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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Books, Comics, Magazines

A Lieutenant Under Louis XIV❦ Lieutenant de louis XIV

Artist’s Travel Sketches: Paris, Americas, Tahiti❦ Curiosa FABIANO Mes modèles à travers le monde

Duel Code of 1879: History and Legislation❦ Duel VERGER SAINT THOMAS Comte Nouveau Code du Duel. Histoire, Legislation 1879

Jean-Baptiste Deshays: A Forgotten Master of the 18th Century❦ Jean-Baptiste Deshays : 1729-1765

Brussels Municipal Museum Guide❦ Bruxelles le musée communal de Bruxelles

Ronsard’s Amours by Gibert Jeune 1949❦ RONSARD Les amours GIBERT JEUNE 1949

A visual exploration of Egypt❦ Egypt R.Talbot Kelly circa 1923

Chopin’s Russia: Peoples and Cultures in 1838❦ Russie CHOPIN L’univers. Histoire et description 1838

Victorian-era Parisian women's prison novel❦ Femme MAISON CENTRALE DE FEMMES-FIN DE LA SERIE DES MYSTERES MONDAINS 1875

Woman who returned to Africa illustrated by Serveau❦ femme qui était retournée en Afrique illustré par Serveau

1899 Bibliophile’s Almanac❦ Almanach du bibliophile pour l’année 1899

Gardens of Madness: A Journey Through Garden Worlds❦ jardin De Folie en Folies : La Decouverte du monde des jardins

Jules Verne Collection Catalogue from Nantes Museum❦ Verne Catalogue du fonds Jules Verne NANTES

Ice Sowers: Rare 1903 Adventure Novel with Stunning Illustrations❦ Ivoi, Paul Les Semeurs de Glace

Gorky Theatre Program from 1937 Paris Expo❦ RUSSIE Theatre académique d’art M. Gorky 1937

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