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

Perrault’s fairy tales in vintage chocolate edition❦ PERRAULT il était une fois contes édités par les chocolats MEUNIER ill-Mercier

Two accounts of the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871)❦ GUERRE 1870 homme de SEDAN suivi de l’homme de METZ 1871

Dialogue of Convicts 1928❦ Callias le dialogue des forçats 1928

Hungarian Sculpture by E. Gador❦ SCULPTURE HONGROISE E. GADOR

Bibliographic Guide to Armorial Works❦ Armoirie BIBLIOGRAPHIE DES TRAVAUX RELATIFS AUX ARMOIRIES PROVINCES ET VILLES

Lyon Light Co. Photographic catalog❦ LUMIERE LYON.Lumière et ses Fils. Plaques, papiers, produits photogra

Volunteer’s One-Year Diary❦ VALLERY RADOT Journal d’un volontaire d’un an HETZEL

The Devil's Elixirs: A Capuchin's Posthumous Tale❦ élixirs du diable histoire posthume du capucin Médard

Danish Rosenborg Castle & Dutch Museums❦ Danemark Château de Rosenborg en Danemark Petits Musées de Hollande 1879

Jules Cambon’s autograph letter to poet Fernand Gregh❦ Jules Cambon lettre autographe

Ponson du Terrail’s Bérzina Trumpeter & Gastronomic Calendar❦ GALTIER-BOISSIERE trompette de la Bérésina, petit vieux, calendrier gastronomiq-

Geography: Key Milestones in Cartography History❦ Géographie Les Grands faits de l’histoire de la géographie 1882

Autograph Letter by Auguste Garnier❦ Auguste Garnier Lettre autographe

Madame de Sévigné’s 1887 Letters with Historical Notes❦ SÉVIGNÉ. Lettres de Madame de Sévigné 1887

Winter Dining Club Menu, 1914❦ Menu 116 janvier 914 Loir Luigi Palais d’Orsay 320EME DINER DE LA MARMITE FETE

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