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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Collections|Letters, Old Documents|Letters

Maréchal FOCH faire-part de décès

Jacob Boehme De la signature des choses

Hanotaux lettre autographe manuscrite

Maurice DRUON lettre autographes signée

Autograph visiting card of the Duke and Duchess of Fezensac❦ Duc et duchesse de FEZENSAC carte de viste

Saviem Commercial Vehicle Guide❦ SAVIEM SUPER GOELETTE – Super-Galion SG2 SG4

French Heritage in Mississippi Valley❦ MISSISSIPPI ‘Héritage Français dans la Vallée du Mississippi

Silbermann's Exploration of Language❦ Silbermann L’autre langue Yeux fertiles

Beautiful signed handwritten letter❦ Robert DEBRE lettre autographe manuscrite & signée

Typed and signed letter by EDOUARD BONNEFOUS❦ EDOUARD BONNEFOUS lettre tapuscrite & signée

Autograph handwritten card by Henri BORDEAUX❦ Henri BORDEAUX carte manuscrite autographe

Beautiful autograph map❦ Raymond POINCARE belle carte

Selected poems and prose by Follain❦ FOLLAIN Jean Poèmes et prose choisis. Gallimard NRF, 1961

Autographed letter to M. F.D. Gregh❦ Mme Jules Romain lettre autographe manuscrite & signée

Journey to Sparta❦ BARRES Maurice Le voyage de Sparte EO

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