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

Reynaldo Hahn autographed postcard to Fernand Gregh❦ Reynaldo `Hahn carte autographe signée

Maurice Barrès’ Levantine Journey❦ BARRES MAURICE UNE ENQUETE AUX PAYS DU LEVANT

The Forty-Five Guardsmen by Dumas❦ DUMAS Alexandre LES QUARANTE CINQ

Historical account of the French Revolution wars (1792-1794)❦ Révolution Tableau historique de la guerre de la révolution 1808

Henry Bataille’s Love Sisters with Author’s Inscription❦ Bataille Henry Les soeurs d’amour + dédicace

Longepierre’s French verse translation of Theocritus’ Idylls❦ THEOCRITE LONGEPIERRE Idylles de Théocrite 1688

GASQUET's Provençal Childhood Memories❦ GASQUET MARIE. UNE ENFANCE PROVENCALE

Origins and Rise of Ecclesiastical Power in France❦ DE L’ORIGINE, DE LA NATURE ET DES PROGRÈS DE LA PUISSANCE ECCLÉSIASTIQUE E..

Four Ages of Nature in Illustrated 19th-Century Edition❦ Les quatre âges de la nature

Catalan conspirators' seized correspondence❦ Catalan BAIGÉS CORRESPONDANCE DES CONSPIRATEURS DE LA CATALOGNE CATALUNA 1809

Pensées by Pascal in rare uncut Holland paper edition❦ PASCAL MOLINIER LES PENSEES Lemerre ex. sur Hollande

A love letter lost in a taxi ride❦ DE VILMORIN, Louise La lettre dans un taxi

Covarrubias’ Legal Treatise for Philip II (1610) – Rare Folio❦ Droit Covarrvvias A Leyva Toletani Episcopi Segobiensis Philippi II 1610

MUSSET’s works illustrated by Lami & Lalauze❦ MUSSET Alfred lalauze illustrations pour les oeuvres /Japon

Hungarian women's craftwork ornaments from 1881❦ ornements remarquables de l’exposition hongroise industrielle des ouvrages de…

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