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

Two Mothers❦ Colomb Mme J. DEUX MERES 1911

The Old Guard: A Veteran's Chronicle❦ Légion Cart Tanneur La vieille garde

Soviet Military Doctrine 1956❦ Russie DOCTRINE MILITAIRE SOVIETIQUE 1956

A charming tale of a moon child❦ MAIRET (Jeanne) L’enfant de la Lune ill-Vavasseur

A profound ethnological study❦ Nouville, un village francais 1953

Biography of the Curé d'Ars❦ Curé d’Ars biographie de M. le curé d’Ars 1857

Studies on Illustrious Women of the 17th Century❦ Femme COUSIN Madame de Sablé

The Tale of Bluebeard❦ PERRAULT, Charles LA BARBE- BLEUE. Bois de Joris Minne 1944

Last French Cape Horners❦ Derniers cap-horniers français aux voyages de nickel…

Historical Annals of France, 1840❦ France, Annales historiques 1840

Diocesan history of Bayeux, 18th-19th centuries❦ BAYEUX Histoire du diocèse de Bayeux, XVIIIe et XIXe siècles

A Traveler's Dream❦ FONTENOY Jean Le Songe du Voyageur

Gascony's Satirical Writings❦ Gascogne LAS PAPILHôTOS texte gascon

True Chronicles of Sir John le Bel❦ Vrayes Chroniques de Messire Jehan le Bel. Histoire vraye et notable

Appendix to The Genius of Christianity❦ CHATEAUBRIAND François-Auguste appendice du Génie du Christianisme 1802

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