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

Hyacinthe-Loyson Le collier des songes

Colomba and Other Tales by Mérimée❦ MERIMEE (Prosper) Colomba, suivi de La Mosaïque et Autres Contes et Nouvelles.

Tasso’s Jerusalem and Aminta (1823) in fine binding❦ Tasso La Gerusalemme e l’Aminta di Torquato Tasso 1823

Plaster medal, 53 mm❦ Médaille en plâtre 53 mm.

French Cavalry Manual 1935❦ Cavalerie MANUEL DU GRADE DE CAVALERIE (REGIMENTS METROPOLITAINS) A L’USAGE 1935

Animal Strike Illustrated by Vimar❦ Grève des animaux illust-Vimar

Guerin’s Centaur and Bacchante with Dedications❦ GUERIN MAURICE LE CENTAURE, Suivi de LA BACCHANTE…Reliquiae 1905+ dédicaces

Cherokee with author's signed inscription❦ ECHENOZ (Jean) Cherokee + dédicace

Heister’s 18th-century surgical treatise❦ Chirurgie Laurent HEISTER Institutions de chirurgie 1770

Exotic travels of a French sergeant through colonies❦ Ivoi (d’) Le sergent simplet à travers les colonies Françaises illust-Métivet

Spiritual Retreat Guide (1775)❦ Retraite spirituelle pour un jour de chaque mois 1775

1850 General Chemistry Atlas with Plates❦ chimie Cours de Chimie générale Atlas 1850

Witchcraft Objects: Healing and Cursing❦ sorcier Objets de sorcellerie : objets pour guérir, objets pour maudire 2008

Auvergne’s literary heritage and cultural identity❦ Auvergne PANORAMA DES LETTRES EN AUVERGNE & L’Auvergne et les Auvergnats

Paris by Horse in 1883: Crafty’s Witty Illustrations❦ CRAFTY Paris à cheval, texte et dessins par Crafty 1883

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