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

Beauty Quantified: Aesthetic Surgery Approach❦ Beauté Mise en Equation – Chirurgie esthétique

Trébien's 25 Postcard Set❦ Soutien-Gorge TREBIEN 25 cartes

Gers Archaeological Society Bulletin 1901❦ Gers Bulletin de la Société Archéologique du Gers

New Blue Tales with Yan' D'Argent Illustrations❦ Laboulaye Edouard Nouveaux contes bleusill-Yan’ d’Argent

Zoology Lessons for Young Women, 1881❦ LEÇONS DE ZOOLOGIE Enseignement secondaire des jeunes filles. 1881

Heroism of the Priesthood in 1876❦ Prêtre L’héroïsme en soutane 1876

1989 Christie’s Jade Auction Catalog❦ JADE Fine Jade Carvings Jadeite Jewellery and Works of Art March 1989 Christie’s

Foundations of Experimental Medicine❦ Claude Bernard Introduction à l’ Étude de La Médecine Expérimentale

Devastated Chatelaillon beach❦ Chatelaillon plage ravagée

Maurice DRUON autograph letter❦ Maurice DRUON lettre autographes signée

Fashion History of Western Costume from Antiquity to Present❦ Mode Histoire du costume en Occident de l’Antiquité à nos jours 1983

Modern French Art 1917-1920❦ L’ART FRANCAIS MODERNE 1917-1920

Lenotre’s Last Terrorists of the Revolution❦ LENOTRE LES DERNIERS TERRORISTES

1878 Catalog of Living Artists' Works at Palais des Champs-Élysées❦ Explication des Ouvrages de Peinture, Sculpture, Architecture..1878

Nodier & Ackermann’s 1854 French Vocabulary❦ Nodier, M. Ackermann Vocabulaire de la langue française 1854

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