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

The Man Who Killed: A Rare 1943 Novel❦ FARRERE CLAUDE L HOMME QUI ASSASSINA / GRAVURE DE CHARLES FOUQUERAY

Victor Hugo’s Essays on Literature and Philosophy❦ Victor Hugo Littérature et philosophie mêlées.

Algerian Hunting by Margueritte❦ MARGUERITTE (Auguste) Chasses de l’Algérie. Alger, 1869 + envoi

Complete guide to domestic medicine and surgery❦ Chirurgie nouveau manuel complet de médecine et de chirurgie domestique 1847

Virgil’s Burlesque in 1858 Scarron Edition❦ SCARRON Virgile travesti en vers burlesques avec la Suite de Moreau 1858

Chronicle of the Enemy Brothers❦ THARAUD LA CHRONIQUE DES FRERES ENNEMIS 1929

Molière’s Complete Works in 8 Volumes, 1710 Edition❦ MOLIERE Les oeuvres de Monsieur de Molière 1710

Medieval Illuminated Manuscripts from Austrian Library❦ Abendlandische Buchmalerei Miniaturen aus Handschriften…Rothschild

1802 Pocket Atlas of the World in French❦ Dictionnaire de poche Géographique ou Description Vosgien 1802

Napoleon’s Imperial Soldier (1800–1814)❦ Napoléon Le soldat impérial (1800-1814) Teissèdre

Stanley’s Rescue of Emin Pasha, 1890❦ Stanley au secours D’Émin – Pacha 1890

Classic Tale of Survival❦ DE FOE Aventures de Robinson Crusoé 1837

Le Havre 1976 in 4 Stereo Postcards❦ LE HAVRE 76 4 cartes postales stéréo LL

Diderot’s satirical masterpiece illustrated in 1883❦ DIDEROT Le neveu de Rameau illustré par GAUTHIER 1883

Military Splendor of Liège❦ FASTES MILITAIRES DU PAYS DE LIEGE – MUSEE DE L’ART WALLON

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

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