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.

Enter your keyword

Books, Comics, Magazines|Antique and Collectible Books

Montpellier through a century of photographs (1845-1944)❦ MONTPELLIER NAGUÈRE 1845-1944

Soviet-era Moscow travelogue❦ Russie voyage en U.R.S.S. MOSCOU

Uncle Tom’s Cabin: Rare 1953 Illustrated Edition❦ Stowe Beecher (Mme) LA CASE DE L’ONCLE TOM

Two signed letters by Pierre Mendès France❦ Pierre Mendès France 2 lettres signées

Whimsical travels of lightning thieves❦ IVOI BOMBLED Les Voleurs de Foudre. Voyages excentrique

Lafayette’s Children’s Illustrated Series 13❦ images enfantines série 13 Lafayette

Christian moral guidebook from 1681❦ OUTREMAN (Philippe d’) Le Vray Pedagogue chrétien 1681

Julie or the New Heloise in 1819 edition❦ Rousseau Julie ou la Nouvelle Héloïse 1819

17th-century Latin dictionary by Calepinus with multilingual additions❦ Latin dictionnaire Ambrosii Calepini dictionarium XVII ème

Rural Electricity: Distribution and Use❦ électricité rurale : Distribution – Utilisation

Basque Coast and Region Overview❦ BASQUE Côte d’Argent. La Côte et le Pays Basque. Le Béarn

18th-Century Furniture & Objects Catalogue❦ catalogue des objets et d’ameublement du XVIIIe siècle Simone Berriau

Madame est servie with author's dedication❦ Hallaure, Jean Madame est servie + dédicace

The Café des Platanes by Jean Dembatz❦ Jean Dembatz Le Café des platanes

Miniature Eliot Moments❦ mini Moments with George Eliot, 70 x 100 mm.

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