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

Barbey d'Aurevilly's critique of women writers❦ BARBEY D’AUREVILLY (Jules) les Bas-Bleus 1878

Chantilly Castle during the French Revolution❦ Chantilly SOREL (Alexandre) Le château de Chantilly pendant la Révolution 1872

Malaria: A Tale from Madagascar’s Bush❦ Malaria – Récit de la brousse malgache 1944.

Early telegraphy pioneers in 19th-century France❦ télégraphie DROHOJOWSKA Grands Inventeurs Moderne 1880

Mastering Drawing Techniques Across Mediums❦ FRAIPONT L’ART D’UTILISER SES CONNAISSANCES EN DESSIN, FUSAIN, CRAYON, PLUME …

Fritz Lang: A Cinematic Pioneer’s Life and Work❦ Fritz LANG Sa vie et son oeuvre

Ingénue Saxancour: A Married Woman's Plight❦ RETIF DE LA BRETONE. Ingénue Saxancour ou La Femme Séparée

André Gide: The Narrow Gate❦ GIDE ANDRE. LA PORTE ETROITE. LE LIVRE DE DEMAIN 1956

Jarville-Nancy’s united imagery of La Fontaine❦ IMAGERIES REUNIES DE JARVILLE-NANCY LA FONTAINE en images

Autograph letter from Pierre Gaxotte❦ Pierre Gaxotte lettre autographe signée

Masterpieces of Firearms❦ Armes LA PASSION DES ARMES A FEU – LES TRES BELLE PIECES DES GRANDS ARMURIERS

The Wandering Beast by Louis-Frederic Rouquette❦ ROUQUETTE Louis-Frederic La Bête errante ill- par Georges Tcherkessoff

David Tremlett: Architect of Light❦ Tremlett – architecte de lumière

Art and Faith in 1943: Rare Bibliophile Journal❦ bibliophilie FORMES ET COULEURS – N°4 – 1943

Medieval wall paintings of Poitou-Charentes❦ Peintures murales de Poitou-Charentes

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