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

Lomon by Charles Jean d'Acier: 1877 Five-Act Verse Drama❦ LOMON CHARLES JEAN D’ACIER DRAME EN CINQ ACTES EN VERS 1877

Chantilly landscape engraving by Sadoux, 1887❦ Chantilly 80 x 60,5 cm. eau-forte E. Sadoux 1887

1839 Agricultural Almanac with Horticultural Guide❦ JARDIN bon jardinier. Almanach agricole pour l’année 1839

Augustin Calmet’s biblical exegesis from 1720❦ dissertations qui peuvent servir de prolégomènes de l’Ecriture Sainte 1720

Death’s Extras: Illustrated by Mohler❦ Mort LES FIGURANTS DE LA MORT illustré par mohler

Origins of the 1848 Republic in France❦ naissance de la République en février 1848

The Kings of France's Curse: When a King Loses France❦ DRUON Maurice LES ROIS MAUDITS – TOME 7 – QUAND UN ROI PERD LA FRANCE + dédicace

Caricatures and profiles by Geoffroy❦ GESTES ET PROFILS. Dessins de Henry Geoffroy

The Roots of Heaven by Gary-Romain❦ GARY ROMAIN LES RACINES DU CIEL S.P.

18th-century architectural dictionary❦ DEVILER Dictionnaire d’Architecture, ou Explications de tous les Termes, 1730

Louis XV engraving circa 1715❦ Louis XV gravure vers 1715

Leviathan: A rare 1955 edition with original frontispiece❦ GREEN, Julien. LEVIATHAN Frontispice de J.-P. REMON

Proudhon’s critique of social banking in 1849❦ Proudhon, Pierre-Joseph: Résumé de la question sociale, banque d échange 1849

1879 Paris Salon catalog of living artists❦ Explication des Ouvrages de Peinture, Sculpture, Architecture. 1879

Parisiennes in 1896: A portrait of women❦ Paris MONTORGUEIL BOUTET (Henri) L’année féminine 1896 : Les Parisiennes

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