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

Illustrated Modern Gardening Manual❦ jardin Le nouveau jardinier illustré 1884

Selected Tales on Wove Paper❦ KIPLING (Rudyard) CONTES CHOISIS sur vergé

Exploration of Civilizational Invasions❦ Invasions Brion Marcel HISTOIRE DES CIVILISATIONS Le temps des invasions

Portrait of Countess Pauline de Beaumont❦ Bardoux La comtesse Pauline de Beaumont 1884

Radio Broadcasting: Global Power 1937❦ Radiodiffusion, puissance mondiale 1937

Milan Cathedral - Lithographic Print❦ milan Dôme de Milan 31 x 45 cm lithographie

Van Dyck: Life and Works❦ Van Dyck Sa vie et son œuvre 1893

Cheerful Muse – Illustrated Edition 1905❦ MUSE GAILLARDE. Illustrations de JAPHET 1905

Military legislation guide for army physicians❦ Armée BOISSON PRECIS DE LEGISLATION MILITAIRE 1901

Laws of feudal lords and justices❦ Code des seigneurs hauts-justiciers et féodaux, ou Maximes 1780

Historical epic on Julius Caesar❦ MANSOUR (Joyce) Jules César Seghers 1956

New Parish Prayer Book❦ Nouveau paroissien

Chevotet-Contant-Chaussard: Architects in the Age of Enlightenment❦ Chevotet-Contant-Chaussard. Un Cabinet d’Architectes au Siècle des Lumières

Regional guide to Los Angeles and Southern California❦ LOS ANGELES and Southern California 1903

A Polynesian Love Story❦ WALKER Paul TEINA ET MARAMA, IDYLLE POLYNESIENNE

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