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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General and rational grammar of Port-Royal❦ Grammaire générale et raisonnée de Port-Royal. 1803

Memoirs and Tales of Fire❦ NERVAL LES FILLES DU FEU 1864

Insights into Louis XVI's Era❦ Louis XVI et ses vertus aux prises avec la perversité de son siècle 1808

Original notebooks from 1958-1964❦ MONTHERLANT Va jouer avec cette poussière (Carnets 1958-1964) pur fil

Chronological Summary of French History❦ Mezeray Abrégé chronologique de l’histoire de France 1717

Rare Holy Week Office Book❦ office de la semaine Sainte 1683 60 x 115 mm.

Napoleon's Egyptian Campaign❦ BONAPARTE : LA CAMPAGNE D’ÉGYPTE

MAUPASSANT Boule de Suif and Le Vengeur illustrated by Fred Money❦ MAUPASSANT Boule de suif et le vengeur illustrés Fred Money

Insight into Ottoman costumes❦ Ottoman costume book 1986 Turquie

Memoirs of General Auguste Colbert (1793-1809)❦ COLBERT Traditions et Souvenirs ou MEMOIRES 1866

Himalayan Primitive Art: Masks and Hidden Forms❦ À masque découvert. Regards sur l’art primitif de l’Himalaya

Reflections on Spirit and Manners❦ SENAC DE MEILHAN Considérations sur l’esprit et les moeurs. A Londres 1787

Chronological and historical gift almanac for 1788❦ Étrennes chronologiques et historiques 1788 mini

Selected Songs with Musical Notation❦ Mini Musique Cazin Chansons choisies, avec les airs notés 1782

Memoirs of a 19th Century Scientist❦ Boussingault (1801-1887) Mémoires de J.-B. Boussingault

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