A rare typescript of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's beloved children's story, "The Little Prince," is set to sell for $1.25 million at the Abu Dhabi Art Festival in November. This extraordinary artefact, one of only three known typescripts in existence, offers a unique glimpse into the creative process of one of the most translated books ever published.

Created in New York during Saint-Exupéry's exile from Nazi-occupied France in the 1940s, the typescript includes handwritten notes, sketches, and edits by the author. Its sale presents a rare opportunity for collectors, institutions, and literature enthusiasts to acquire a significant piece of literary history. Saint-Exupéry wrote "The Little Prince" while living in exile in New York during World War II. The story follows a pilot stranded in the desert who meets a small boy, the Little Prince, visiting Earth. Since its publication in 1943, the book has sold millions of copies worldwide.

This typescript, which has been housed in a private collection in France for decades, is the only one of the three known copies available for public sale. Its significance goes beyond rarity; it reveals Saint-Exupéry's intimate creative process. Sammy Jay, a senior literature specialist from Peter Harrington Rare Books, described the typescript as "much more intimate" than the other two, emphasizing the author's notes, doodles, and sketches. The artefact features two preliminary sketches of the Little Prince, including one for the final illustration in the book.

The typescript's sale is likely to attract interest from museums or libraries outside of Europe, acknowledging the book's status as a part of the global literary heritage. As Jay noted, "The Little Prince" is one of the most translated books in the world, solidifying its place in literary history. The Abu Dhabi Art Festival in November will serve as the stage for this rare typescript to find a new home, potentially transforming the landscape of literary ownership and appreciation.