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

Ste-Foy-la-Grande: Place des Victoires & Rue de la République❦ STE-FOY-LA-GRANDE – La Place des Victoires et la Rue de la République

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

147th Infantry Regiment NCOs❦ infanterie 147 e régiment d’infanterie les sous-officiers

Vintage pull-out scenic card, 80 x 120 mm❦ Belle époque carte à système 80 x 120 mm.

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

Cardboard creation for tobacco shop❦ Azy Cher le bureau de tabac

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

Military chaplains in Fez, Morocco❦ aumoniers militaires à Fez MAROC

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

1900s elegant blue postcards set❦ Belle époque 6 cartes-postales élégantes en bleu

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

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