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

1960 Auto Guide for Europe & North Africa❦ Auto guide pour l’auto 1960

Bourdelle’s Message by Daniel Marquis-Sebie❦ message de Bourdelle

Lafayette’s Children’s Illustrated Series 13❦ images enfantines série 13 Lafayette

Julie or the New Heloise in 1819 edition❦ Rousseau Julie ou la Nouvelle Héloïse 1819

18th-Century Furniture & Objects Catalogue❦ catalogue des objets et d’ameublement du XVIIIe siècle Simone Berriau

Fernez’s Le Havre under English Occupation❦ LE HAVRE Fernez Le Havre 1936 – 1944. Le casque anglais

Blue Fairy Tales: The Goblin King & Nymph's Tale❦ contes bleus Le Roi des Gnomes : La nymphe de la source et autres contes

Naïve Paris guide by modern outsiders❦ Paris Guide Naïf de Paris – Paris through the eyes of the modern primitives

Catalogue of the Aynard Collection (1913)❦ COLLECTION EDOUARD AYNARD. Catalogue des TABLEAUX ANCIENS 1913

Barber of Seville & Dramatic Works❦ Beaumarchais Caron De. LE BARBIER DE SEVILLE

Kepi-Pompom and the Little Chatelaine❦ JOLINON KEPI-POMPOM OU LA PETITE CHATELAINE.

1877 illustrated mountain geography by Dupaigne❦ Montagnes (cartes en couleurs) 1877 Dupaigne

CORDAY’s Dedicated Novel on Social Hypocrisy❦ Corday, Michel Les Convenus dédicacé

1930 tobacco industry analysis in France❦ Tabac CAPUS LE TABAC 1930

1828 Greek Romance Novel in French Translation❦ Aventures de Hysminé et Hysminias 1828 mini

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