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

Jean Rostand’s 1931 transformism study with author’s dedication❦ Jean Rostand – Etat présent du transformisme + dédicace

New Year's Greetings 1906❦ Bonne année 1906

Humboldt’s Andean sites and indigenous monuments❦ HUMBOLDT Site des cordillères et monuments des peuples indigènes 1869

Avant-garde poetry collection❦ PICHETTE Rond-point [suivi de Joyce au participe futur et de Pages pour Chapli..

Goethe’s Theatre in 1839 Paris Edition❦ Goethe théâtre de Goethe 1839

17th-c. theological encyclopedia on the Apostles' Creed❦ Foy Encyclopédie sainte de foy dans l’explication du symbole 1679

The Red Shirt by Jacques Brosse❦ BROSSE Jacques La Chemise Rouge + dédicace

Gavarni’s 1868 Masquerade of Faces❦ GAVARNI MASQUES ET VISAGES 1868

Plaster Medallion of Margueritte Dangolesme❦ médaille en plâtre Margueritte fille de Charles Comte Dangolesme 66 mm.

Gauguin’s emotional life in a rare 1927 edition❦ Dorsenne Jean La vie sentimentale de Paul Gauguin 1927 + dédicace

Jorge Camacho: Birds in Art History❦ Jorge Camacho Dupin histoire des oiseaux Maeght, 1982

Algerian Campaigns 1830–1852❦ Armée d’Afrique de 1830 à 1852

Regional French Furniture Guide❦ LA CONNAISSANCE DES MEUBLES REGIONAUX FRANCAIS

Autograph letter by SOMERSET MAUGHAM (1955)❦ Sommerset MAUGHAN lettre manuscrite autographe LONDON 1955

1950s Motorcycles & Scooters Magazine Collection❦ MOTOCYCLES… & Scooters cyclomoteurs 1950..1958

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

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