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

Pierre Brossolette Signed Autograph Letter❦ Pierre Brossolette lettre autographes signée

Algerian folk costumes❦ Alger tenues folkloriques 14 x 11 cm.

Illustrated maritime adventure❦ CONRAD Typhon illustré par Corneau

Freemasonry 1994❦ Franc-maçonnerie 1994

Autographed Letter from Picart Ledoux❦ Picart Ledoux lettre autographe signée

Vintage photograph of a child❦ Photo ancienne enfant 63 x 110 mm.

Maurice Druon - Silver gelatin photograph❦ MAURICE DRUON 130 x 170 mm. photo argentique

Féfé in the Caribbean islands❦ FEFE DES ANTILLES père Castor

A Submerged World - Signed Copy❦ ROBIDA MICHEL. UN MONDE ENGLOUTI + dédicace

Patriotic Verses 1914-1918❦ NOLHAC (Pierre de) Vers pour la Patrie 1914-1918

The Hidden Side of Images❦ Denis Rivière L’envers de l’image

National Dictionary in 3 Volumes❦ Bescherelle AÎNE M. Dictionnaire national 1857 en 3 volumes

The Works of Boileau❦ BOILEAU Oeuvres de Boileau Despréaux 1799

Across Tundra and Glaciers: A 1945 Adventure❦ A TRAVERS TOUNDRA ET GLACIERS / COLLECTION VOYAGES ET AVENTURES

Autographed postcard from Julien Benda❦ Julien Benda carte autographe

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