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

Calbet & Loti’s Disillusioned Souls❦ CALBET LOTI Les Désenchantés 1936

Masterpieces of New Guinea Art in Jolika Collection❦ New Guinea Art Masterpieces from Jolika collection

Paris street lighting history 1904❦ Paris Histoire de l’éclairage des rues de Paris 1904

Insights into North Africa❦ Vérités sur l’Afrique du Nord

Complete illustrated works of Georges Courteline by Hémard❦ COURTELINE (Georges) Oeuvres complètes illustrées HEMARD

Analytical Chemistry Index 1858–1874❦ chimie Société Chimique de France Table Analytique des Matières

Medieval Breton feudal law study❦ Droit STROWSKI La Censive et le fief roturier en Bretagne

Frederick the Great: A New Life❦ Frédéric Le Grand Denina Nouvelle vie du Frederic II, Roi de Prusse 1789

Beekeeping guide: 40 lessons to start a hive❦ Miel Un rucher naît ( 40 leçons d’apiculture )

Victor Hugo’s Inner Voices and Shadows❦ Hugo, Victor Les Voix intérieures…

Botanical lectures from 1882❦ FABRE-J-H Lectures sur la botanique 1882

Welsh Bards: A Breton-Markale Anthology❦ (BRETON André) MARKALE Jean Les grands bardes gallois

Speech Organs and Sound Formation 1885❦ Voix organes de la parole 1885

Waverley in early 19th-century France❦ Sir Walter Scott Waverley, ou il y a soixante ans MINI

Roman heritage of the Rhine Valley❦ Rhénanie Quatre villes romaines de Rhénanie, Trèves -Mayence-Bonn-Cologne

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