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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Lettres

Ludovic Halévy fine autograph letter, signed❦ Ludovic Halévy belle lettre autographe manuscrite

Henri Bordeaux autograph letter, signed❦ Henri BORDEAUX belle lettre autographe

Halévy Autograph Letter❦ Halévy Lettre autographe

Maurice DRUON autograph letter signed❦ Maurice DRUON lettre autographes signée

Maurice DRUON autograph letter signed from Algiers 1944❦ Maurice DRUON lettre autographes signée d’Alger 1944

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

New road code for vehicles❦ CODE nouveau code de la route, automobiles, motocyclettes, poids lourds… 1947

Autograph letter by Pierre Lyautey❦ Pierre Lyautey belle lettre autographe manuscrite

Announcement of the passing of a Marshal❦ Maréchal FOCH faire-part de décès

Autographed letter by Maurice Bedel❦ Maurice Bedel lettre autographe manuscrite

Beautiful autograph manuscript letter❦ XANROF belle lettre manuscrite autographe

Autograph Letter to Fernand Gregh❦ Gabriel Hanotaux lettre autographe

Beautiful handwritten letter from 1934❦ Jean d’Orsay belle lettre autographe manuscrite

Signed typed letter from Pierre Mendes-France❦ Pierre MENDES-FRANCE lettre tapuscrite signée

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

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

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