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

Selected Secular Tales with Parallel Latin Texts❦ Histoires choisies des auteurs profanes traduites en français avec le latin

Jean Epstein’s Film Spirit❦ ciné EPSTEIN JEAN ESPRIT DE CINEMA

The Dispossession of Flowers❦ Bonhomme, Béatrice Le dessaisissement des fleurs

Surrealist Manifestos and Collective Declarations 1922-1969❦ Surréaliste TRACTS SURREALISTES ET DECLARATIONS COLLECTIVES 1922-1969

SARTRE’S AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL REFLECTIONS❦ SARTRE JEAN PAUL LES MOTS GALLIMARD EO

Japan in the 1950s: Humorous Cultural Clash❦ Japan CLEVELAND It’s better with Your Shoes off

1911 Post & Telegraph Almanac Lot-et-Garonne❦ Almanach des postes et des télégraphes 1911 lot et Garonne

Tolstoy's Complete Reading Books (1869-1872)❦ TOLSTOI, Leon. LES QUATRE LIVRES DE LECTURE 1869-1872

Paul Hervieu’s autograph letters and cards❦ PAUL HERVIEU lettres & cartes autographes manuscrites & signées

20 centimes Sower postage stamp with blank double flap❦ Entier postale 20 centimes SEMEUSE avec réponse VIERGE volet double

Volaire: Master of 18th-Century European Landscape❦ Pierre Jacques VOLAIRE 1729-1799

Alain Tymen (1939–1982) Illustrated Tribute❦ Alain TYMEN 1939-1982

Sacred History: Concise Biblical Overview 1839❦ DE BONNECHOSE EMILE HISTOIRE SACREE OU PRECIS HISTORIQUE 1839

Constantinople in 19th-Century Engravings❦ Perse BARTLETT & PARDOE Beauties Of The Bosphorus..Constantinople…Turquie

Industry of Straw Hats: The Old Shepherd's Craft❦ Chapeau industrie du chapeau de paille Vieux-berger tresseur de paille Lavaurett

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