Unique type can sell for more than $1 million at auction.
A typescript of “The Little Prince'' containing the author's handwritten notes and sketches will be put up for auction by London bookseller Peter Harrington Rare Books. One of the greatest masterpieces of 20th century literature can be purchased for at least 1.25 million US dollars, or just over 5 million zlotys.
The typescript is now owned by Peter Harrington Rare Books, a specialist bookstore that primarily deals in white crows. It will be auctioned at the Abu Dhabi Art 2024 fair starting November 20th. The expected price is at least $1.25 million, or just over 5 million zlotys.
The typeface from “The Little Prince” goes up for auction
The bookstore did not disclose who purchased the rare typescript and how much it cost. I know this book is unique because Antoine de Saint-Exupéry wrote a lot. There is also the first sketch of the Little Prince.
The card also includes a saying: “Only the heart can see clearly. The most important things are invisible to the eyes.” This sentence is not only frequently quoted, but also extremely problematic for the author himself. Apparently he worked on it for several years before arriving at a version he was happy with.
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The typescript is one of three, but only one ever made it into the hands of a collector. The other two are in public collections at the Bibliotheque Nationale de France in Paris and the Harry Ransom Center in Texas.
Sammy Jay of Peter Harrington Rare Books said this was the most important version because the author kept a copy of this typescript for himself and took many notes inside.
He added that the typescript has already generated a lot of interest and will probably be acquired by museums or private collectors in Asian or Arab countries.
See also: Record-breaking auction. Wojciech Fangor painting sold for 7.3 million złoty
Antoine Saint-Exupéry wrote The Little Prince in 1942 while living in exile in New York. A year later, the book was published only in the United States. Next, the author went to the front in North Africa, where he returned to combat aviation.
He died in July 1944 while flying over the Mediterranean Sea. He did not live to see the worldwide success of his book.
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