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

Louis XIV’s Legal Codes & Normandy Customs❦ Mini Ordonnance de louis XIV roy de France et .. Coutume du pays de Normandie

Pau through three historical phases❦ pauLA VILLE DE PAU aux trois phases de son histoire Béarn

Bossuet’s finest moral and stylistic passages❦ BOSSUET (Jacques-Bénigne). CHOIX DES MEILLEURS MORCEAUX DE BOSSUET

Claude Farrère's Opium Reverie with Louÿs' Preface❦ FARRERE (Claude) Fumée d’opium Pr. Pierre Louÿs

Delille’s Poetic Works from 1834 in Fine Leather Binding❦ DELILLE MALHEUR ET PITIE – SUIVI DE LA CONVERSATION, POEMES 1834

Complete works of Béranger with fine engravings❦ BERANGER Oeuvres complètes de P.-J. de Béranger. 1834

Fashion History Under the Empire❦ Mode HISTOIRE DES MODES SOUS L’EMPIRE

1969 Soviet-French cultural dance exchange❦ DANSE première mission d’échanges culturels France-U.R.S.S. 1969

Femina Prize Anniversary Album❦ FEMINA prix Femina, album du cinquantenaire 1954

Lermontov’s Hero of Our Time 1926❦ Lermontov Un héros de notre temps 1926

Paris Encounter: 1940 First Edition❦ GRASSET UNE RENCONTRE PARIS, 1940, dédicace

The Farmer-Builder❦ Fermier constructeur

Berthet’s 444 Quatrains (1970)❦ Berthet Jean 444 QUATRAINS 1970

Saint-Étienne arms & cycles catalog, Belle Époque era❦ Manufacture française d’armes et cycles, Saint-Etienne BELLE EPOQUE

Women of distinction in 19th-century France❦ George SAND femmes illustres 1911

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