"The Little Prince: A New York Story"

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s beautifully sad, philosophical children’s tale is the subject of this exhibit, which includes the French author’s only surviving handwritten draft, as well as early versions of the book’s charming illustrations. The display focuses on the relationship between one of the best-selling titles of all time and New York City, where much of it was written and where it was first published in 1943. Peek at a manuscript page that makes explicit reference to Manhattan, Long Island and Rockefeller Center (all later axed), and see the personal message Saint-Exupéry inscribed into an early copy, which he gave to a friend’s 12-year-old son shortly before he left the city to fight in World War II.