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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Themes

SEM Colette Willy tournée Ch. Baret

Mucha JOB cigarette paper calendar 1897❦ mucha papier à cigarette JOB mucha calendrier 1897

SEM collection des cent Comte de Pardailhan

North Africa - Shortened Maps❦ Sandoz 3 CPA AFRIQUE DU NORD

Complete series of Gabard's Vieux Garcon❦ Gabard VIEUX GARCON X 10 CPA série complète

African Hunter with Engravings❦ Chasseur d’Afrique BRIGADIER 1901 Malespine del. Bergeret Nancy

Mexican Military History❦ Brigadier de dragons 1900 Malespine del. Bergeret Nancy

Algerian Spahis from 1901❦ Spahis Algérien 1901 Malespine del. Bergeret Nancy

Damaged poster about bicycles❦ affiche crevée L’AUTO-VELO

Illustrated satire from 1903❦ assiette au beurre affiche crevée l’assiette au beurre 1903

State railway map from Paris to London❦ BRIGHTON chemin de fer de l’état Paris à LONDRES… 7 CPA

Railway routes and excursions in France❦ chemin de fer de Paris à Orléans 9 CPA

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