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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Mosquée Orient original drawing in ink signed PL 1903❦ Mosquée Orient dessin original à l’encre signée PL 1903

Trench of the first line Madagascar Diego Suarez 1917❦ Tranchée de première ligne Madagascar Diego Suarez 1917

Wrestler Cara Achmed, famous wrestler❦ Lutteur cara achmed célèbre lutteur

postcard containing a short love note dated 1 January 1866❦ carte-postale contenant un petit mot d’amour daté du 1e janvier 1866

reservists our painful farewells HOPITAL-DEPOT Fontainebleau 1915❦ réservistes nos douloureux adieux HOPITAL-DEPOT Fontainebleau 1915

Vic-Fezensac, Les Arcades, 32, Gers❦ Vic-Fezansac les arcades 32 GERS

humour souvenir de Barbazan

hand-coloured postcard with original illustration and personalised collage by an amateur artist❦ carte-postale illustré dessin et d’un collage personnalisé d’une artiste-amateur

Mauritius 2 postcards 1918 Île Maurice❦ Mauritius 2 cartes postales 1918 Île Maurice

Artistic Nude August 1917❦ Nu artistique aout 1917

Manciet Avenue de la Gare 1906 32 Gers

a thousand caresses from your big one who adores you❦ mille caresses de ton gros qui t’adore

Original ink drawing of an Oriental mosque❦ Mosquée Orient dessin original à l’encre signée PL 1903

Automobile landscape of Novalaise❦ automobile Novalaise, col de la Crusille

Detective story set in France❦ Papillon & tête angélique / Commissaire de police

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