Apollinaire, Guillaume

8vo (222 x 137mm.), copy number 921, frontispiece portrait by Jaudon after Picasso, modern crushed brown morocco, top edge gilt, others uncut, slipcase, original wrappers printed in red and black bound in, pages somewhat browned, last few leaves torn with loss of a few words of index

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

FIRST EDITION of Apollinaire's most beautiful war poems, some of which had appeared in a mimeographed edition of 25 copies printed at the Front in 1915; Picasso's portrait depicts his head bandaged after a shrapnel wound received in 1916. This edition appeared very shortly after Apollinaire's death in November 1918.

"From being an intellectual Diaghilev, an entrepreneur between poetry and painting, Apollinaire flung himself vigorously into the great war; he was wounded, trepanned and died of Spanish 'flu within a week of Wilfred Owen... Some of the best war-poems in any language are to be found here..." (Connolly, The Modern Movement).