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

Illustrated work on Christian genius❦ CHATEAUBRIAND Génie du christianisme 1837

Frederick the Great: A New Life❦ Frédéric Le Grand Denina Nouvelle vie du Frederic II, Roi de Prusse 1789

Beekeeping guide: 40 lessons to start a hive❦ Miel Un rucher naît ( 40 leçons d’apiculture )

Victor Hugo’s Inner Voices and Shadows❦ Hugo, Victor Les Voix intérieures…

Botanical lectures from 1882❦ FABRE-J-H Lectures sur la botanique 1882

Sardinia in 1842: A Sailor’s Memoir❦ JURIEN marine d’autrefois souvenirs d’un marin d’aujoud’hui Sardaigne

Welsh Bards: A Breton-Markale Anthology❦ (BRETON André) MARKALE Jean Les grands bardes gallois

Jules Janin’s illustrated first edition of "The Dead Donkey"❦ Janin L’Ane Mort édition originale illustré par Johannot

18th-century French history for young nobility❦ histoire du royaume de France 1771

Marie Galante's Galant Académie❦ DEVAL Marie Galante Beltrand

Microbe: The Little Breton❦ MICROBE LE PETIT BRETON

Speech Organs and Sound Formation 1885❦ Voix organes de la parole 1885

Miniature Works of La Rochefoucauld 1827❦ MINI oeuvres de La Rochefoucault 1827

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

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