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

Hémard’s 1934 French Humor Dictionary❦ Hémard Dictionnaire de l’Académie de l’humour français 1934

Fascism in Year VII by M. Bedel❦ BEDEL (M.) Fascisme an VII S.P. + dédicace

A Year in Nationalist Spain 1937❦ Espagne SOUS LA FOI DU SERMENT. UNE ANNÉE EN ESPAGNE NATIONALISTE 1937

Fables and poems collection❦ Fables de Florian suivies de poésies diverses & Guillaume Tell

French Republic laws bulletin (Year IV)❦ directoire Bulletin des lois de la République Française an IV

Martyrs of Science: Pioneers of Progress❦ Martyrs de la science

Royale and the Newfoundlanders❦ Royale et les Terre-Neuvas

Pagnol’s Virgil: French Bucolics in Original Edition❦ marcel Pagnol VIRGILE Bucoliques S.P. + dédicace

Cardinal de Retz’s Reflections of 1888❦ Retz Pensées du cardinal de 1888

Avvakum's Autobiography with Dedication❦ vie de l’archiprêtre Avvakum écrite par lui-même + dédicace

Elementary Histology Treatise 1863 with author's dedication❦ histologie Traité élémentaire d’histologie 1863 + dédicace

1939 Saint-Gobain chemical fertilizer calendar❦ 1939 calpin calendrier Engrais chimiques manufacture Saint-Gobain 74 x 125 mm.

French society before the Revolution❦ familles et la société en France avant la révolution 1874 Charles de Ribbe

Theoretical and practical guide to soil amendments and fertilizers❦ Traité théorique et pratique des amendements et des engrais…

Stalky & Co. by Kipling (1907)❦ KIPLING RUDYARD STALKY & CIE 1907

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