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

Selected Poems and Prose❦ FOLLAIN Jean Poèmes et prose choisis. Gallimard NRF, 1961

Art History from Antiquity to Modernity❦ JEAN CHARBONNEAUX – PIERRE PRADEL ARCHITECTURE ET SCULPTURE 4/4

Ismene and Ismenias: A Classic Romance of 1783❦ CAZIN Les amours d’Ismene et d’Isménias 1783

French Dictionary for Christian Schools❦ Dictionnaire de la langue Française à l’usage des écoles Chrétiennes

Signed letters from notable French figures❦ Robert Debré lettre signée

De Gaulle Silver Photograph with Negatives❦ DE GAULLE PHOTO ARGENTIQUE + NEGATIF

Marguerite Yourcenar’s French Academy Speech❦ Yourcenar Discours de réception de Madame Marguerite Yourcenar /Ormesson

Anti-Dictionary Defending Christianity (1775)❦ CHAUDON Anti-Dictionnaire Philosophique, pour servir de Commentaire 1775

Nodier & Ackermann’s 1854 French Vocabulary❦ Nodier, M. Ackermann Vocabulaire de la langue française 1854

Autograph letter from Pierre Gaxotte❦ Pierre Gaxotte lettre autographe signée

Complete works of Théophile de Viau in Elzevirian style❦ THEOPHILE DE VIAU. Oeuvres complètes bib. Elzévirienne

Spiritual Works of Father Vincent Huby❦ Huby (Vincent, Père) Oeuvres spirituelles du Père Vincent Huby 1758

Theatrical dialogues with author’s dedication❦ Edmond Sée petits dialogues sur le théatre et l’art dramatique + dédicace

Naval battles illustrated by Riou❦ Chack illust- Riou On se Bat sur mer + dédicace

Study of Terracotta Groups in Asia Minor❦ Terre cuite Sur l’Authenticité des groupes en terre cuite d’Asie-Mineure

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