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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SACHA GUITRY: A Rare Play on Illness❦ GUITRY LA MALADIE ex H.C.

Pierre Charron’s Renaissance wisdom treatise❦ Charron, Pierre De la sagesse Trois livres Amsterdam 1782

Charlet and His Work: A Lithographic Masterpiece❦ Charlet et son oeuvre

Antique Gillette razor set in decorative box❦ Rasoir Gillette

Compiègne’s Curious Comedy, 1755❦ Compiègne curieux de Compiègne d’Ancourt 1755

Louis XIV’s Legal Codes & Normandy Customs❦ Mini Ordonnance de louis XIV roy de France et .. Coutume du pays de Normandie

Brantôme’s scandalous ladies anthology❦ érotique RECUEIL DES DAMES, par Pierre de Bourdeille Seigneur de Brantôme

La Fontaine's erotic tales illustrated by Fragonard❦ érotique CONTES DE LA FONTAINE illustrations de Fragonard

Mezeray’s Chronological History of France (1717)❦ Mezeray Abrégé chronologique de l’histoire de France 1717

Greece in 19th-century engravings❦ Grèce ALIGNY Vues des sites les plus célèbres de la Grèce Antique

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