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

1930s Marine & Drafting Precision Instruments Catalog❦ Instruments de précision de marine et de dessin. CATALOGUE FABRICATIONS H. MORIN

19th-Century Fashion History Illustrated❦ Mode Histoire du costume. Les Modes au XIXe siècle

Ivan the Terrible: Origins of Modern Russia❦ WALISZEWSKI Ivan Le Terrible 1904

Golden Book of École Polytechnique by Paul Tuffrau (1962)❦ ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE LIVRE D’OR PAUL TUFFRAU 1962

Marie-Antoinette: The Unruly Queen❦ Marie-antoinette : L’insoumise Jean Servat

Albert Samain’s Collected Works in Three Volumes❦ SAMAIN Albert OEUVRES ill-Bécat

Guyenne: French Conquest History❦ GUYENNE Histoire de la conquête de la Guyenne par les Français

Albert Samain’s Symbolist Masterpiece❦ SAMAIN ALBERT AU JARDIN DE L’INFANTE reliure Affolter EO 1893

Automobilist Review No. 41 (1976)❦ AUTO L’Automobiliste. La revue de l’amateur n°41 1976

Franz Toussaint’s Erotic Garden❦ Toussaint Le jardin des caresses Editions d’Art H. Piazza

1892 Caran d'Ache Checkbook by Plon, Nourrit & Cie❦ CARAN D’ACHE Carnet de chèques 1892

KANTOR: My Creation, My Journey❦ KANTOR . Ma Création , mon voyage

Rare Art Nouveau & Art Deco Library Collection❦ Bibliothèque R. et B. L. Giquello Sotheby’s

Herriot’s 1917 Political Manifesto❦ Herriot Edouard Agir 1917

Henri Beraldi’s illustrated modern books collection❦ BERALDI Bibliothèque Henri Beraldi 1935

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