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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Autographed letter to poet Fernand Gregh❦ DANIEL HALEVY belle lettre autographe manuscrite

Beautiful signed letter❦ Hanotaux lettre autographe manuscrite

Handwritten letter from Edouard Detaille❦ Edouard Detaille 1890 Lettre autographe

Autographed letter from Gabriel de Lautrec❦ Gabriel de LAUTREC lettre autographe manuscrite & signée

Autographed Letter by Jules Romains❦ Lise jules Romain belle lettre autographe manuscrite

Autograph letter to poet Fernand Gregh❦ Halevy Lettre autographe au poète Fernand Gregh

Autographed letter by Robert Debré❦ Robert Debré lettre autographe signée

Autographed letter by Ludovic Halévy❦ Ludovic Halévy belle lettre autographe manuscrite

Autograph cards and letter regarding French literary society presidency❦ André Magre PRESIDENCE 4 cartes manuscrites & lettre

Handwritten letter by Maspero❦ Maspero lettre autographe manuscrite

Autographed postcard by Pierre Mendès France❦ Pierre Mendès France belle carte autographe manuscrite

Signed letter from Reynaldo Hahn❦ PROUST Reynaldo Hahn lettre signée

Proust’s autograph letter to Fernand Gregh❦ PROUST Reynaldo Hahn Lettre autographe signée

Autographed postcard by Henri Bergson❦ Henri Bergson belle carte autographe manuscrite

Autographed Letter by Pierre Brossolette❦ Pierre Brossolette lettre autographe signée

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