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

Funeral Orations by Bossuet❦ Bossuet Oraisons funèbres de Bossuet 1825

A critique of epic poetry❦ Voltaire La Henriade. Poëme 1813

Renaissance women in historical accounts❦ curiosa Brantome VIES DES DAMES GALANTES

Architectural insights on Ledoux❦ Nicolas Ledoux Architecte

Hama excavations and Carlsberg Foundation research 1931-1938❦ Hama Fouilles et Recherches de La Fondation Carlsberg 1931-1938

Lion Hunt adventure narrative with Doré illustrations❦ Chasse au Lion 1855 Gustave Doré

Grimm and Diderot: Unpublished Correspondence❦ Grimm Diderot Correspondance Inédite 1829

Words Make Love: Surrealist Quotations❦ LE BRUN ANNIE LES MOTS FONT L’AMOUR (CITATIONS SURREALISTES)

Collection of Tales from the Arabian Nights❦ GALLAND LES MILLE ET UNE NUITS 1832

History of the Bayeux Diocese❦ BAYEUX Histoire du diocèse de Bayeux, XVIIIe et XIXe siècles

Inner Voices and Shadows: Poetry Collection❦ Hugo, Victor Les Voix Intérieures. Les Rayons et les Ombres. 1869

Pocket Geographic Dictionary Overview❦ Dictionnaire de poche Géographique ou Description Vosgien 1802

French Culinary Art: Recipes and Techniques❦ Cuisine L’ART CULINAIRE FRANCAIS : LE RECETTES DE CUISINE, PATISSERIE 1961

Memories of Old Paris❦ Paris, Mémoires du vieux Paris

A Study of Characters and Manners❦ LA BRUYERE LES CARACTÈRES de Théophraste avec les caractères 1928

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