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

1989 Christie’s Jade Auction Catalog❦ JADE Fine Jade Carvings Jadeite Jewellery and Works of Art March 1989 Christie’s

Maurice DRUON autograph letter❦ Maurice DRUON lettre autographes signée

Fashion History of Western Costume from Antiquity to Present❦ Mode Histoire du costume en Occident de l’Antiquité à nos jours 1983

Surrealist Manifestos and Collective Declarations 1922-1969❦ Surréaliste TRACTS SURREALISTES ET DECLARATIONS COLLECTIVES 1922-1969

Japan in the 1950s: Humorous Cultural Clash❦ Japan CLEVELAND It’s better with Your Shoes off

Paul Hervieu’s autograph letters and cards❦ PAUL HERVIEU lettres & cartes autographes manuscrites & signées

Sacred History: Concise Biblical Overview 1839❦ DE BONNECHOSE EMILE HISTOIRE SACREE OU PRECIS HISTORIQUE 1839

Louis Barthou’s 4 handwritten notes to poet Fernand Gregh❦ LOUIS BARTHOU 4 billets autographes manuscrits

Corneille’s Comic Illusion: 17th-Century Comedy❦ CORNEILLE L’Illusion Comique

Helicopter Journey Around the World❦ hélicoptère Rotors autour du monde Cherche Midi 1999

Clarissa Harlowe’s Anglocentric Letters, Vol. 3❦ HARLOVE Lettres Angloises ou Histoire de Miss Harlove 1751

Remy de Gourmont through his physician's eyes❦ Remy de Gourmont, vu par son médecin

Poetic collages by Jacques Prévert❦ PREVERT Jacques Fatras Gallimard 1966

Illustrated History of Italian Cars to 1940❦ AUTO CANESTRINI Storia illustrata dell’auto italiana. dalle origini al 1940

Saint-Martin Abbey Cartulary, Pontoise, Vol. 3❦ Cartulaire de l’abbaye de Saint-Martin de Pontoise 3 ème fascicule

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