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.

Enter your keyword

Books, Comics, Magazines

Foundational guide to lettering design and practice❦ Letter An Introduction to Lettering 1973

Visconti: Life and Works 1791-1853❦ Visconti 1791-1853

Goethe's Complete Novels - Pléiade Edition❦ Johann Wolfgang Goethe Romans La Pleiade

Bright Hours - Signed Dedication❦ VERHAEREN Emile Les Heures claires + dédicace

Illustrated Blue Guides to the Basque Country❦ Basque guides bleus illustrés. Le Pays Basque français et espagnol 1953

Jewish Communities History of Toulouse❦ JUIF Histoire des communautés juives de Toulouse

The Breach: Surrealist Action❦ BRETON (André) La Brèche. Action surréaliste 8/8

Luxury watches and jewelry printing catalog❦ Bijoux imprimerie Draeger Omega, Jaeger-Le Coultre… 1961

Fine maps and autograph manuscript letters❦ Maurice HERBETTE belles cartes & lettre autographes manuscrites

McCormick Cultivators Maintenance Manuals❦ Mc Cormick CULTIVATEURS livrets d’entretien

A Family Portrait: Social Comedy❦ DROZ Gustave Monsieur, madame et bébé 1878 ill-Morin

Library Catalog of the Late M. A. J.❦ Catalogue des livres composant la bibliothèque de feu M. A. J. 1849

The Tragic Tale of Hamlet - Illustrated Edition❦ SHAKESPEARE TRAGIQUE HISTOIRE DE HAMLET illust-Drouart

Old Paris: Festivals, Games and Spectacles❦ Paris FOURNEL Le Vieux Paris. Fêtes, Jeux et Spectacles 1887

The Journey in Prussian Germany❦ TISSOT VICTOR Les prussiens en Allemagne. suite du voyage au pays des milliards

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