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

Mirabeau: A Libertine’s Confession❦ Curiosa LE COMTE DE MIRABEAU LE LIBERTIN DE QUALITE OU MA CONVERSION

Laurie’s scholarly Parisian tale with Hetzel❦ Laurie, André L’Escholier de La Sorbonne Hetzel

1930 Biographical Directory of US Government Officials❦ Who’s Who in Government (Vol.I only) The Biographical Research Bureau

Medieval Tomb Effigies of French Monarchs❦ Gisants Vingt-cinq Rois et Reines de France 1949

Album of Edward VII's Funeral by Le Bon Marché❦ BON MARCHE Funérailles du roi d’Angleterre Edouard VII

Horstmann Collection Auction Catalog (1929)❦ Collection F. J. E. Horstmann à Oud Clingendaal – Tableaux, Meubles, Tapisser…

The Legend of Beasts: The Adam Worm❦ LA NEZIERE LE CORDIER La Légende des Bêtes. Le Ver Adam

André Breton’s surrealist silver print, 1948❦ SURRÉALISTE André BRETON photo argentique 20 x 15 cm. 1948

Corneille’s Theatre with Commentaries (1776)❦ CORNEILLE THÈATRE DE P. CORNEILLE 1776

Love Lessons in a Park and Other Romances❦ Boylesve La leçon d’amour dans un parc / Sainte-marie des fleurs

Jules Renard’s Unpublished Journals (1887–1905)❦ RENARD (Jules) Journal Inédit 1887-1895, 1896-1899, 1900-1902, 1903-1905

Paul Fort’s Anthology of French Ballads❦ FORT Paul Choix De Ballades Françaises: Hymnes, Chansons, Lieds, Elégies+envoi

Textile industry review from 1890❦ Textile moniteur de la filature du tissage des apprets de la teinture 1890

Marvels of the Invisible World❦ MERVEILLES DU MONDE INVISIBLE mini 1880

Brantôme’s Scandalous Ladies' Lives❦ SEIGNEUR DE BRANTOME Vies des Dames Galantes 1868

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