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

Brigitte Bardot vintage press photo❦ bardot BB Brigitte Bardot & Mme Gouze-Raynal photo de presse argentique 18 x 13

Roman heritage of the Rhine Valley❦ Rhénanie Quatre villes romaines de Rhénanie, Trèves -Mayence-Bonn-Cologne

Historical Dictionary of Paris 1904❦ PESSARD Nouveau dictionnaire historique de Paris 1904

Jules Renard’s rare portrait edition of 'The Freeloader'❦ RENARD Jules. L’écornifleur portrait gravé & ex sur Lafuma

Antique Sculpture Guide to the Louvre Museum 1870❦ LOUVRE Notice de la sculpture antique du Musée National du Louvre Premier 1870

Final adventure of a forty-five-year-old man❦ BRETONNE RESTIF DE LA DERNIERE AVENTURE D’UN HOMME DE QUARANTE-CINQ ANS

Paris historical handbook❦ Lemoine Manuel d’histoire de Paris

Swiss Schoolchildren’s Pestalozzi Pocket Almanac Set❦ ALMANACH PESTALOZZI AGENDA DE POCHE DES ECOLIERS SUISSES

Japanese Dolls in 1917 by Champsaur & Sameyama❦ JAPON CHAMPSAUR POUPEE JAPONAISE – SAMEYAMA 1917

19th-century etiquette guide with illustrations❦ SAVIGNY M. l’abbé de La civilité en images et en action. ou la politesse, les us

Jean Rostand’s 1931 transformism study with author’s dedication❦ Jean Rostand – Etat présent du transformisme + dédicace

Humboldt’s Andean sites and indigenous monuments❦ HUMBOLDT Site des cordillères et monuments des peuples indigènes 1869

Avant-garde poetry collection❦ PICHETTE Rond-point [suivi de Joyce au participe futur et de Pages pour Chapli..

Parisian life under a provincial inheritance dispute❦ Ernest Daudet La succession Chavanet 1867

17th-c. theological encyclopedia on the Apostles' Creed❦ Foy Encyclopédie sainte de foy dans l’explication du symbole 1679

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