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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Airship Views over Paris and Nancy, 1909❦ Avenue de l’Alma et place de l’Alma passage du dirigeable de guerre république

Saint-Jean-de-Luz beach panoramic view (1901)❦ Saint-Jean de Luz vue générale de la plage (carte nuage) 1901

Art Nouveau golden and embossed binding❦ Belle époque ART NOUVEAU dorée et gaufrée

Mafia Patriarch Balsamo Giuseppe Battista❦ Balsamo Giuseppe Battista MAIN NOIRE mafia PARRAIN

Art Nouveau embossed Jugendstil bookplate❦ Jungenstil ART NOUVEAU gaufré BRW 415

Dancer at the Moulin Rouge in grand écart❦ DANSEUSE au moulin rouge grand écart SAGER

Vimy Ridge - Canadian Trench Frontline Views❦ VIMY RIDGE – Tranchée canadienne 1ère ligne 12 vues

Art Nouveau illustrations by KOSA❦ Art nouveau KOSA illustrateur

Art Nouveau by illustrator KOSA❦ Art nouveau KOSA illustrateur

Nantes and its transporter bridge❦ Nantes la nacelle du pont transbordeur

Saint-Sulpice-laurière station and depot in 1910❦ Saint-Sulpice-laurière la gare- le dépot 1910

Old Marseille: 13 Rue de la Rose, 1903❦ VIEUX MARSEILLE 13 rue de la rose 1903

Industrial prints of French foundries and aerostation❦ Fonderie usine du pied-selle fonderie ISSOUDUN Indre

Aviators and hunts in early 20th-century France❦ dernière expulsion départ de Saint-Antoine, cherchez son cochon

Belle Époque postcards set❦ Belle époque 3 cartes-postales

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