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

Voltaire’s epic poem on Henry IV with critical essay❦ Voltaire Henriade en dix chants avec la dissertation sur la mort d’Henri IV 1791

Bossuet’s critique of Protestantism in 1717❦ BOSSUET Histoire des variations des Eglises protestantes 1717

Satirical Poetry Parodying Classic Works❦ LE POT-POURRI, OU PRÉSERVATIF DE LA MELANCOLIE, CONTENANT LA HENRIADE TRAVESTIE

Growing Up! Illustrated Children’s Book❦ TROUESSART Grandir!

André Breton’s Surrealist Manifesto❦ BRETON (André). Légitime Défense. Éditions Surréalistes 1926

Hémard’s satirical medical dictionary❦ Hémard – L’Académie de l’Humour Français. Dictionnaire humoristique de la médec

Adventure at Sea: A Fifteen-Year-Old Captain❦ VERNE Un capitaine de quinze ans HETZEL

Voltaire’s Henriade and Temple du Goût, 1802❦ mini la henriade poème 1802

Roger Peyrefitte’s Saint-Pierre Keys with inscription❦ PEYREFITTE Roger Les clés de Saint-Pierre + dédicace

Courboin’s Print Catalogue: Rare 1900 Reserve❦ Courboin Catalogue sommaire des gravures et lithographies composant la reserve

Uncle Thomas by PIGAULT-LEBRUN (1800)❦ PIGAULT-LEBRUN Mon Oncle Thomas 1800

Golden Book of the Carabiniers with rare illustrations❦ Le livre d’or des Carabiniers. Illustré par Ed. DETAILLE, TITEUX, Van MUYDEN

1933 Humorous Medical Journal in Half-Leather Binding❦ Ridendo, Revue gaie pour le médecin 1933

Mother and Daughter Dynamics❦ érotique TELLE MERE, TELLE FILLE OU LA BELLE ALSACIENNE

James Henri's The Turn of the Screw❦ James Henri Le tour d’écrou

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