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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Iconographic documents on Stendhal❦ Stendhal. Documents iconographiques.

Napoleon III’s Hidden Legacy❦ Silences sur le Second Empire

PIGAULT-LEBRUN: The Quote Master❦ PIGAULT-LEBRUN Le Citateur 1830

Defense of Christianity Discussions❦ FRAYSSINOUS Défense du Christianisme, ou Conférences sur la religion 1825

Telemachus adventures - rare leather binding❦ Fénélon Aventures de Télémaque Tarlier

Exploration of Emin Pasha by Stanley❦ Stanley au secours D’Émin – Pacha 1890

Zurbarán - Grand Palais exhibition catalog❦ Zurbarán : Paris, Galeries nationales du Grand Palais 1988

The Amethyst Ring - Comic History trilogy❦ FRANCE Anatole ex. sur vélin du Marais Balthasar. L’anneau d’Améthyste. Hist..

Archaeological Discoveries in China❦ CHINE DES PROFONDEURS DE LA TERRE CHINOISE

Petrodvorets, Pushkin & Pavlovsk: Ruins and Renewal❦ Russie Petrodvorets Pouchkine Pavlovsk ruines et renouveau

Egyptian Amulets: Archaeological Study❦ Amulets 1972

Zoology Lessons: Secondary Education for Young Women❦ LEÇONS DE ZOOLOGIE Enseignement secondaire des jeunes filles. 1881

Guide to the National Library's Prints❦ Le cabinet des estampes de la Bibliothèque Nationale. Guide du lecteur et du …

Interior Reflections in Poetry❦ GUERIN L’Homme intérieur 1901-1905

Treasures of the Tower❦ The Crown Jewels and other regalia in The Tower of London 1953

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