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

Court Almanac of 1823❦ Almanach de la cour 1823

Selected works with Baudelaire's notice❦ LE VAVASSEUR Oeuvres choisies notice de Baudelaire

My Prisons - Political imprisonment and moral duties❦ Pellico Mes prisons. Suivies du discours sur les devoirs des hommes EO 1843

The Forty-Five: Historical Adventure Novel❦ DUMAS Alexandre LES QUARANTE CINQ

Napoleon and the Empire: Comprehensive Historical Study❦ Napoléon et l’Empire. Hachette1968

Social Question Overview❦ Proudhon, Pierre-Joseph: Résumé de la question sociale, banque d échange 1849

Art and influence of the Nabis movement❦ Nabis arts décoratifs, La sculpture, Les arts graphiques, Les nabis et le théâtr

Superb morocco binding for first communion❦ Curmer première communion reliure maroquin

Collected Works of Montesquieu❦ MONTESQUIEU, Par DESTUTT DE TRACY, VILLEMAIN OEUVRES DE MONTESQUIEU 1827

Ludovic Halévy's Journals Volume I & II❦ HALÉVY (Ludovic). Carnets, publiés avec une introduction et des notes…

Charming edition with etchings❦ CONSTANT Quantin, 1878, ADOLPHE eaux-fortes de Fr. Régamey

Observations and reflections❦ HUGO Victor Choses Vues 1888

General Idea of the 19th Century Revolution❦ PROUDHON Idée générale de la révolution au XIXème siècle 1851

Anthropological treatise on physiology❦ FRÉDAULT TRAITÉ D’ANTHROPOLOGIE physiologique et philosophique 1863

Comprehensive illustrated dictionary of Parisian monuments❦ Paris Dictionnaire des monuments de Paris 1997

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