Institute Office in Paris Local Letter Paris, France local delivery 20 January 1943 (Local letter rate 1.50 Francs)
Museum Tourist Mail Continental Surface Post Card Monaco to Luzern, Switzerland, 15 August 1935 (European surface post card rate 90 centimes) Reduced front of postcard