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

THEOCRITUS illustrated by MEAULLE Idylls 1884❦ THEOCRITE illustré par MEAULLE Les Idylles 1884

Algeria Guide to the Traveller in Algeria. Itinerary for the Scholar, the Artist 1847❦ algérie Guide du Voyageur en Algérie. Itinéraire du Savant, de L’artiste 1847

China Pidgin-English Sing-Song: Or Songs and Stories in the China-English Dialect❦ china Pidgin-English Sing-Song Or Songs And Stories In The China-english dialect

Balzac, Honoré de. Le Lys dans la vallée Full morocco binding❦ BALZAC, Honoré de. Le lys dans la vallée Reliure maroquin

Montparnasse Vivant 1962

Curiosa Jean de LA FONTAINE Tales and Stories illustrated Eisen & Fragonard❦ curiosa Jean de LA FONTAINE Contes et Nouvelles illustré Eisen & Fragonard

Phidias – His Life and Works 1861❦ Phidias – Sa vie et ses ouvrages 1861

Mémoires d'une demoiselle de bonne famille rédigés par elle-même by Feydeau❦ feydeau Mémoires d’une demoiselle de bonne famille rédigés par elle-même Feydeau

Jardin de Mademoiselle Jeanne. Botanique du vieux jardinier 1887

Joseph Burnichon, SJ, Un Jésuite, Amédée de Damas, 1821-1903❦ jésuite Burnichon Joseph Un Jésuite, Amédée de Damas, 1821-1903

HARMONIES PROVIDENTIELLES 1877

Buffon Histoire naturelle de Buffon 1804❦ buffon HISTOIRE NATURELLE DE BUFFON 1804

GERMAIN (José) Midnight. Histoire de vingt-sept nuits + dedication❦ GERMAIN (José) Minuit. Histoire de vingt-sept nuits + dédicace

German Pocket Dictionary German-French 1803❦ allemand Nouveau dictionnaire de poche allemand-françois 1803

Aphorisms of Hippocrates followed by Aphorisms of the School of Salerno❦ APHORISMES D’HIPPOCRATE suivis des APHORISMES DE L’ÉCOLE DE SALERNE

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