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

1949 Classic French Cookbook with Caramel Recipes❦ cuisine CARAMEL Le nouveau Livre de cuisine 1949

Barthélemy’s satirical weekly Nemesis from 1832❦ BARTHELEMY NEMESIS, SATIRE HEBDOMADAIRE 1832

Eustache Le Sueur: Life and Work (1616–1655)❦ Eustache Le Sueur 1616-1655

Jules Verne’s Illustrated Earth Exploration❦ VERNE Jules. Découverte de la Terre HETZEL

Sensual Satirical Poetry Collection❦ érotique Le Cabinet satyrique, ou Recueil parfaict des vers piquans et paillards

Salgari’s Shipwrecked on the Djumna River❦ SALGARI LES NAUFRAGES DE LA DJUMNA

1952 French Gardener’s Practical Guide❦ jardin Guide pratique du Jardinier français Traité complet d’horticulture 1952

The Timeless: Metamorphosis of the Gods III❦ MALRAUX La métamorphose des Dieux. T 3 : L’INTEMPOREL

1629: The Jakarta Shipwreck Horror❦ 1629 …ou L’Effrayante Histoire des Naufragés Du Jakarta

Turkey in Decline by Pierre Loti❦ TURQUIE LOTI Pierre Turquie agonisante

Madame de Maintenon and Louis XIV’s Reign❦ Histoire de Madame de Maintenon et des principaux évènements du règne de Louis X

Abbé L. Ricaud’s study on Sulpice-Sévère’s villa (1914)❦ Sulpice-Sévère et sa villa de Primuliac à Saint-Sever-de-Rustan 1914

Lucas van Leyden & Bruegel the Elder Engravings❦ Leyden – Peter Bruegel l’Ancien LAVALLEYE 1966

Instrument piloting manual for heavy aircraft 1945❦ Pilotage pilotage aux instruments 1945 PSV vol de nuit avions lourds…

Bastiat’s Defense of Free Trade (1862)❦ BASTIAT FREDERIC OEUVRES LE LIBRE-ECHANGE 1862

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