The 75th anniversary of “The Little Prince” is approaching, the short story by Antoine de Saint-Exupery which, with over 200 million sales, is one of the most widely read books in the world. For the occasion, Thomas Rivière, the writer’s great-grandson, has created a special double edition of the literary masterpiece, which will be published in the next few days. The two works, created in collaboration with the copyright holders and Gallimard Jeunesse, will then be marketed in early October.
The cover of the volume addressed to the wider public will be signed by Joann Sfar, French cartoonist, illustrator, director and film producer. The special edition, however, limited to only 500 copies, will be sold exclusively in the “Petit Prince” shop in Paris “and will be illustrated by the Italian artist Gabriele Dell’Otto, famous for his works on the covers of Marvel comics.
The peculiarity compared to previous editions is that the specials bring together not only the original text and drawings, but also the testimonies of about thirty renowned authors and artists from all over the world, who with words and drawings show their very personal bond with their beloved character created by Saint-Exupery. Both volumes contain, among others, the comments by Hugo Pratt, Albert Uderzo. Manara will instead give “a spectacular illustration”, while other tributes are expected from the French Frank Margerin, Florence Cestac and Romain Hugault.
Among the dedications, also that of the French cartoonist Jean Giraud, known under the pseudonym of Moebius and who died in 2012, who said of Saint-Exupéry “he was a natural artist, without training. However, there is always a psychological precision in him. His design flows without filter, in joy and simplicity. That’s why it remains timeless ».
A strip from the third series of Arzach, star of Moebius