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

Corsi’s Corsican songs and notes❦ Corse Ciosi notes & chansons

Marie-Louise d'Orléans: A Royal Portrait❦ Orléans MARIE-LOUISE D’ORLEANS 1864

Joseph Bonaparte’s Political & Military Memoirs❦ DU CASSE Mémoires et correspondance politique et militaire du roi joseph

18th-Century Russian Tsarinas Unveiled❦ Russie Les surprenantes Tsarines du XVIIIe siècle

Alsatian Memoirs of a Swallow❦ Mémoires d’une Hirondelle. Histoire Alsacienne

The Slave: A Novel❦ L’esclave. Roman SM

Auvergne's Folk in 1928: Types & Costumes❦ Pourrat ceux d’Auvergne – types et costumes 1928

Maurice Brillant's profound love reflection❦ BRILLANT MAURICE LE PLUS BEL AMOUR + dédicace

Prevost’s Provincial Tale on Holland Paper❦ MARCEL PREVOST MISSETTE. LA PAILLE DANS L’ACIER. PROVINCIALE. ex sur Hollande

Biblical Images with Hofer’s Lithographs❦ BIBLE Images bibliques. – Illustrations d’André Hofer

Léontine’s Six Life Stages❦ enfantina Les six âges de Léontine

Love's Wandering Players by Francis de Miomandre❦ MIOMANDRE (Francis de). Les Baladins d’amour

COCTEAU’s Wedding Hall in Menton Town Hall❦ COCTEAU La salle des mariages. Hôtel de ville de Menton

Lapérouse: Spirits of Vanikoro Mystery❦ Lapérouse Les esprits de Vanikoro : le mystère Lapérouse

Marie-Madeleine Sersim by Serge Délain❦ curiosa Délain Marie-Madeleine Roman photo

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