Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. - Le Petit Prince. - 1956

LE PETIT PRINCE
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry – Gallimard NRF illustrated edition by the author – Print run November 1956.
A fine copy of one of the most emblematic works of 20th-century literature, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's The Little Prince, in a Gallimard NRF edition printed in Paris in November 1956 by Imprimeries Paul Dupont.
The work retains its famous cover illustration showing the Little Prince on his asteroid as well as the delicate color watercolors painted by Saint-Exupéry himself. This edition includes the full original text accompanied by the illustrations that have become universally known: the Little Prince and the migratory birds, the baobabs, the maintenance of the volcanoes, the desert boa and numerous poetic scenes that helped make this work a timeless masterpiece.
The presented copy has its original illustrated cover, despite some signs of wear, small losses on the back and at the head, light stains and traces of time. The interior remains particularly appealing with fresh and bright illustrations, well-preserved paper and a generally very pleasant presentation for a post-war edition.
The binding tension is to be kept taut as it is slackened.
The printer's statement reads,
“Achevé d’imprimer sur les presses des Imprimeries Paul Dupont, à Paris, Novembre 1956” which places this impression among the early post-war printings of the famous philosophical tale.
Antoine de SAINT-EXUPÉRY, Le Petit Prince.
Paris, Gallimard – NRF, 1956.
1 volume in-8 22.5cm x 16.5cm.
Fully illustrated text with numerous color watercolors in the text by the author.
Original illustrated cover retained, but the spine is partially detached.
Printer’s date November 1956.
Overall condition satisfactory, cover slightly worn, small losses at the back, worn corners, interior fresh, illustrations well preserved, complete copy, except spine partially detached and binding loose.
First published in French after the war in 1946, Le Petit Prince is Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s most famous work and one of the most translated books in the world.
The first Gallimard printings from 1946-1956 are now highly sought after by collectors due to their closeness to the original French edition and the quality of reproduction of the author’s original watercolors.
This 1956 edition represents a particularly interesting testimony to the early editorial successes of the book in France, just a few years after Saint-Exupéry’s death in 1944.
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry – Le Petit Prince. Original illustrations by the author.
Gallimard NRF – Edition November 1956. Early post-war printing illustrated in color.
The photos are an integral part of the description.
Shipping via Chronopost or other service depending on destination with insurance.