1943 First Edition, 6th printing - The Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exupery
Author: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Illustrated by the author.
Title: The Little Prince.
Publisher: New York, Reynal & Hitchcock, 1943. First Edition, Sixth printing (stated).
Language: Text in English, translated from the French by Katherine Woods.
Size: 9 x 7.25 inches (Large octavo).
Pages: 91 pages.
Binding: Attractive and very good publisher’s original tan cloth binding, stamped in maroon with an illustration of the Little Prince on the front cover and spine. Accompanied by a good (chips and tears - as shown, price clipped) under a protective removable mylar cover.
Content: Very good content (bright, tight and clean, rare light foxing or staining - as shown). The copyright page confirms: “Sixth Printing.”
Illustrations: Illustrated throughout with Saint-Exupéry’s own whimsical and iconic watercolor drawings, reproduced in full color and integrated with the text. All illustrations are present and well-preserved.
Estimate: (USD 350–500).
The book: This is the sixth printing of the first edition of The Little Prince, one of the most beloved and enduring works of 20th-century literature. Written and illustrated by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry during his exile in the United States and first published in New York in 1943 by Reynal & Hitchcock, the English and French editions appeared simultaneously. The story, ostensibly a children’s tale, is a philosophical fable for all ages. It recounts the journey of a young prince from a distant asteroid, whose encounters across various planets reveal subtle truths about adulthood, loneliness, and the nature of love. With a tender tone and evocative illustrations, the book’s poetic message continues to resonate with readers of all generations.
The author: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1900–1944) was a pioneering French aviator, writer, and war hero. His experiences as a pilot deeply shaped his philosophical and literary vision, evident in earlier works such as Night Flight and Wind, Sand and Stars. The Little Prince, completed shortly before his disappearance during a reconnaissance mission in WWII, is his most famous work and a timeless meditation on innocence, responsibility, and wonder.
The illustrator: Saint-Exupéry illustrated the book himself with delicate watercolor drawings that are now inseparable from the text. His illustrations—playful yet profound—are an essential part of the book’s identity, capturing its blend of childlike imagination and deep emotional resonance.