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.

Enter your keyword

Books, Comics, Magazines

Century of French Aviation History❦ Aviation Les riches heures de l’Aéro-Club de France 1898 – 1998

Kipling’s Colonial Tales in Black and White❦ KIPLING RUDYARD AU BLANC ET NOIR 1908

Royal Crown Jewels of Europe❦ Joyaux des couronnes d’Europe

Historical map of Venetian Alps & Karst❦ Venedig Karte der Süd Venetianischen Alpen und Karst 75 x 51 cm 1/250000

Arabian Nights in 19th-century French edition❦ GALLAND LES MILLE ET UNE NUITS 1832

145 Woodworking Examples by Fuentès❦ menuiserie Fuentès 145 exemples de menuiserie

Renaissance Art in Lower Normandy 1975❦ Renaissance en Basse-Normandie 1975

French Plan: Doctrine & Action (1935)❦ Marcel DÉAT Comité du Plan Le Plan français. Doctrine et Plan d’Action 1935

30mm Plaster Medal❦ Médaille en plâtre 30 mm

1978 French High Society Directory❦ Bottin mondain 1978

Napoleonic Wars in the Eastern Pyrenees❦ Campagnes de la Révolution Française dans les Pyrénées Orientales 1861

Golden Bird: A Deluxe Japon Paper Edition❦ Tharaud L’oiseau d’or exemplaire sur papier Japon

Carlegle’s whimsical guide to household virtues❦ CARLEGLE La chasse à l’éléphant ou « les Vertus ménagères »

French Caricature and Humor in the 19th Century❦ CARICATURE ET L’HUMOUR FRANÇAIS AU XIX ème siécle

Lime spatulas from Melanesia❦ spatules à chaux de Mélanésie

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

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