The Little Prince

Box 1

Hardcover

First Person

Fiction

93

27

2018-06-26 17:43:01

Based on the images provided, here is an overview of the book, its historical importance, and an assessment of its edition and potential value.
Book Overview and Historical Importance
The book you have is The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. It is a timeless and widely beloved classic of French literature. The story is a philosophical fable about a young prince who travels to different planets and meets various absurd adults, ultimately learning about love, loss, friendship, and the meaning of life.
The book is historically important for several reasons:
* World War II Context: Saint-Exupéry, a celebrated French aviator, wrote The Little Prince while living in New York during World War II after he had fled German-occupied France. The book reflects his personal struggles and the universal themes of loss of innocence and the search for meaning in a world torn apart by conflict.
* A Universal Allegory: While influenced by the war, the book’s themes are timeless and resonate with readers of all ages. Its exploration of human nature, society, and the importance of childlike innocence has made it one of the most widely translated books in the world, second only to the Bible.
* Author’s Legacy: The book was published a year before Saint-Exupéry’s mysterious disappearance while on a reconnaissance mission for the Free French Air Force in 1944, adding to its poignant legacy.
Is it a First Edition?
Based on the images, your book is not a first edition. Here’s how to tell:
* Publisher: The first edition of The Little Prince was published in 1943 by Reynal & Hitchcock, Inc. The copyright page of your book shows the publisher as Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc. This company was formed in 1960 from a merger.
* Copyright Date: While your book has a 1943 copyright date, this is for the initial publication and is carried over in subsequent printings. The presence of the Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc. imprint indicates that this is a later printing, most likely from the 1960s or later. The second image shows the publisher as Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc. and the copyright year as 1943, which indicates a later printing.
Value Assessment
The value of The Little Prince books varies dramatically depending on their edition, condition, and specific features.
* First Edition: A true first edition (1943, published by Reynal & Hitchcock, Inc.) is a highly sought-after collector’s item. Signed and numbered first editions can be valued in the tens of thousands of dollars, with unsigned copies still fetching thousands of dollars, especially if they are in good condition and include the original dust jacket.
* Later Printings (like yours): The value of later printings from the 1960s and beyond is significantly lower. While still a valuable and cherished book, it’s considered a reading copy or a general collectible rather than a rare book. The value is typically in the range of $20 to $100, depending on its specific condition, whether it has a dust jacket, and any other unique characteristics.
In summary, you have a later printing of a historically important and beloved literary classic. While not a valuable first edition, it is a great copy of a significant book.

Harcourt Brace & World, Inc

9780330268325

Great Britain

1974

1

English

~$15.29

2025-10-04

2018-06-26 17:43:01