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

Three Signed Autograph Letters❦ Gabriel & Adrienne de LAUTREC 3 billets autographes manuscrits & signés

Autographed manuscript letter❦ Halevy Lettre autographe

4 handwritten autograph notes❦ ALFRED BERL 4 billets autographes manuscrites

Autographed Letter❦ Halevy Lettre autographe

Autograph letter to poet Fernand Gregh❦ Le Dantec lettre autographe

Technical reviews for motorcycling enthusiasts❦ MOTO Revue Technique Motocycliste 1952 …1957

Top Recipes for Bourgeois Pastry❦ CUISINE 1000 meilleures recettes de pâtisserie bourgeoise

Manuscripts by Pierre Louÿs and contemporaries❦ Louÿs Manuscrits de Pierre Louÿs et de divers auteurs contemporains 1926

Silver print portrait photograph❦ DE GAULLE photo argentique 18 x 24 cm

The Agarttha and the Mahatma: A 19th-Century Esoteric Revelation❦ Inde Mission de l’Inde en Europe

Revolutionary millenary movements, 11th-16th centuries❦ Fanatiques de l’Apocalypse – Courant millénaristes révolutionnaires …

Autographed letter by Anne-Jules de Noailles❦ Anne-Jules de Noailles belle lettre autographe manuscrite

Autographed manuscript card by Vladimir d'Ormesson❦ Vladimir d’Ormesson carte autographe manuscrite & signée

Beautiful signed letters from Robert Debré❦ Robert Debré 2 lettres

Beautiful Autograph Card and Letter❦ Lady Deterling carte & lettre autographe manuscrite

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

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