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|Antique and Collectible Books

Christophe Jehan: Sculpture and Painting❦ Christophe JEHAN sculpture peinture

Sebastiano Serlio: Renaissance Architect❦ Sebastiano Serlio : architecte de la renaissance

1907 Gers Department Directory❦ Gers 1907 Annuaire administratif, statistique, historique et commercial GERS 32

1940 Jewel Pocket Agenda❦ Mini calendrier agenda bijou 1940

Algerian Architecture: 1974 Collector's Edition❦ ARCHITECTURE ALGERIENNE

LÜTKE Frédéric 1797-1882 Voyage autour du monde fait par ordre de Sa Majesté

LA VÉRITABLE CUISINE DE FAMILLE PAR TANTE MARIE 1949❦ cuisine LA VERITABLE CUISINE DE FAMILLE PAR TANTE MARIE 1949

MONTHERLANT Novels in Pléiade Edition❦ MONTHERLANT Henry ( de ) ROMANS Gallimard NRF Bibliothèque de la pléiade

Village Scholar’s Enlightenment in 1839❦ Mini MAITRE PIERRE OU LE SAVANT DE VILLAGE 1839

Russian Art Nouveau Masterpieces❦ ART NOUVEAU RUSSE

The Siege by Erckmann-Chatrian❦ ERCKMANN-CHATRIAN Le Blocus HETZEL

1870 War: Alsace, Metz, Sedan Campaigns❦ 1870. Alsace, Metz, Sedan

Military Geography Textbook 1880❦ Géographie militaire Cours d’art militaire École d’application du génie 1880

Camille Jordan’s Alsace and Weimar Journey❦ CAMILLE JORDAN EN ALSACE ET A WEIMAR

Karl Lagerfeld’s 1995 Visions❦ Karl Lagerfeld : Visionen 1995

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