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|Collections|Books

Tablets of Historical Events & Anecdotes of the Kings of France from Pharamond to❦ Tablettes Historiques & Anecdotes des Rois de France depuis Pharamond Jusqu’a

Entretien d’un philosophe chrétien, et d’un philosophe chinois 1708 Malebranche

Boileau 1803 miniature Selected Works by Boileau 69 x 90 mm❦ Boileau 1803 minuscule Oeuvres choisies de Boileau 69 x 90 mm.

Claude Farrère La Bataille ill. by Fouqueray, Russo-Japanese War❦ FARRèRE Claude La Bataille ill-Fouqueray. russo-japonais

CROISSET illustrated by FOUQUERAY & dedicated to LA FEERIE CINGHALAISE❦ CROISSET illustré par FOUQUERAY & dédicacé LA FEERIE CINGHALAISE

Lefuel, Georges Jacob, cabinetmaker of the 18th century, by Hector Lefuel❦ LefuelGeorges Jacob, ébéniste du XVIIIe siècle, par Hector Lefuel

Donations Daniel Cordier The gaze of a connoisseur POMPIDOU❦ Donations Daniel Cordier Le regard d’un amateur POMPIDOU

Émile Mâle autograph letters, signed❦ EMILE MÂLE cartes & lettres autographes manuscrites & signées

Italy Landscapes of Italy. The Plein Air Painters❦ Italie PAYSAGES D’ITALIE. Les peintres du plein air

Renaldo HAHN (PROUST) autograph letters & signed manuscript cards❦ Renaldo HAHN (PROUST) lettres & cartes autographes manuscrites & signées

An overview of Picasso's work❦ Picasso: A Retrospective New York 1980

Wells' tale of sea pirates❦ Wells les pirates de la mer EO

Memoirs of a Rhetoric Student in 1815❦ Rhétorique Cahiers d’un Rhétoricien de 1815

A Modern Utopia by H.G. Wells❦ SF Wells H.-G. Une Utopie Moderne EO

Complete Works of VIGNY❦ VIGNY Théâtre complet 1858

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