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

Explore Gauguin's Pont-Aven Journey❦ Gauguin L’Aventure de Pont-Aven et Gauguin

Napoleon's Epic: Egypt, Waterloo, and Human Destiny❦ Napoléon en Egypte – Waterloo – Le Fils de l’homme 1835 illustré par Raffet

The Good Gardener - Complete Annual Guide 1831❦ Jardin Le bon jardinier 1831

A classic German literary masterpiece❦ GOETHE – Traduit par Gérard de NERVAL. FAUST

Refutation of Deism by Bergier❦ BERGIER LE DEISME REFUTE PAR LUI MEME 1765

Comprehensive Atlas of French Localities❦ INDEX ATLAS DE FRANCE OBERTHUR 1977 LISTE DES LOCALITES NOMENCLATURE DES COMMUN

Guide to Excellent Household Cooking❦ CUISINE Mlle Madeleine La Parfaite cuisinière bourgeoise

Monograph on Domaine de Vigny❦ Domaine de Vigny (Seine-et-Oise) appartenant au comte Philippe Vitali

Memoirs of the Chevalier de Grammont❦ Hamilton Mémoires du chevalier de Grammont 1876

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

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