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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Polytechnic School Centennial Volume III: Civil Services❦ École polytechnique. Livre du centenaire 1794-1894 : tome III : Services civi…

Natural History of Simple Drugs, 1876❦ Drogues Histoire naturelle des drogues simples 1876

Wild Game Studies by Oberthur and Witt❦ Gibiers OBERTHUR WITT

Complete Works in Compact Two-Volume Edition❦ ROUSSEAU Oeuvres complètes en 2 vol.1826 petite typographie

Artistic and documentary review of rare and modern books❦ bibliophile Revue artistique et documentaire du livre ancien et moderne 1931-33

Mirabeau’s intimate letters from Vincennes prison❦ Mirabeau Lettres originales de Mirabeau, écrites du donjon de Vincennes 1803

Venice Through Festive Traditions❦ Venise en fêtes 1992

Ronsard’s Complete Works in 7 Volumes❦ Ronsard Laumonier Lemerre

Soliloquies, Manual and Meditations of Saint Augustine❦ SAINT-AUGUSTIN Les Soliloques, le Manuel, et les Méditations de S. Augustin 1725

1929 Illustrated Export Catalogue of M. M. Commissionnaires-Exportateurs❦ Catalogue D’exportation Illustre De M. M. Les Commissionnaires-Exportateurs 1929

1801 wordplay collection in calf binding❦ Mini ARLIQUINIANA, ou Jeux de mots de Dominique et autres..1801

Religious Wars in Auvergne (16th–17th c.)❦ AUVERGNE HISTOIRE DES GUERRES RELIGIEUSES EN AUVERGNE PENDANT LES XVIe & XVIIe

History of the 2nd Artillery Regiment 1899❦ Historique du 2me Régiment d’artillerie 1899

Paris street dictionary 1844❦ Paris Dictionnaire administratif et historique des rues de Paris 1844

Folard’s military insights on Polybius❦ GUERRE Folard découvertes sur la guerre, dans une dissertation sur Polybe 1753

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