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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Our Antiquarian Books Catalog

Beckett’s Endgame❦ BECKETT Samuel FIN DE PARTIE

Illustrated History of New Caledonia❦ Calédonie Histoire illustrée de la Nouvelle-Calédonie

Jacqueline and Her Dog Pataud❦ Jacqueline et son chien Pataud

JANIN: The Small Joys of Life with Gavarni's Illustrations❦ Janin, Jules : Petits (Les) Bonheurs, Illustrations de Gavarni.

1898 French Army Directory with Author's Inscription❦ ARMEE FRANCAISE ALBUM ANNUAIRE ANNEE 1898 + dédicace

Frimousset's School Adventures❦ PINCHON. Frimousset au collège

Signed letters from notable French figures❦ Robert Debré lettre signée

Marguerite de Navarre’s Renaissance tales in 1879 edition❦ NAVARRE L’Heptaméron des Nouvelles de Marguerite d’Angoulesme 1879

Man Ray: A Masterpiece in Sculpture❦ MAN RAY ARTCURIAL , 1991

Rare 1918 Bordeaux library catalog with Gascony & Basque heritage❦ Bibliothèque de Feu M. Ernest Labadie 1918 Bordeaux, la Gironde, la Gascogne et

Pondichéry at the 1931 Colonial Exhibition❦ Inde Exposition Coloniale Pondichéry 1931

Haunted Gallery of Château d'Estalens, 1820❦ Spectre de la galerie du chateau d’Estalens 1820

Memoirs of Malta’s Commandery❦ MALTE ABBE PREVOST MEMOIRES POUR SERVIR A L’HISTOIRE DE MALTE OU HISTOIRE DE LA

Picasso’s New Dation by French Ministry of Culture❦ Picasso une nouvelle dation

Lafayette’s Unfinished Prelude: Poetry 1901–1935❦ LAFAGETTE Le Prélude Inachevé. Poésies. 1901-1935 EO envoi de l’auteur.

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