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

1925 Geometry Manual for Grades 4 & 3❦ PRECIS DE GEOMETRIE PLANE – CLASSES DE 4è ET 3è. 1926

Benin Art: Masterpieces from the Kingdom❦ BENIN L’ART DU BENIN

Sheet Metal Layout Techniques 1948❦ traçage de chaudronnerie 1948

Legion Memorial 1966: Rare Edition with Uniforms & Facsimiles❦ LEGION MEMORIAL DE LA LEGION ETRANGERE 1966

Illustrated encyclopedia of Japanese family crests❦ Japanese family crest

Official Records of Old Paris (1914-1915)❦ PARIS COMMISSION MUNICIPALE DU VIEUX PARIS,1914/15

Charlemagne in lavish 19th-century edition❦ Charlemagne VETAULT (GAUTIER, Léon) Charlemagne

1907-1908 Sunday Gaulois Collection❦ LE GAULOIS DU DIMANCHE 1907-1908

Sebastiano Serlio: Renaissance Architect❦ Sebastiano Serlio : architecte de la renaissance

1940 Jewel Pocket Agenda❦ Mini calendrier agenda bijou 1940

Algerian Architecture: 1974 Collector's Edition❦ ARCHITECTURE ALGERIENNE

Village Scholar’s Enlightenment in 1839❦ Mini MAITRE PIERRE OU LE SAVANT DE VILLAGE 1839

Gautier’s Romanticism History, 1874❦ GAUTIER HISTOIRE DU ROMANTISME 1874

Colart’s Comparative French History with Engravings❦ Histoire de France Méthodique et Comparée, 75 gravures, 1835

Playing History: France in Toy Scenes❦ MONTORGUEIL et JOB Jouons à l’Histoire. La France mise en scène avec les joujoux

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