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

1755 Parisian almanac with moral guidance❦ ALMANACH LE MEILLEUR LIVRE, ou LES MEILLEURES ETRENNES QUE L’ON PUISSE 1755

Mesmer’s Treatise on Animal Magnetism❦ Magnétisme animal Mesmer

Colomba and Other Tales by Mérimée❦ MERIMEE (Prosper) Colomba, suivi de La Mosaïque et Autres Contes et Nouvelles.

Marie Offered to Youth in Key Life Moments❦ MARIE OFFERTE A LA JEUNESSE DANS LES PRINCIPALES CIRCONSTANCES DE SA VIE 1873

Evolution of Slavery Across Human Races (1897)❦ évolution de l’esclavage dans les diverses races humaines 1897

Champs-Élysées and its district❦ Paris LES CHAMPS-ÉLYSÉES ET LEUR QUARTIER

Beaumarchais' Figaro in 1826❦ Répertoire populaire du Théâtre-Français mariage de Figaro 1826 MINI

Chekhov’s melancholic masterpiece in rare edition❦ TCHEKHOV, A. Une morne histoire. / Hollande

Tasso’s Jerusalem and Aminta (1823) in fine binding❦ Tasso La Gerusalemme e l’Aminta di Torquato Tasso 1823

Theophrastus and La Bruyère’s Moral Portraits❦ LA BRUYERE LES CARACTÈRE 1754

Pindar’s odes in 18th-century French translation❦ PINDARE Nouvelle traduction des quelques odes de Pindare 1776

A Sister’s Memoir by Madame de Witt❦ DE WITT (Mme), NEE GUIZOT UNE SOEUR ill-Bayard

Plaster medal, 53 mm❦ Médaille en plâtre 53 mm.

French 18th-century cabinetmakers❦ ébénistes du XVIIIe siècle français Connaissance des arts

Marvels of Nature and Human Craftsmanship (1829)❦ merveilles du monde, ou les plus beaux ouvrages de la nature & des hommes 1820

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