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

Boileau’s Complete Works, 1780❦ BOILEAU Oeuvres, de M. Boileau-Despréaux [Cazin], 1780

Paris by Horse in 1883: Crafty’s Witty Illustrations❦ CRAFTY Paris à cheval, texte et dessins par Crafty 1883

Arctic expedition survival in 1872❦ HAYES Perdus dans les Glaces 1872

Medieval New Towns: The Bastides Adventure❦ bastides L’AVENTURE DES BASTIDES – VILLES NOUVELLES DU MOYEN AGE

Oberon and the Enchanted Horn❦ OBERON OU LE COR ENCHANTE cartonnage 1884 OFTERDINGER

Molière’s Complete Works in 1822 Morocco Binding❦ Moliere Oeuvres de Moliere 1822 75 x 115 mm.

Royal Academy of Architecture Minutes (1671-1793) Vol. X❦ Procès-verbaux de l’académie royale d’architecture 1929

Buster Brown and His Dog❦ Buster Brown, son chien

Champagne-Ardenne through Roland IROLLA's drawings❦ IROLLA (Roland)découverte de la Champagne-Ardenne.

Homer’s Iliad in English Blank Verse (1870)❦ ILIAD OF HOMER TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH BLANK VERSE 1870

Swiss Joanne Travel Guide 1873❦ SUISSE JOANNE, Adolphe et Paul Suisse. Collection des Guides-Joanne 1873

Novel of joy and sorrow with original photos❦ CHAIR EN JOIE, LE COEUR EN PEINE, roman inédit

Espionage in Wartime: 1945 Epilogue❦ Intelligence avec l’ennemi (épilogue 1945)

Mobile Guard Diary of the Gers during 1870-71 War❦ timbre Parcours d’un garde mobile du Gers durant la guerre de 1870-1871

VIVIEN’s 1960 Prostitution Study❦ Prostitution VIVIEN Solution au problème de la prostitution

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