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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Arcachon beachfront commercial streets❦ Arcachon boulevard de la plage COMMERCES

Vigne d'Oléron: 17th-century pruning techniques❦ VIGNE ile d’Oleron charente inf- la taille de la vigne 17

Antwerp Esperanto Congress 1911 postcard❦ BARBAZAN aux Thermes CARTE-PHOTO 1911

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

French postal history 1910❦ Bois-le-Roi la poste 77

Buenos Aires in 1903: A photographic journey❦ Buenos Aires calle piedad 1903 ARGENTINA

Early 20th-century railway stations in France❦ Solesmes la gare

First Communion Card❦ Communion Première communion 1896 150 x 95 mm.

Rare Orleans bookshop offering by Proutière - Huguet❦ librairie 45 ORLEANS Offert par la Maison Proutière – Huguet

Monaco’s Monte-Carlo roulette❦ Monaco la roulette de Monte-Carlo

Entrance to the Pinon Estate❦ Domaine de Pinon entrée du garde

Early 20th-century Paris metro construction postcards❦ PARIS LES TRAVAUX DU METROPOLITAIN DANS LE GRAND BRAS DE LA SEINE 1907

Hand-painted souvenir fan with floral motif❦ éventail rehaussé à la peinture 90 x 30 mm. Souvenir d’un coeur ami et dévoué

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

Gérardmer 1988: Schlucht Pass Railway Views❦ Gérardmer 88 le col de la Schlucht

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