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

Companies of the Indies❦ Compagnies des Indes

Bretagne Per Jakez Le Cheval d'Orgueil. Mémoires d'un Breton du Pays Bigouden❦ bretagne Per Jakez Le cheval d’orgueil. Mémoires d’un Breton du pays bigouden

William Shakespeare Complete Works❦ Shakespeare William Oeuvres complètes Bonnot

Verne Jules LE SPHINX DES GLACES Hetzel

Prosper Mérimée Venus d'Ille, Double Méprise, Les Âmes du Purgatoire❦ Merimee Prosper Venus d’Ille Double Meprise Les Ames du Purgatoire ill-Labocetta

Rose de Bakawali❦ rose de Bakawali PIAZZA

Caran d'Ache NOS SOLDATS DU SIECLE❦ Caran d’Ache NOS SOLDATS DU SIECLE

Occultism THE CHARIOT. MONTHLY REVIEW OF EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY AND OCCULTISM❦ Occultisme LE CHARIOT. REVUE MENSUELLE PSYCHOLOGIE EXPERIMENTALE ET D’OCCULTISME

ROLLAND ROMAIN / SAFFREY ALFRED UNE AMITIE FRANCAISE + dedication❦ ROLLAND ROMAIN / SAFFREY ALFRED UNE AMITIE FRANCAISE + dédicace

Alzire ou les américains… theatre poster 1798 IV prairial Year VI❦ Alzire ou les américains….affiche théâtre 1798 IV prairial AN VI

Chine RANDON (Maréchal Count) BLONDEL (General) Account of the China Expedition❦ Chine RANDON (Maréchal Cte) BLONDEL (Général) Relation de l’Expédition de Chine

airplane Paul d'IVOI L'aéroplane fantôme ill.-Bombed❦ avion Paul d’IVOI L’aéroplane fantôme ill-Bombled

Directory Bulletin of the laws of the French Republic year IV❦ directoire Bulletin des lois de la République Française an IV

Balzac La Fontaine ornamented with thirty vignettes drawn by Devéria 1826❦ Balzac La Fontaine ornées de trente vignettes dessinées par Devéria 1826

Poland Mickiewicz, Ladislas The Tales of an Old Polish Gentleman❦ Pologne Mickiewicz, Ladislas Les Récits D’un Vieux Gentilhomme Polonais

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