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

French wartime diary 1939–1944❦ FABRE-LUCE JOURNAL DE LA FRANCE, 1939-1944

Anne of Brittany’s Illuminated Hours in Verve❦ VERVE Les Heures d’Anne de Bretagne

Posthumous Poems by Laurent Tailhade❦ Tailhade, Laurent. Poésies posthumes

Victor Hugo’s Rhine Journey Letters❦ HUGO Victor Le Rhin – Lettres à un ami 1845

Plastic Rhythm in the E. Bellini Collection❦ Jean Bouret E. BELLINI collection Rythme plastique

Memoirs of a Eunuch & Court Lady in the Forbidden City❦ chine Mémoires d’un eunuque dans la Cité interdite & d’une dame de cour

Complete Works of Robert Brasillach❦ BRASILLACH ROBERT OEUVRES COMPLETES

Turgenev's First Love❦ TOURGUENIEV IVAN PREMIER AMOUR

The Chevalier d'Harmental by Dumas (1846)❦ Dumas, Alexandre Le Chevalier d’Harmental 1846

1923 Bon Marché Paris Travel Diary❦ AGENDA DU BON MARCHE 1923

Wells' Classic Sci-Fi Adventure❦ WELLS JEANNE ET PIERRE 1922

1846 illustrated music album by David❦ Album de P. Henrion, 1846, illustré par David

Tractor maintenance guide 1961❦ tracteur au service de votre tracteur 1961

Exploration of Celestial Matter❦ JOUVE Pierre Jean Matière Céleste

Ten Meetings with Paris❦ PARIS Dix rendez-vous avec Paris. Aquarelles de Gaston Barret 1955

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