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

Brussels and Flanders travel guide 1909❦ Bruxelles, souvenir de l’hotel de belle vue et de Flandres 1909

French Railway Stations Guide for Postal Agents❦ NOMENCLATURE DES GARES FRANCAISES A L’USAGE DES AGENTS CHARGES DU CLASSEMENT DES

Overview of Belgian Architecture and Sculpture❦ L’architecture et la sculpture en Belgique 1928

Surrealist Château d'Os: Returns to the Unknown❦ Surréaliste CHATEAU D’OS : LES RETOURS A L’INCONNU

Eugénie de Guérin’s Letters❦ TREBUTIEN Lettres d’Eugénie de Guérin

MUSSET: Complete Poems & Tales 1840❦ Musset Poésies complètes. Contes d’Espagne et d’Italie 1840 EO

Victor Hugo’s tumultuous year in works❦ Hugo, Victor: Oeuvres de Victor Hugo l’année terrible

Alfred de Vigny’s Unpublished Memoirs❦ VIGNY ALFRED MEMOIRES INEDITS FRAGMENTS ET PROJETS NRF

Marceline Desbordes-Valmore’s literary legacy❦ ZWEIG Stefan MARCELINE DESBORDES-VALMORE. Son oeuvre. 1928

Panorama of Dance with Cocteau's Preface❦ danse PANORAMA DE LA DANSE Cocteau

Byron’s Secret by Roger Vivie de Regie❦ Byron VIVIE de REGIE secret de Byron 1927

Portugal’s maritime mail during submarine warfare❦ messagerie maritime aux victimes de la guerre sous-marine, le Portugal

Elementary Physics Lessons 1905❦ Physique Turpain Leçons élémentaires de physique 1905

Jules Verger: Craftsmanship and Legacy❦ JULES VERGER, SES OUVRIERS, SA MAITRISE… UNE FAMILLE 1938

Experimental Method in Humans and Animals (1883)❦ L’homme et l’animal devant la méthode expérimentale 1883

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