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

Autographed letter and visiting card from Lady Deterling❦ Lady Deterling carte & lettre autographe manuscrite

Exquisite costumes through painting history❦ Beaux costumes à travers l’histoire de la peinture

A Week of Madness - Four-Act Comedy❦ ABEL HERMANT LA SEMAINE FOLLE. COMEDIE EN 4 ACTES

The Fifth Mountain - First Edition❦ COELHO PAULO LA CINQUIEME MONTAGNE EO

Two letters from Robert Debré❦ Robert Debré 2 lettres

Vintage photograph of a woman❦ Photo ancienne femme 106 x 162 mm.

Travel account in Geneva❦ Cazin voyage de Chapelle et Beaumont 1777

The Seducer - Signed Artist's Edition❦ Lilar, Suzanne Le Burlador Editions des Artistes + dédicace

Epic poem on religious wars and divine justice❦ AUBIGNE (Théodore Agrippa d’). Les Tragiques 1857

French and Foreign Press Review❦ Voleur, gazette des journaux français et étrangers. (1835, 2e semestre)

Rural equipment in Vaucluse❦ Equipement rural en Vaucluse.. L’électrification des campagnes 1940

Therapeutics and Remote Perception - Scientific Metapsychic Study❦ DELTHEIL THERAPEUTIQUE ET TELESTHESIE – ETUDE SCIENTIFIQUE ET METAPSICHIQUE

Letters of Eugénie de Guérin❦ TRÉBUTIEN (G. S.). Lettres d’Eugénie de Guérin 1865

Historical photograph of London❦ PHOTO ANCIENNE LONDON WALERY 165 x 110 mm.

Collected poems of a renowned American poet❦ HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW THE POETICAL WORKS OF HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW 1863

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