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

Victor Hugo’s Orientalist Poetry❦ HUGO LES ORIENTALES 1857 Hetzel

Jules Verne’s World: Educational Guide❦ verne monde de Jules Verne doc-pédagogique

Barricades: 150 Historic Photographs❦ BARRICADES. Suite de 150 photographies groupées par Andre PAPILLON

The Lover❦ DURAS Marguerite L’AMANT 1984

Chardonne on love beyond romance❦ Chardonne L’amour : c’est beaucoup plus que l’amour

Feminine beauty in floral motifs by Dignimont and friends❦ Dignimont – BELMONDO – BRAYER – BELMONDO – DORGELES …Femmes fleurs et branches

Midnight Confession with original lithograph❦ DUHAMEL Georges Confession de minuit lithog. de Berthold Mann

Strasbourg Historical Museum Guide❦ Strasbourg Musée historique de la ville de Strasbourg

Lamartine’s Literary Lectures in 8 Volumes❦ LAMARTINE, Alphonse de Cours Familier de Littérature

Spain in Light and Shadow❦ Espagne GAMARRA 1961 Ombre et lumière d’Espagne. Photos de Nicole Brun

Floating Word by Guy Cabanel❦ SURRÉALISTE Guy Cabanel Le verbe flottant ill-Zimmermann

Gazing at flesh in shop windows❦ Beeckman Missir je regarde la chair dans les vitrines

Toulouse archives inventory pre-1790❦ Toulouse Roschach ville de Toulouse inventaire des archives communales..

Erotic Clerical Bibliography 1879❦ érotique Bibliographie clérico-galante. 1879

Mondor’s study on Barrès before Quartier Latin❦ MONDOR (Henri).- Maurice Barrès avant le quartier latin + dédicace

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