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

A tale of youthful authorship❦ L’auteur de quinze ans ou la croix de Marie 1858

Strasbourg Port Overview❦ Strasbourg LE PORT DE STRASBOURG + plan couleur

The German Empire in the Middle Ages❦ l’empire allemand au Moyen Âge 1951 Calmette

Ceylon's Enchantment with the British❦ Croisset Francis La féerie cingalaise. Ceylan avec les Anglais. demi-maroquin

Art Edition on Jade Flute❦ TOUSSAINT LA FLUTE DE JADE Piazza

Beautiful folding map of Ajaccio❦ Ajaccio, hachette, 1893, 57 x 56 cm

Complete Works of COURRIER, New Edition 1837❦ Courier Oeuvres complètes Courrier, nouvelles édition 1837

GOGOL's classic tale of revenge❦ GOGOL ianovski Tarass-Boulba

Editions du Dauphin, 1948❦ LECLERC EDITIONS DU DAUPHIN 1948

Self-installing bell and indicator systems❦ sonnerie Pour poser soi-même les sonneries et tableaux indicateurs

Exploration of Artificial Paradises❦ Baudelaire charles Les paradis artificiels

Charity Event Program❦ French Line Cie Gle Transatlantique

Wooden Crosses: A War Novel❦ DORGELES LES CROIX DE BOIS. ALBIN MICHEL

Bohemian Life Scenes - Numbered Edition❦ MURGER H. Scenes De La Vie De Bohème ex sur Lafuma

Literary Almanac with Tales, Fables & Songs❦ Almanach Littéraire ou Etrennes d’Apollon 1804

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