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

Bouché en Cœur by Zénaïde Fleuriot, 1882❦ FLEURIOT Zénaïde BOUCHE EN COEUR 1882

Yves Frontenac’s Organs of Silence❦ Yves Frontenac les orgues du silence

Job Bonaparte: Historical Album by Montorgueil❦ MONTORGUEIL JOB BONAPARTE

Guéguen’s Rare 1935 Fawn Hunt with Author’s Inscription❦ Guéguen La Chasse du Faon rose + dédicace

Apollinaire’s poetic drama in three acts❦ APOLLINAIRE Couleur du temps : Drame en 3 actes / pur chiffon nté

Easter Octave Liturgy, Angers 1837❦ office de la quinzaine de pâques 1837

17th-century Parisian strolling art and promenades❦ promenade à paris au XVII e siècle l’art de se promener les lieux de promenade

Selected short stories by Kipling❦ KIPLING Nouveaux contes choisis 1919

Egypt in 18th-century engraving❦ Egypte 21 x 35 cm. XVIIIème

Existentialism as Humanism❦ SARTRE JEAN-PAUL L’EXISTENTIALISME EST UN HUMANISME 1946

Shipwrecked on the Calypso❦ MAYNE-REID Les Naufragés de la “Calypso” 1896

Marguerite Yourcenar’s French Academy Speech❦ Yourcenar Discours de réception de Madame Marguerite Yourcenar /Ormesson

Baedeker’s 1884 Travel Guide to Germany & Austria❦ BAEDEKER Allemagne et L Autriche 1884

19th-century physics, chemistry, and natural history lessons❦ Notions de physique et de chimie, lecons d’histoire naturelle, et principes…

Autograph letter to poet Fernand Gregh❦ Georges Lecomte Académie Française Lettre autographe manuscrite

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