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

Nostradamus: Histories and Prophecies to 2000❦ Nostradamus, Historien et prophète : Les prophéties de 1555 à l’an 2000

Parisian High Society Directory 1939❦ Bottin mondain 1939

Oceania: Geographical and Ethnographic Survey of the Pacific❦ Océanie DOMENY DE RIENZI L’UNIVERS océanie ou cinquième partie de monde 1836

Hubert Robert's Rome in Sanguine, 1930❦ Rome d’Hubert Robert 1930 SANGUINES

Wolfgang Paalen: A Surrealist Vision❦ WOLFGANG PAALEN 1980

Ancient Greek tales in 19th-century translation❦ Louÿs Scènes de la vie des courtisanes Lucien de Samosate + dédicace

Classic 1950s French Pastry Guide❦ patisserie MATHIOT GINETTE JE SAIS FAIRE LA PATISSERIE 1955

Tolstoy’s Resurrection in Original 1900 Edition❦ TOLSTOI Léon Résurrection 1900 EO

Scientific recreations without lab equipment❦ TISSANDIER Récréations scientifiques ou L’Enseignement par les Jeux

Masini’s Romantic Lithography Album, 1844❦ ALBUM DE F. MASINI 1844 lithographies, Nanteuil

1810: The Spark of Spanish America's Revolution❦ Révolution de l’Amérique espagnole en 1810

Mondor’s study on Barrès before Quartier Latin❦ MONDOR (Henri).- Maurice Barrès avant le quartier latin + dédicace

1882 leather document case with calligraphy and heraldry❦ Etui 16 février 1882 plein cuir CORRESPONDANCE ART D’ECRIRE ARMOIRIE

Belle du Seigneur by Albert Cohen❦ COHEN Albert BELLE DU SEIGNEUR GALLIMARD 1990

Exploration of Global Circus Life❦ Cirque Vie aux quatre coins du globe. Les étapes du cirque Zoulof

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