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

Classic tales of colonial India❦ KIPLING (Rudyard).- Simples contes des collines EO

Escoffier’s Classic Culinary Guide❦ cuisine Auguste Escoffier Le guide culinaire : Aide-mémoire de cuisine pratique

Dance: Collection of the Bourrée, Folk Songs and Dances of the Massif Central❦ danse Recueil de la bourrée, chants et danses populaires du Massif Central

Coat of Arms of Notable Families❦ DUBUISSON M. Armorial des principales maisons et familles du Royaume

French wartime diary 1939–1944❦ FABRE-LUCE JOURNAL DE LA FRANCE, 1939-1944

Anne of Brittany’s Illuminated Hours in Verve❦ VERVE Les Heures d’Anne de Bretagne

La Pérouse’s Global Voyage (1798)❦ LA PÉROUSE Voyage de La Pérouse autour du monde 1798

Posthumous Poems by Laurent Tailhade❦ Tailhade, Laurent. Poésies posthumes

Victor Hugo’s Rhine Journey Letters❦ HUGO Victor Le Rhin – Lettres à un ami 1845

Vichy: The Age of Illusions❦ Vichy DU MOULIN DE LABARTHÈTE Le Temps des illusions. Souvenirs

Plastic Rhythm in the E. Bellini Collection❦ Jean Bouret E. BELLINI collection Rythme plastique

Memoirs of a Eunuch & Court Lady in the Forbidden City❦ chine Mémoires d’un eunuque dans la Cité interdite & d’une dame de cour

Bonchamps' Wife's Memoirs of the Revolution❦ Révolution Bonchamps Mémoires de Madame la Marquise 1827

Turgenev's First Love❦ TOURGUENIEV IVAN PREMIER AMOUR

Paper and Printing in 17th-Century France❦ PAPIER – L’IMPRIMERIE E. Binet

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