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

Sentimental Education❦ Flaubert, Gustave L’éducation Sentimentale

Robert-Robert's Adventures with Faithful Toussaint❦ Desnoyers Les Aventures de Robert-Robert et son fidèle compagnon Toussaint

Legion Cartography by Tanneur & Sergent❦ Légion Cart Tanneur P. Sergent La Légion 1985

French Manners and Caricature in the 19th Century❦ GRAND-CARTERET Les moeurs et la caricature en France 1888

Collection of Pierre Corneille's Works❦ Corneille, Pierre Oeuvres. Paris, Furne, 1857

Inland waterways: rivers, canals & illustrations❦ NAVIGATION INTERIEUR fleuves ete canaux dessins illustrations

Three Autographed Letters by Victor Brochard❦ Victor Brochard 3 belles lettres autographes signées

Oral and facial prosthetics and fracture treatment❦ Prothèse restauratrice bucco-faciale et traitement des fractures..1915

Marcel Duchamp: Comprehensive Artistic Survey❦ Marcel Duchamp RETROSPECTIVE doc-pédagogique

Critical analysis of French military affairs❦ Examen critique du militaire françois 1781

Biography of Charles Dickens, early 20th century❦ Dickens THE LIFE OF CHARLES DICKENS 1903

Tales from a Bayonne bibliophile's collection❦ Bayonne contes d’un bibliophile bayonnais 1891

Surrealist Poetry Anthology❦ Petite Anthologie poétique du Surréalisme

Cistercian Abbey of l'Escaladieu, Hautes-Pyrénées❦ Abbaye Cistercienne de l’Escaladieu (Hautes-Pyrénées) 1947

A tale of the legendary knight❦ Bayard HISTOIRE DE BAYARD RACONTEE A MES ENFANTS Sémant Cahu

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