Question 1

How do you authenticate an antiquarian book before purchase?

Accepted Answer

Every La Librairie Antique listing explicitly mentions the first edition status (E.O. or 1st edition), print run, publication date (colophon), binding type (leather, parchment, gilding), format (12mo, folio, etc.), and detailed condition (foxing, dampstains, repairs if any). We provide multiple high-resolution photos. For items above 500 EUR, a provenance certificate is included when available.

Question 2

Do you ship to the United States? Will I pay import duties?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Antiquarian books ship duty-free to the USA under HTS code 9903.01.31 ("informational materials" exception, still valid after the August 2025 de-minimis suspension). Delivery: 7-12 days via Colissimo International tracked, 3-5 days via DHL Express. State sales tax may apply depending on your state (typically 0-9%).

Question 3

What payment methods do you accept from international buyers?

Accepted Answer

All major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB), PayPal with Buyer Protection (recommended for non-EU customers), SEPA bank transfer for Europe, and SWIFT international wire for orders above 2000 EUR. Stripe-secured checkout (PCI-DSS Level 1).

Question 4

What is your return policy?

Accepted Answer

30-day return window for international buyers. Full refund (including return shipping) if the book does not match our description. Convenience returns: buyer covers return postage, refund issued upon receipt of the book in its original condition.

Question 5

How can I verify a first edition?

Accepted Answer

A first edition (often abbreviated E.O. in French) is the first published version of a work. Identifiers: print run statement at the front/back, colophon date, paper and format specifications, reference bibliographies (Vicaire, Carteret for French literature, Sadleir for 19th century English literature). Every listing mentions first edition status explicitly when applicable.

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Books, Comics, Magazines

COURTELINE (Georges) Oeuvres complètes illustrées HEMARD

Balzac La Peau de chagrin 1831 First Edition❦ Balzac Peau de chagrin 1831 EO

VERLAINE (Paul) BECAT Chansons pour elle, and Odes en son honneur❦ VERLAINE (Paul) BECAT Chansons pour elle, et Odes en son honneur

André Breton. The Manifestos of Surrealism followed by .. on Alfa❦ André Breton. Les manifestes du surréalisme suivi de..sur Alfa

PROUST Proust Marcel La Nouvelle Revue Française on vellum 1923❦ PROUST Proust Marcel La Nouvelle Revue Française sur vélin 1923

Satire Le Tintamarre – French satirical weekly, 1882❦ Satire Le Tintamarre est un hebdomadaire satirique français 1882

Rabier Benjamin Au temps où les bêtes parlaient breton

André Breton, Poèmes + inscribed dedication❦ BRETON André Poèmes + dédicace

Surrealism Abridged Dictionary of Surrealism 1938❦ Surréalisme Dictionnaire abrégé du surréalisme 1938

GAUGUIN, Paul The smile of Paul Gauguin❦ GAUGUIN, Paul Le sourire de Paul Gauguin

China, the Third Giant: China❦ Chine troisième géant: La Chine

BRETON (André) La Brèche. Surrealist Action 8/8❦ BRETON (André) La Brèche. Action surréaliste 8/8

Breton (André) Entretiens DEDICATION + S.P.❦ BRETON (André) Entretiens DEDICACE + S.P.

Bécat Louys Pierre, La Femme et le Pantin❦ Bécat Louys Pierre, La femme et le Pantin

François Leperlier - Jorge Camacho. Edifices de Mélancolie + inscribed dedication❦ François Leperlier – Jorge Camacho. Edifices de Mélancolie + dédicace

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