Urania’s Diamond Era: Karel Thole Covers (1964–1967)

 A visual tour of Urania issues 336–457, where Karel Thole’s circular illustrations and the “diamond” layout defined Italian SF design, alongside key editorial and publication shifts.

https://www.quadernidaltritempi.eu/rivista/numero40/approdi/q40_cop_urania06.html




This page is essentially a gallery and data sheet for a specific run of covers from Urania, a famous Italian science-fiction paperback series published by Mondadori.

What the page is showing

  • It focuses on the “diamond” (rombo) design phase of Urania, covering issue No. 336 through No. 457.

  • The top portion is a slideshow of cover images, then below it is a short block of publication details and a long grid of thumbnails (issues 336–457).

Key facts summarized (in English)

  • Time period covered: from 14 June 1964 to 12 March 1967.

  • Responsible editor (Direttore responsabile): Enzo Pagliara up to issue 447, then Alberto Tedeschi starting with 448.

  • Editorial curator: Carlo Fruttero is joined by Franco Lucentini (they later became a famous editorial duo in Italy).

  • Cover art: illustrated by Karel Thole, with the artwork framed inside a circle (a hallmark of this period’s layout).

  • Tagline on the cover: “La più famosa collana di fantascienza” (“the most famous science-fiction series”).

  • Price: 200 lire.

  • Physical format: about 19 × 13 cm, average thickness around 1 cm.

  • Release frequency: weekly from 336 to 435, then every two weeks from 436 to 457.

Why this matters (context)

This specific slice of Urania history is notable because it combines:

  • a consistent, collectible graphic identity (diamond series branding plus circular art window), and

  • Karel Thole’s distinctive cover style, which strongly shaped how Italian readers visually “recognized” science fiction for decades. 

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