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

Paris, The Capital City❦ PARIS Notre capitale Paris 1888

Victor Hugo's Play on Civil Struggles❦ HUGO (Victor) Cromwell. Paris, Eugène Renduel, 1836

Complete Works: Paradise Lost and English Literature❦ CHATEAUBRIAND paradis perdu

Expedition narrative of Captain Hatteras❦ Verne, Jules Les Anglais au Pole Nord, aventures du Capitaine Hatteras HETZEL

Naval Combats and Battles, September-December 1914❦ FARRÈRE Claude et Paul CHACK COMBATS ET BATAILLES SUR MER

A Sister's Portrait: Biography and Illustrations❦ DE WITT (Mme), NEE GUIZOT UNE SOEUR ill-Bayard

An Implausible Indian Tale❦ Curiosa DE LA MORLIERE. ANGOLA. Histoire indienne. Ouvrage sans vraisemblance.

Explorations of Torture Practices❦ Torture MUSEE DES SUPPLICES

Luxurious illustrated edition❦ NICE MEMORIAL DE NICE 1960

Horticultural Almanac for 1866❦ jardin Le Bon Jardinier. Almanach horticole pour L’Année 1866

Comprehensive manuscript catalog of French public libraries❦ Catalogue général des manuscrits des bibliothèques-publiques de France 1912-1915

Sardou Art Collection Auction Catalog 1909❦ SARDOU Gaston Lenôtre et Georges Cain (préface) Collection Victorien Sardou 1909

Lectures for Schools and Families❦ LEVY-ALBERT CAUSERIES 1891

Earthenware of Northern France❦ Faïences du Nord. 1, Aire-sur-La Lys, Boulogne-sur-Mer, Bailleul, Calais…

Prussian-German Military Uniforms History❦ Preussisch- Deutsche Uniformen von 1640 – 1918

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