Exquisite Typescript of "The Little Prince" to be Auctioned for $1.25 Million

A unique manuscript of "The Little Prince," produced during Saint-Exupéry's exile in the 1940s and adorned with his notes and sketches, is set to fetch $1.25 million. This rare artifact highlights the book's cultural legacy and potentially broadens its acquisition to a global institution.

A rare typescript of the beloved children's story "The Little Prince," written by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, is hitting the auction block with a staggering price tag of $1.25 million (£963,313). This exceptional typed manuscript was created while Saint-Exupéry was in exile from Nazi-occupied France in the 1940s and is one of only three known copies that still exist today, making it a highly coveted item for collectors.

The typescript contains not only the typed text but also numerous handwritten notes and sketches made by Saint-Exupéry himself, showcasing his creative process. The manuscript will be available for purchase at the Abu Dhabi Art Festival in the United Arab Emirates this November. According to Sammy Jay, a senior literature specialist from Peter Harrington Rare Books, the institution handling the sale, obtaining such a manuscript is a rare opportunity for collectors.

Originally written in French as "Le Petit Prince" while Saint-Exupéry was living in New York during World War II, the book was published in 1943. The author, an experienced aviator, returned to Europe shortly after its release to conduct reconnaissance missions for the Free French air force. Tragically, he disappeared during one of these missions, and the exact circumstances surrounding his disappearance remain unknown.

The narrative of "The Little Prince" follows a pilot stranded in the desert who encounters a young boy, the Prince, visiting Earth. Since its publication, the book has achieved remarkable success, selling millions of copies internationally and earning status as one of the most-translated works in literary history.

Peter Harrington Rare Books has recently acquired the typescript, which shows signs of its historical journey, including remnants of stubbed-out cigarettes. It features Saint-Exupéry's handwritten annotations, edits, and what is believed to be the first ever written formulation of one of the text's most famous quotes: "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; the essential is invisible to the eye."

Mr. Jay emphasized that this copy feels "much more intimate" compared to the existing typescripts in France's national library and the Harry Ransom Center in Texas. Those earlier typescripts were given to friends before the author's mysterious disappearance. The typescript available for auction was held privately in France for several decades and remains unsold, drawing significant attention and excitement within the book collecting community.

Given the global standing of "The Little Prince," Mr. Jay mentioned the potential for a museum or library outside Europe to acquire the typescript, reflecting its cultural importance. As the auction date approaches, anticipation builds around this literary treasure and its place in the dynamic landscape of global literary heritage.