Auction of a Rare Copy of 'The Little Prince' with Handwritten Edits by Saint-Exupéry

A rare typed copy of the beloved book 'The Little Prince' by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, which also includes extensive handwritten corrections by the author, will soon be auctioned publicly. This carbon typing is one of only three known copies in the world, featuring the famous line from 'The Little Prince' handwritten for the first time: 'It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.' These sentences, renowned for their depth and beauty in contemporary literature, have been specifically rewritten and edited by Saint-Exupéry in this version. According to Sami G., a senior literature specialist at Peter Harrington Bookshop in London, the author had previously contemplated this sentence multiple times in his mind and sought to express it in the best possible way. He states that in this typed version, we see that Saint-Exupéry has achieved this and written it out completely for the first time. This typed version, priced at $1,250,000, will be displayed at the annual Abu Dhabi Art exhibition taking place in late November. This work is valuable not only for its text but also for its authenticity and direct connection to its author. A photo taken on October 16, 2024, shows a rare carbon typed version of 'The Little Prince' by the late French author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, which contains extensive handwritten corrections by the author himself. 'The Little Prince' was first published in 1943 in the United States in both French and English, and was printed in France in 1946. Since then, it has been translated into over 300 languages and is considered one of the most translated books in the world. The story is narrated by a pilot who crashes in a desert and meets a little prince who has come to Earth from a distant planet. Throughout the story, the little prince shares tales from his planet and his travels to other planets with the pilot. These stories are filled with deep philosophical messages and social critiques expressed in simple language and a childlike narrative. In addition to the text, this auction version includes two original black-and-white sketches of the little prince, one of which is a preliminary design for the final image of the book depicting the little prince's return home. Peter Harrington, the owner of the bookshop, purchased this typing from a private collection related to Saint-Exupéry. According to him, this version, despite its simple and unadorned appearance, contains details and exquisite nuances that make it an extraordinarily appealing and impactful object. This typing is housed in a black cardboard folder with no markings on the cover and is secured in places with a clip. Inside the folder, it is filled with lines, notes, and various sketches that Saint-Exupéry added throughout his work. The rare carbon typed version of 'The Little Prince,' which includes extensive handwritten corrections and designs by the author himself, also contains a $100 check signed by Saint-Exupéry, likely added to the folder by a collector. This check, dated February 26, 1943, was issued for 'alterations to a French Air Force uniform.' This is the same outfit that Antoine de Saint-Exupéry wore during his last visit to his lover Sylvia Hamilton's apartment before returning to war. He had also given the original manuscript of 'The Little Prince,' which is now housed in the Morgan Library in New York, to Sylvia Hamilton. Saint-Exupéry left the United States in April 1943 and is believed to have lost his life on a reconnaissance mission in July 1944.