On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the French publication of Le Petit Prince, a new edition of the original manuscript by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry is being released in bookstores. Titled Le manuscrit du Petit Prince. Fac-similé et transcription Édition anniversaire, this volume offers a rare journey into the creative process behind one of the most widely read and translated works in the world.
Written in 1942 in the United States, during the height of the Second World War, the manuscript was entrusted by the writer to his friend Silvia Hamilton at the time of his departure for North Africa. Carefully preserved ever since as a precious document, it bears witness to the writing process behind a work that has since become universal.
This new edition brings together, for the first time, a faithful facsimile of the original manuscript, alongside its transcription. Readers can explore the deletions, additions, and variations that trace the genesis of the story, as well as the original illustrations created by the author himself. Newly discovered pages also enrich the volume, offering fresh insight into the development of the text.
Edited by Alban Cerisier and Delphine Lacroix, this anniversary edition reflects a commitment to preserving and transmitting cultural heritage. It stands both as a reference work for researchers and as an accessible entry point for the wider public, eager to understand how Le Petit Prince came into being.
Available now in bookstores, this publication offers a unique opportunity to rediscover Le Petit Prince as closely as possible to its original creation.
