A rare typescript of "The Little Prince," one of the world's most cherished and translated literary works, is about to make headlines with an estimated sale price of $1.25 million (£963,313). This exclusive typescript, produced in the 1940s while its author, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, was in exile from Nazi-occupied France, stands as one of only three known copies. The auction is set to take place at the Abu Dhabi Art Festival in November.
Rare Typing of The Little Prince Expected to Fetch $1.25 Million
Rare Typing of The Little Prince Expected to Fetch $1.25 Million
A unique typescript of Antione de Saint-Exupéry's beloved children's book will be available at auction soon.
The unique copy not only features typed text but also boasts handwritten notes and sketches by Saint-Exupéry himself. “The sale of this typescript is extraordinarily rare," remarked Sammy Jay, a senior literature specialist with Peter Harrington Rare Books, the seller. Originally written in French and published in 1943, "Le Petit Prince" tells the enchanting tale of a pilot stranded in the desert, who meets a boy from another planet.
Saint-Exupéry, an accomplished aviator, vanished during a reconnaissance mission for the Free French air force towards the end of WWII, and the mystery of his disappearance remains. The typescript retains a personal touch with evidence of the author's aging; it shows signs of wear from stubbed-out cigarettes and includes his own annotations, making it more intimate compared to the other two existing typescripts, one located in France’s national library and another in the Harry Ransom Center in Texas.
This specific manuscript has spent decades within a private French collection and represents the only copy available for public acquisition. Furthermore, it contains what is believed to be the first written instance of one of the book's most famous lines: “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; the essential is invisible to the eye.”
As Mr. Jay points out, the possibility exists for a museum or library outside of Europe to purchase the typescript, reflecting its significance on a global scale. This auction will undoubtedly attract attention from collectors and literary enthusiasts alike, as "The Little Prince" continues to be an integral part of global literary heritage.
Saint-Exupéry, an accomplished aviator, vanished during a reconnaissance mission for the Free French air force towards the end of WWII, and the mystery of his disappearance remains. The typescript retains a personal touch with evidence of the author's aging; it shows signs of wear from stubbed-out cigarettes and includes his own annotations, making it more intimate compared to the other two existing typescripts, one located in France’s national library and another in the Harry Ransom Center in Texas.
This specific manuscript has spent decades within a private French collection and represents the only copy available for public acquisition. Furthermore, it contains what is believed to be the first written instance of one of the book's most famous lines: “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; the essential is invisible to the eye.”
As Mr. Jay points out, the possibility exists for a museum or library outside of Europe to purchase the typescript, reflecting its significance on a global scale. This auction will undoubtedly attract attention from collectors and literary enthusiasts alike, as "The Little Prince" continues to be an integral part of global literary heritage.
