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

Manuscript notebook on art history, Vol. II❦ CAHIER MANUSCRIT architecture histoire de l’art Tome II

André Breton’s Letters to Jacques Doucet (1920–1926)❦ BRETON, André Lettres à Jacques Doucet : 1920-1926 Gallimard

Thompson’s Seasons: Eighteenth-Century Miniature Edition❦ THOMPSON (James) Les saisons MINI 1795

Captain Hatteras’ North Pole Expedition❦ Verne, Jules Les Anglais au Pole Nord, aventures du Capitaine Hatteras HETZEL

Memorial to WWI Survivors & Fallen Soldiers❦ LIEUTENANT GRIMONT Mémorial de la Grande Guerre. Poilus survivants 1922, 288e RI

1914 Touring-Club de France Directory❦ TOURING-CLUB de FRANCE 1914 annuaire

Colart’s Comparative French History with Engravings❦ Histoire de France Méthodique et Comparée, 75 gravures, 1835

Playing History: France in Toy Scenes❦ MONTORGUEIL et JOB Jouons à l’Histoire. La France mise en scène avec les joujoux

Sand's 1872 Parisian Journey❦ Sand FRANCIA 1872

Antraigues' Memoir on the Estates-General (1789)❦ REVOLUTION ANTRAIGUES Mémoire sur les Etats-Généraux, leurs droits..1789

WWII Aviation Memoir by Pierre Paquier❦ Aviation Commandant Pierre Paquier Trois de l’aviation.. 1943

Belgian Socialism and Public Education in 1872❦ LAVELEYE (Emile de) L’Instruction du peuple 1872 SOCIALISME BELGE

Linear Drawing for Beginners by Darchez❦ Dessin Darchez Le dessin linéaire des commençants. Cours de dessin à main levée

Russia in the 19th Century: Customs, Governance & Society❦ DUPRAT EDOUARD LA RUSSIE HISTOIRE DESCRIPTION MOEURS COUTUMES GOUVERNEMENT 1893

Radio Astronomy 1958 Soviet Edition❦ RADIOASTRONOMIE Moscou 1958

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