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

Gauguin’s emotional life in a rare 1927 edition❦ Dorsenne Jean La vie sentimentale de Paul Gauguin 1927 + dédicace

Jorge Camacho: Birds in Art History❦ Jorge Camacho Dupin histoire des oiseaux Maeght, 1982

Algerian Campaigns 1830–1852❦ Armée d’Afrique de 1830 à 1852

Regional French Furniture Guide❦ LA CONNAISSANCE DES MEUBLES REGIONAUX FRANCAIS

Autograph letter by SOMERSET MAUGHAM (1955)❦ Sommerset MAUGHAN lettre manuscrite autographe LONDON 1955

Albert Samain: Symbolist Poet with Dedication❦ ALBERT SAMAIN – POETE SYMBOLISTE + dédicace

Seventeen Church Fathers' Sermons 1680❦ Septem tubae sacerdotales sive selecti septem S.S patrum tractatus 1680

Naval Battles of WWI: Sept-Dec 1914❦ FARRÈRE Claude et Paul CHACK COMBATS ET BATAILLES SUR MER

Henri IV’s Page and Charlotte de la Trémoille❦ Henri IV, Charlotte de la Trémoille et son page

Cyrano de Bergerac’s Daring Adventures❦ GALLET (Louis) Aventures de Cyrano de Bergerac : le capitaine satan

The Battle – Definitive Edition❦ FARRERE (Claude). La Bataille. Édition définitive

1877 Paris Salon catalog of living artists❦ Explication des Ouvrages de Peinture, Sculpture, Architecture..1877

Baudelaire's Opium Reveries with Guénard's Art❦ BAUDELAIRE ( Charles). Les Paradis Artificiels. Illustrations de Michel Guénard

Moral and literary study of Louis Veuillot❦ LOUIS VEUILLOT étude morale et littéraire

Meditations on the Mysteries of Faith (1712)❦ Méditations sur tous les mystères de la foy et sur les epistres.. 1712

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