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

The Kings of France's Curse: When a King Loses France❦ DRUON Maurice LES ROIS MAUDITS – TOME 7 – QUAND UN ROI PERD LA FRANCE + dédicace

Leviathan: A rare 1955 edition with original frontispiece❦ GREEN, Julien. LEVIATHAN Frontispice de J.-P. REMON

Proudhon’s critique of social banking in 1849❦ Proudhon, Pierre-Joseph: Résumé de la question sociale, banque d échange 1849

1879 Paris Salon catalog of living artists❦ Explication des Ouvrages de Peinture, Sculpture, Architecture. 1879

Woman’s Happiness Through Astrology❦ Bonheur de la femme par l’astrologie

Polar noir by Maurice Raphaël under pseudonym❦ RAPHAEL MAURICE ) De deux choses l’une

Health guide for scholars (1769)❦ TISSOT De la santé des gens de lettres 1769

Recollections of the 1935 Affair❦ BLUM (Léon).- Souvenirs sur l’affaire 1935 EO

Animal Strike Illustrated by Vimar❦ Grève des animaux illust-Vimar

Guerin’s Centaur and Bacchante with Dedications❦ GUERIN MAURICE LE CENTAURE, Suivi de LA BACCHANTE…Reliquiae 1905+ dédicaces

Madame la Duchesse’s Secretary❦ TINSEAU Le Secrétaire de Madame la Duchesse

Alfred’s Picturesque Tour of France in 1841❦ Alfred ou le Jeune Voyageur en France 1841

Robert Macaire’s extraordinary life❦ MONTORGUEIL (Georges) La vie extraordinaire de Robert Macaire

Pierre Louÿs autograph letter to Madame Fernand Gregh❦ LOUYS Pierre Louys lettre autographe signée

1858 travel album of the Götha Canal❦ SUEDE GOTHA album for travellers on the Götha canal 1858

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