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

19th-century travel account of Greece and Egypt❦ Clarke TRAVELS IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES OF EUROPE ASIA AND AFRICA 1817

Toulet’s whimsical verse in 1920❦ TOULET COMME UNE FANTAISIE 1920

1924 Industrial Gas & Coke Production Manual❦ Gaz & Cokes: Manuel de La Fabrication & de L’Utilisation des gaz de distillation

Destouches: Selected Works (1827)❦ Destouches oeuvres choisies de Destouches 1827

A Gourmand’s Culinary Adventures❦ Cuisine les aventures d’un gourmand

Colonial Adventures of Prince Mokoko❦ Afrique Prince Mokoko. Jules Chancel. Les enfants aux colonies

Surrealist Vessels of Connection❦ BRETON ANDRE LES VASES COMMUNICANTS

Signed letter by Leprince Ringuet❦ Leprince Ringuet lettre signée

Scout World Jamboree: Quest for the Golden Arrow❦ Scout Powell World Jamboree The Quest of the golden Arrow

Norwegian-British-Swedish Antarctic Expedition 1949-1952❦ Maudheim, deux ans dans l’antarctique- L’expédition scientifique…

Miracles Valley: Water, History, and Legends❦ VALLEE DES MIRACLES : Le miroir des eaux – les champs catalauniques…

1936 Hachette Almanac: Practical Life Guide❦ Almanach Hachette – 1936 Petite Encyclopédie Populaire de la Vie Pratique.

François Coppée’s poetic ode to true wealth❦ COPPEE FRANCOIS LES VRAIS RICHES lemerre

Luxembourg Palace: Architectural Evolution❦ PALAIS DU LUXEMBOURG ET SES METAORPHOSES

Silverware design guide from 1973❦ argenterie – “Alpha décoration”

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