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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Secret Diaries of WWI 1914-1918❦ Guerre 14-18 CARNETS SECRETS 1914-1918 D’ABEL FERRY + dédicace

Autograph letter signed by RENALDO HAHN to PROUST❦ RENALDO HAHN PROUST Lettre autographe manuscrite signée

French Literary and Arts Periodical❦ Le courrier français 1886-1889

RUTEBEUF Complete Works of RUTEBEUF, 13th-century trouvère, Elzevirian Library❦ RUTEBEUF Oeuvres complètes de RUTEBEUF, trouvère du XIIIe bib. Elzévirienne

Mallarmé’s Keys: A Critical Study❦ Mallarmé Les clefs de Mallarmé + dédicace

Practical Illustrated Printing Guide❦ Imprimeur nouveau guide pratique illustré de l’imprimerie

Ronsard’s Complete Works in Elzevirs❦ RONSARD Oeuvres complètes de P. de Ronsard bib. Elzévirienne

50th Anniversary of EFEO❦ indo-chine Le cinquantenaire de l’Ecole Française d’Extrême-Orient 1953

Manzi Collection: Ancient European and Oriental Ceramics❦ céramique COLLECTION MANZI. CERAMIQUE. CATALOGUE DES FAÏENCES ANCIENNES

The Living Keel by Kessler❦ quille KESSLER La quille vivante

Moroccan Goumier: The Legend of Saïd❦ maroc Goumier légende du Goumier Saïd

Renault Juva: Performance & Savings Guide❦ Juva RENAULT votre Juva

Agricultural Journal of Practical Farming❦ Agriculture JOURNAL D’AGRICULTURE PRATIQUE

Roger Peyrefitte’s Jeunes proies with author’s dedication❦ PEYREFITTE. Roger. Jeunes proies + dédicace

THIERRY’s historical letters on France❦ THIERRY Augustin. Lettres sur l’histoire de France 10 ans d’études historiques

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