The Little Prince. Written & Drawn by Antoine De Saint-Exupéry. Translated from The French by Katherine Woods. London: William Heinemann, 1944. First UK Edition. Pp, 87. Publisher’s pale orange Pictorial cloth boards in original illustrated with dust jacket. Light shelf-wear to jacket, contemporary gift inscription to half title. Otherwise a nice bright copy. Housed in collector’s solander box.

One of the most-translated books in the world the first edition was published in America by Reynal & Hitchcock in 1943. The first French language printing was published shortly after by the same publishers.

Written by pilot Antoine de Saint-Exupéry while in America, the tale was inspired by his experiences in the French Air Force. On the surface it’s a simple story, but this little prince is as wise as they come and his messages of compassion and goodwill continue to endure.

The UK edition was issued without a front free endpaper.