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

Manon Lescaut: A tragic love story❦ MANON LESCAUT Prévost Maurice LELOIR

1909 Postal & Telegraph Almanac - Lot-et-Garonne❦ Almanach des postes et des télégraphes 1909 lot et Garonne

1935 illustrated fairy tales anthology❦ Contes et images 1935 ill-Franc-Nohain

Poetic collages by Jacques Prévert❦ PREVERT Jacques Fatras Gallimard 1966

Auguste Nadaud’s Rare 1870 Song Collection❦ NADAUD AUGUSTE ENCORE DES CHANSONS 1870

Exotic adventures in Meiji Japan❦ IVOI Message du Mikado & une fillette contre un empire

Illustrated History of Italian Cars to 1940❦ AUTO CANESTRINI Storia illustrata dell’auto italiana. dalle origini al 1940

Selected Letters of the Marquise de Sévigné❦ Sévigné Lettres choisies de Mmes de Sévigné, de Grignan, de Simiane 1815

André Breton’s Political Stance on Surrealism❦ BRETON (André) Position politique du surréalisme

Autograph letter by Daniel Halévy❦ Daniel Halévy lettre autographe signée

Ethiopia in the 1930s: A noblewoman’s journey❦ ETHIOPIE MODERNE 1933

Animal Spirit in 19th-Century Illustrated Bestiary❦ TOUSSENEL A. L’ESPRIT DES BETES J. HETZEL

French verse theory with author's dedication❦ FORMONT & LEMERRE LE VERS FRANCAIS – VERSIFICATION ET + dédicace

Saint-Martin Abbey Cartulary, Pontoise, Vol. 3❦ Cartulaire de l’abbaye de Saint-Martin de Pontoise 3 ème fascicule

Fantasy Costumes for a Masquerade Ball❦ GREVIN Alfred Costumes de fantaisie pour un bal travesti

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