Livres anciens Guillaume Apollinaire: guide du collectionneur

With us, every book is examined page by page. We verify the authenticity of original editions, the integrity of the plates, and the absence of excessive restoration. No anonymous stock: each copy is unique, with its own history and particularities. This guide helps you distinguish accessible pieces from rarities, without unnecessary jargon.

Why collect Apollinaire?

Apollinaire published few books during his lifetime, making his original editions all the more desirable. His works blend poetry, eroticism, and avant-garde, often accompanied by illustrations by major artists. A well-preserved copy, with its original binding and intact plates, can command high prices.

Collectors also seek his collaborations with journals such as the Mercure de France, where he published previously unpublished texts. These issues, if complete and in good condition, are valuable witnesses to his work. Provenance also matters: an inscription or an autograph dedication adds a historical dimension to the object.

Identifying an original edition

An original edition of Apollinaire is first identified by its imprint. Early print runs often bear the words “édition originale” or a date prior to 1920. Copies on laid paper, with untrimmed margins, are more sought-after than those on ordinary paper.

Illustrated books, such as Le Poète assassiné or L’Œuvre du divin Arétin, must include all their engravings. A missing or restored plate reduces value. Period bindings, in half-calf or full-cloth, are preferable to modern bindings, even if the latter may protect a fragile copy.

Beware of reprints: some publishers have reproduced Apollinaire’s texts without always indicating that these were later print runs. A specialist bookseller can confirm the authenticity of a work by cross-referencing bibliographic details.

Common pitfalls

Novice collectors are sometimes misled by incomplete copies. A book such as La Rome des Borgia must contain all its illustrations, including the plates outside the text. Issues of journals, such as those from the Mercure de France, must be complete, with their original wrappers and advertisements.

Modern bindings, while practical, can sometimes conceal flaws. Overly visible restoration, such as spine repair with unsuitable paper, can devalue a book. Non-signed inscriptions or printed dedications should also be avoided: only expertise can distinguish a genuine autograph dedication from a fake.

Finally, beware of prices that are too low. An original edition of Apollinaire cannot be found for a few euros. An attractive price often hides a major defect: missing plates, damaged binding or undisclosed reprint.## How we can helpWe check every book before offering it. This means: verifying the colophon, examining plates, checking for restorations and verifying provenance. If an item has a defect, we mention it clearly, without omission.We also appraise books you wish to sell. A free expert assessment will reveal the true value of a work, taking into account its condition and rarity. No vague estimate: we explain our criteria and justify our proposals.Delivery is free for all orders, and you have 14 days to return a book if its condition does not match the description. No surprises: what you see in the photo is what you receive.## A selection from our stockAmong the items currently available are issues of the Mercure de France containing texts by Apollinaire, such as the 1918 number. These complete journals, in good condition, are witnesses to his influence on the literature of the time.Literary erotica enthusiasts will appreciate L’Œuvre du divin Arétin or La Rome des Borgia, two illustrated works that blend boldness and poetry. Collectors of illustrated books may also be interested in Ombre de mon amour, with lithographs by Picasso.For rarer pieces, La Femme assise or L’Œuvre du Comte de Mirabeau offer examples of sought-after original editions. Each book is accompanied by a detailed description, including its particularities and any defects.## Preserving and protecting booksAn old book should be kept away from light and moisture. A stable temperature, between 18 and 20 degrees, and a humidity level of around 50 % will preserve the paper and binding. Avoid metal or untreated wooden shelves, which can emit acids.For fragile books, a conservation box made of neutral cardboard protects against repeated handling. Leather or cloth bindings should be gently dusted with a soft brush, without using chemical products. If restoration is necessary, entrust it to a professional: an unskilled intervention can cause more damage than it repairs.## Our available works by Guillaume ApollinaireOur current stock includes around 29 works bearing the name ‘Apollinaire’: old editions, illustrated copies, period bindings, common copies and rarer pieces. Each item is photographed and described by our team.

No copy available at the moment: come back soon, the stock changes every week.

## Frequently asked questions### How can I tell if an edition is truly original?

An original edition of Apollinaire generally bears the mention ‘first edition’ or a date prior to 1920. Early print runs are often printed on laid paper, with untrimmed margins. A specialist bookseller can confirm authenticity by checking the imprint date and bibliographic references.

What determines the value of an Apollinaire book?

Value depends on several criteria: the edition (first or later printing), condition (complete, without excessive restoration), binding (period or modern), and provenance (inscription, autograph dedication). Illustrated books, such as those with Picasso engravings, are particularly sought after.

Should one favour a period binding or a modern one?

A period binding, if in good condition, is always preferable. It reflects the book’s history and can enhance its value. A modern binding, by contrast, may protect a fragile copy but can obscure defects and carries less weight with collectors.

How to avoid counterfeits or undisclosed later printings?

Counterfeits are rare for Apollinaire, but undisclosed later printings do occur. To avoid them, compare the imprint date with known bibliographic references. A specialist bookseller can also verify authenticity by examining the paper, plates, and any provenance marks.

Further reading

For further reading, explore our stock dedicated to other major authors: Victor Hugo, whose illustrated first editions are collector’s pieces, Stendhal, with his rare novel editions, Alphonse Daudet and his regionalist works, Paul Valéry, for his poems and essays, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, whose 18th-century editions are highly sought after, or Jean de La Fontaine, for his fables illustrated by renowned artists.

Do you own books by Guillaume Apollinaire? We provide valuations and purchases.