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

Chirurgie: Mémoires de l'Académie Royale de Chirurgie 1855❦ Chirurgie Mémoires de l’Académie Royale de Chirurgie 1855

Napoleon Bonaparte in Italy (1796)❦ napoléon BONAPARTE en ITALIE (1796)

Venice History of the Republic of Venice 1847❦ Venise Histoire de la République de Venise 1847

Meditations on the Principal Christian and Ecclesiastical Truths 1818❦ MEDITATIONS SUR LES PRINCIPALES VERITES CHRETIENNES ET ECCLESIASTIQUES 1818

cartonnage Ivoi Paul Jud Allan (King of the 'Lads') Bombled❦ cartonnage Ivoi Paul Jud Allan (Roi des ‘Lads’) Bombled

DORAT, Claude Joseph POÉSIES DE DORAT Geneva, Cazin, 1777❦ DORAT Claude Joseph POESIES DE DORAT Genéve CAZIN 1777

Marin, Hardes and Uniforms of Sailors watercolours by Goichon 1937❦ marin HARDES ET UNIFORMES DE MATELOTS aquarelles par Goichon 1937

geography Revue géographique Internationale 1879❦ géographie Revue géographique Internationale 1879

Egypt: History of the Barrage at the Head of the Delta of Egypt 1896❦ égypte history of the barrage at the head of the delta of Egypt 1896

rocaille, Lajoüe and Rococo art❦ rocaille Lajoüe et l’art Rocaille

GAIGNAT SUPPLÉMENT À LA BIBLIOGRAPHIE INSTRUCTIVE, ou CATALOGUE DES LIVRES DU CAB❦ GAIGNAT SUPPLÉMENT A LA BIBLIOGRAPHIE INSTRUCTIVE ou CATALOGUE DES LIVRES DU CAB

concordat DISSERTATIO de causis majoribus ad caput concordatorum de causis 1679

Souvenirs de Paris en 1804❦ Paris KOTZEBUE Souvenirs de Paris en 1804

chrétien OUTREMAN (Philippe d') The True Christian Pedagogue 1681❦ chrétien OUTREMAN (Philippe d’) Le Vray Pedagogue chrétien 1681

Young, Les Nuits d'Young, 1770❦ Young Les Nuits d’Young 1770

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