A remarkable typescript of the beloved children's tale, The Little Prince, is poised to go on the auction block for a jaw-dropping $1.25 million (£963,313). Created by author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry in New York while in exile from Nazi-occupied France during the 1940s, this copy is one of only three known versions in existence.
This particular typescript features Saint-Exupéry’s own handwritten notes and sketches, adding to its uniqueness and historical significance. It will be showcased at the Abu Dhabi Art Festival in the United Arab Emirates in November, as noted by Sammy Jay, a literature specialist at Peter Harrington Rare Books, the sellers of this rare literary artifact.
Originally published in French as Le Petit Prince in 1943, the book tells the whimsical tale of a pilot who, while stranded in the desert, encounters a young boy known as the Little Prince. Saint-Exupéry, an accomplished aviator, mysteriously vanished on a reconnaissance mission during World War II after the book’s publication, leaving behind a cultural legacy that has captivated audiences worldwide.
The typescript includes handwritten annotations and two drawings depicting the Little Prince—one of which is considered to be the preliminary sketch for the book's cover. Jay expressed excitement about discovering such an intimate manuscript, describing the typescript's condition which shows signs of the author's lifestyle, including remnants of stubbed-out cigarettes and personal doodles.
Uncharacteristically, this particular manuscript has not been inscribed or gifted to anyone, which makes it uniquely available for purchase, unlike the other two existing typescripts, one of which is housed at France’s national library and another in the Harry Ransom Center in Texas.
Peter Harrington Rare Books has been preparing and cataloguing the script since acquiring it in early 2024. Jay commented on the potential interest it may garner from international museums and libraries, reflecting the global significance of this literary piece.
This particular typescript features Saint-Exupéry’s own handwritten notes and sketches, adding to its uniqueness and historical significance. It will be showcased at the Abu Dhabi Art Festival in the United Arab Emirates in November, as noted by Sammy Jay, a literature specialist at Peter Harrington Rare Books, the sellers of this rare literary artifact.
Originally published in French as Le Petit Prince in 1943, the book tells the whimsical tale of a pilot who, while stranded in the desert, encounters a young boy known as the Little Prince. Saint-Exupéry, an accomplished aviator, mysteriously vanished on a reconnaissance mission during World War II after the book’s publication, leaving behind a cultural legacy that has captivated audiences worldwide.
The typescript includes handwritten annotations and two drawings depicting the Little Prince—one of which is considered to be the preliminary sketch for the book's cover. Jay expressed excitement about discovering such an intimate manuscript, describing the typescript's condition which shows signs of the author's lifestyle, including remnants of stubbed-out cigarettes and personal doodles.
Uncharacteristically, this particular manuscript has not been inscribed or gifted to anyone, which makes it uniquely available for purchase, unlike the other two existing typescripts, one of which is housed at France’s national library and another in the Harry Ransom Center in Texas.
Peter Harrington Rare Books has been preparing and cataloguing the script since acquiring it in early 2024. Jay commented on the potential interest it may garner from international museums and libraries, reflecting the global significance of this literary piece.
