At the auction, which will take place at the "Art Abu Dhabi Festival 2024", a valuable literary artifact will be presented - a handwritten carbon copy of the famous world work "The Little Prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. This edition contains corrections made by the author himself, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, in handwriting.
The book has particular value due to its emotional aspects, as it was created during difficult times after the occupation of France during World War II, when Saint-Exupéry lived in exile in New York. This is the first manuscript of the novel, in which the author has introduced corrections, containing practically on every page corrections, among which the first mention of the famous phrase is proposed.
Among the significant corrections made by the author, it is worth highlighting the mentioned one about New York, marked more universal references, as well as final strokes on the main episodes of the manuscript. One of the most significant changes is the famous quote on page 57, which underwent several edits before it acquired its iconic form.
This manuscript copy is offered by the publishing house Peter Harrington, leading the auction of rare editions in London, for 1.25 million U.S. dollars. It is suggested that this manuscript represents the first typeset version of the world-famous work, in which the famous phrase first appears: "One sees clearly only with the heart. What is essential is invisible to the eye."
The novel "The Little Prince" is considered one of the most translated books in the world, excluding religious books, and is appreciated globally for its eternal wisdom and universal values that it carries. This rare copy possesses great emotional value, as Saint-Exupéry returned from his last reconnaissance mission in 1944.
What makes this manuscript unique is the author's handwritten corrections, which testify to his attention to details and corrections of his works.
