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

Political espionage under Revolution and Empire❦ Espion Histoire d’un espion politique sous la Révolution, le Consulat 1847

The Moor’s Well: A Spy’s Tale❦ Paul d’Ivoi Le Roi des Espions

Lucien Descaves' Biography of Marceline Desbordes-Valmore❦ DESCAVES LUCIEN LA VIE DOULOUREUSE DE MARCELINE DESBORDES-VALMORE

Love's Wandering Players by Francis de Miomandre❦ MIOMANDRE (Francis de). Les Baladins d’amour

Vandals: Reims Cathedral & Belgium 1914-1916❦ VANDALES – 1914-1915-1916 – LA cathédrale de Reims – La Belgique heroïque et

Revealed Religions: Judaism in Etchings❦ Les religions révélées. Eaux-fortes de Marguerite Eugène-Carrière. Tome 1..

Musketeers of the King❦ mousquetaire MESSIEURS DE MONNERON MOUSQUETAIRES du roi

Bordeaux monuments through 1845❦ BORDEAUX BORDES (Auguste). Histoire des monuments anciens et modernes 1845

Postal sorting guide for Paris transit offices, 1937❦ poste TRI DE LA JOURNEE ET DU SOIR A L USAGE DES BUREAUX AMBULANTS DE JOUR …

1948 Diplomatic Verdun Treaty Analysis❦ MONTOIRE VERDUN DIPLOMATIQUE 1948

Balzac’s provincial muse illustrated by Falké❦ BALZAC illu- FALKÉ, Pierre La muse du département BENDA

Victor Hugo’s Journey along the Rhine❦ HUGO Victor Le Rhin HUGO Victor – Le Rhin

18th-century commercial guidebook with legal insights❦ PARFAIT NEGOCIANT OU INTRODUCTION GENERALE POUR CE QUI REGARDE LE COMMERCE 1753

Victorian England in vivid historical account❦ Angleterre Histoire pittoresque dAngleterre depuis les temps 1835

Napoleon’s Disastrous Life❦ Napoléon DE ROSTOPCHINE ANTOINE LA VIE TRES INCONVENANTE DE NAPOLEON BONAPARTE

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