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

Collected works of Alfred de Musset❦ MUSSET Oeuvres Charpentier confessions, premières poésies, nouvelles et contes

Gardening Almanac for 1904❦ JARDIN le bon jardinier 1904

Journey from Nizhny Novgorod to Paris❦ Russie TCHERNOFF Dans le creuset des civilisations. De Nijnii-Novgorod à Paris

Art Exhibition Review 1808❦ Salon de 1808

Collected Works of J. F. Ducis❦ DUCIS Oeuvres de J. F. Ducis 1826 mini Bibliothèque en Miniature

Selected Works of C.-F. Volney❦ Volney Oeuvres choisies de C.-F. Volney 1827 mini

Elegant Mini Wallet and Card Holder❦ porte cartes & étui & porte-monnaie maroquin MINI

Architectural Insights into Mansart❦ Mansart JULES HARDOUIN MANSART

Two signed letters from a French statesman❦ Pierre Mendès France 2 lettres signées

Exploration of Revolutionary Paris❦ Paris, LE NOUVEAU PARIS, 1800

Persian Letters by Montesquieu❦ MINI MONTESQUIEU Les lettres persanes 1826

Dialogues for Young Women's Education❦ Marie LEPRINCE de Beaumont Magasin des adolescentes ou dialogues..1761

Biography of Gérard de Nerval❦ GERARD DE NERVAL, LE POETE ET L’HOMME

Poetic reflections by Banville❦ Banville Odes Funambulesques 1859

Major Facts in Geography History - Complete 5-Vol Set❦ Géographie Les Grands faits de l’histoire de la géographie 1882

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

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