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

Général Laffargue’s War Memoirs❦ LAFFARGUE Général Fantassin de Gascogne. De mon jardin à la Marne et au Danube

Field Marshal Alexander’s North Africa Campaign (1942–43)❦ Maréchal ALEXANDER D’El-Alamein à Tunis et à la Sicile (1942-1943) AFRIKAKORPS

Invitations to President Armand Fallières' reception❦ Présidence de la République Armand Fallières carton

Ludovic Halévy’s unpublished journals (1862–1870)❦ HALÉVY (Ludovic). Carnets, publiés avec une introduction et des notes…

Illusory Wealth by Homberg❦ riche Homberg O. L’illusoire richesse 1927

Eighteenth-century libertine novel with erotic engravings❦ Couvray Les amours du chevalier de Faublas 1884

Renaissance Astrology: Oronce Fine’s Planetary Clock❦ Astrologie Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève Science et astrologie au XVIe siècle

1806 Almanac of Le Bon Jardinier❦ Jardin Le bon jardinier 1806

Constantine the Great and His Reign❦ Constantin-le-Grand et son règne. 1846

Napoleonic Era Conspiracies Unveiled❦ CONSPIRATEURS AU TEMPS DE NAPOLEON 1Er

Mushroom Guide: Identification, Cultivation & Cooking❦ champignon RECONNAITRE – CULTIVER – CUISINER – LES CHAMPIGNONS

Tintin’s Lotus Blue Adventure❦ Herge LES AVENTURES DE TINTIN, LE LOTUS BLEU Casterman

Sahara: Geology and Mineral Resources❦ SAHARA FURON LE SAHARA, GEOLOGIE, RESSOURCES MINERALES, MISE EN VALEUR

November 1922 issue of fashion magazine❦ Harper’s Bazar November 1922

Family Reading in Action by Legouvé❦ LEGOUVE LECTURE EN FAMILLE – LA LECTURE EN ACTION HETZEL

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