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

A King’s Calling by Colette Yver❦ A KING’S CALLING Colette Yver 1913

Lilacs in Bloom: A Nostalgic Novel from Wonderland❦ lilas sont fleuris. Roman-souvenir du Pays des Merveilles + dédicace

French Oil Industry Prosperity❦ PETROLE AU SERVICE DE LA PROSPERITE FRANCAISE

Paul Valéry’s philosophical prose masterpieces❦ VALERY, Paul Oeuvres de Paul Valéry 1931

White Book on Hungary’s Church Struggle❦ LIVRE BLANC QUATRE ANNEES DE LUTTE POUR LA DEFENSE DE L’EGLISE HONGROISE

Henri Béraud’s satirical novel with Kieffer’s artistry❦ BERAUD martyre de l’obèse ; L’amour des livres KIEFFER

Memoirs of Madame de Rémusat on Napoleon’s Court❦ Napoléon REMUSAT Mémoires de Madame de Rémusat

Henri Massis’ early essays with author’s inscription❦ MASSIS (Henri). Evocations, souvenirs + dédicace

Lafaye’s 1858 French Synonym Dictionary❦ Synonymes Lafaye, B Dictionnaire des Synonymes de La Langue Francaise 1858

Original Japanese silk painting 37 x 45 cm❦ Japon belle peinture sur soie originale 37 x 45 cm

Surrealist Art Under Nazi Threat❦ Surrealism under Pressure HEISLER, JINDRICH. & WITKOVSKY…

Noah’s Ark by Guigou & Vimar❦ Vimar Auguste L’Arche de Noé – Paul Guigou

Balzac’s Comédie humaine reference guide❦ Répertoire de la Comédie humaine de H. de Balzac 1887

Elisée Reclus’ 1879 France Atlas in Half-Leather Binding❦ France RECLUS La France. Géographie universelle 1879

Le Gros Lot by Christian Murciaux❦ MURCIAUX Le Gros Lot + dédicace

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