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

Circus and Variety: Early 20th Century Spectacle❦ CIRQUE ET LE MUSIC-HALL. Illustré par G. Annenkoff Au Sans Pareil

Covarrubias’ Legal Treatise for Philip II (1610) – Rare Folio❦ Droit Covarrvvias A Leyva Toletani Episcopi Segobiensis Philippi II 1610

Hungarian women's craftwork ornaments from 1881❦ ornements remarquables de l’exposition hongroise industrielle des ouvrages de…

Nabis: Decorative Arts & Graphic Arts❦ Nabis arts décoratifs, La sculpture, Les arts graphiques, Les nabis et le théâtr

Tragedy of Seneca's Death❦ TRISTAN La mort de Sénèque Tragédie Edition critique publiée par Jacques Madelei

Art in Modern Life: 300 Engravings❦ L’ART DANS LA VIE MODERNE – 300 GRAVURES vers 1937

Surrealist medium: rare surrealist journal issues❦ Surréalisme MÉDIUM. Informations surréalistes Jean Schuster

Victorian-era photo album with velvet❦ photo album belle époque

Vuillard’s intimate sketches in 1919 Arches paper edition❦ Géraldy dessins de Vuillard Toi et moi 1919 sur vergé d’arches

Henri Béraud’s satirical novel with Kieffer’s artistry❦ BERAUD martyre de l’obèse ; L’amour des livres KIEFFER

Geography: Key Milestones in Cartography History❦ Géographie Les Grands faits de l’histoire de la géographie 1882

Fantastic Bestiary of the South❦ BESTIAIRE FANTASTIQUE DU SUD

Montaigne’s Essays in Garnier edition❦ Montaigne Essais GARNIER

Hubert Robert's Rome in Sanguine, 1930❦ Rome d’Hubert Robert 1930 SANGUINES

Bells and Carillons Exhibition 1983❦ CLOCHES ET CARILLONS – 14-23 JANVIER 1983 – EXPOSITION A LA DECOUVERTE DES CARIL

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