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

BARRÈS’ Journey to Sparta❦ BARRES Maurice Le voyage de Sparte EO

Autograph letter to poet Fernand Gregh❦ Georges Lecomte Académie Française Lettre autographe manuscrite

Autographed card from poet Fernand Gregh❦ Louis Madelin carte autographe

Eve Amitiste’s Final Message❦ Eve Amitiste Le dernier message

From Baudelaire to Surrealism❦ RAYMOND MARCEL DE BAUDELAIRE AU SURREALISME

Autograph letter signed by Bernard Privat❦ Bernard Privat lettre signée

Elementary Geography Course❦ Eléments de géographie. Cours élémentaire 1900

Two autograph letters by Daniel ROPS❦ Daniel ROPS 2 belles lettres manuscrites autographes

Jules Cambon’s autograph letter to poet Fernand Gregh❦ Jules Cambon lettre autographe

Autograph Letter by Auguste Garnier❦ Auguste Garnier Lettre autographe

Elementary Atlas for Geographical Studies❦ PETIT ATLAS ELEMENTAIRE, DRESSE POUR LA PETITE GEOGRAPHIE …

Jules Romains autograph letter❦ Lise jules Romain belle lettre autographe manuscrite

Jean Paulhan’s signed typed letter to Gallimard❦ JEAN PAULHAN lettre tapuscrite & signée GALLIMARD

General Geography - Earth's Discovery❦ Géographie générale – Découverte de la Terre. 1938

Autograph letter by Marcelle ADAM❦ Marcelle ADAM belle lettre autographe manuscrite

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