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

Autographed manuscript letter❦ Lettre manuscrite autographe Michel Robida

Signed letter from Jacques Duhamel❦ Jacques Duhamel Lettre signée

Autographed manuscript postcard signed by LOUIS JOXE❦ LOUIS JOXE carte autographe manuscrite signée

Autographed manuscript letter signed by GAXOTTE❦ Pierre Gaxotte lettre manuscrite autographe & signée

History of the Saint-Amable Abbey❦ Abbaye de Saint-Amable de Riom

1959 Autographed Letter from the US Embassy❦ Ambassade des états-unis 1959 Lettre autographe

The Last Message by Eve Amitiste❦ Eve Amitiste Le dernier message

White and Black Magic in India❦ inde Magie blanche et magie noire aux Indes

Autograph letter to poet Fernand Gregh❦ Duc de LA FORCE Lettre autographe manuscrite

Beautiful signed letter❦ Michel Debré lettre

Photography and Literature in Russia❦ Arthur Miller In Russia 1969

Autographed letter from the poet❦ Marquis de Magallon d’Argens carte autographe

Autographed letter to poet Fernand Gregh❦ ROBERT de TRAZ lettre autographe manuscrite & signée

Beautiful handwritten letter❦ La Force lettre autographe

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

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