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

Buster Brown and His Dog❦ Buster Brown, son chien

1930s Parisian department store director novel❦ PINCHON J.-P. FRIMOUSSET DIRECTEUR DES GRANDS MAGASINS AMELONDE

Oriental studies and travel memories❦ Études et souvenirs sur l’orient et ses missions Palestine, Syrie & Arabie 1883

Paris demolished: Gautier’s preface in fine binding❦ Paris démoli + envoi de l’auteur à Fournier académicien/ reliure de Pagnant

Xavier de Maistre’s introspective tales with Musset’s ex-libris❦ MAISTRE (Xavier) Oeuvres Voyage autour de ma chambre…ex-libris de A. de MUSSET

Mysteries of Life: Occult Sciences Journal 1913❦ magie VIE MYSTERIEUSE-REVUE DE SPIRITISME, MAGNETISME, MAGIE, ASTROLOGIE..1913

Marvels of the Invisible World❦ MERVEILLES DU MONDE INVISIBLE mini 1880

Eighteenth-century libertine novel with erotic engravings❦ Couvray Les amours du chevalier de Faublas 1884

November 1922 issue of fashion magazine❦ Harper’s Bazar November 1922

Byzantium in 1901 illustrated by Leroux❦ Lombard (Jean) Byzance 1901, illustré par Leroux

Voltaire’s epic poem on Henry IV with critical essay❦ Voltaire Henriade en dix chants avec la dissertation sur la mort d’Henri IV 1791

Hémard’s satirical medical dictionary❦ Hémard – L’Académie de l’Humour Français. Dictionnaire humoristique de la médec

Voltaire’s Henriade and Temple du Goût, 1802❦ mini la henriade poème 1802

Uncle Thomas by PIGAULT-LEBRUN (1800)❦ PIGAULT-LEBRUN Mon Oncle Thomas 1800

Celtic Art in the Zodiac Tradition❦ Gaulois l’art Gaulois Zodiaque

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