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

Classical Dictionary of Sacred and Profane Antiquity❦ BOUILLET Dictionnaire classique de l’Antiquité sacrée et profane 1841

Exploration of Passion and Pain❦ Curiosa BALLIVET SACHER-MASOCH : La Vénus aux Fourrures

Court and City Almanac 1831❦ Almanach de la Cour, de la Ville et des Départements 1831

Musical instruments in the 18th century❦ Les instruments de musique au XVIIIe siècle, France – Grande-Bretagne

Medieval chivalry adventure novel❦ Doyle, Arthur Conan SIR NIGEL 1906

The Coveted Ones - Author's Inscription❦ Anglade Les convoités + dédicace

Marie-Claire Magazine: 25 Years Anniversary 1954-1979❦ Marie-Claire n° Spécial : 25 Ans de Marie-Claire de 1954 à 1979

Dandies of the Louis Philippe Era❦ DANDY sous Louis Philippe les dandys J. Boulanger 1932

The Living and the Dead❦ COMTESSE DE NOAILLES Les vivants et les morts

Manual technical detector portable devices 1943❦ Détecteur manuel technique appareils détecteurs portatifs 1943

French Communists during the Phoney War❦ communistes français pendant la drôle de guerre

Essays on Politics and History with Author's Inscription❦ Reinach Joseph Essais de politique et d’histoire + dédicace

Political Voting Bulletin❦ Politique GILL André Le bulletin de vote

Surrealism and Jorge Camacho❦ surréalisme Jorge Camacho

Autographed Letter from Maurice DRUON❦ Maurice DRUON lettre autographes signée

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