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

Early 20th-century road map of Lorraine-Vosges❦ Vosges Carte Taride CARTE ROUTIERE N°6 – LORRAINE – VOSGES

Hungarian Folk Art 1958❦ L’ART POPULAIRE EN HONGRIE 1958

History of Clichy-la-Garenne by Abbé Lecanu❦ Clichy HISTOIRE DE CLICHY LA GARENNE

Charlet and His Work: A Lithographic Masterpiece❦ Charlet et son oeuvre

Georges Rouault: Special Issue with Childhood Memories❦ ROUAULT Le Point, nos. XXVI-XXVII (26-27) : Rouault

A Reliable Client by Courteline❦ STEINLEN COURTELINE Georges : Un client sérieux (1897).

Kon-Tiki expedition across the Pacific❦ Expédition du Kon-Tiki – Sur un radeau à travers le Pacifique |

Boileau’s critical epistles with commentary❦ BOILEAU-DESPREAUX. Epistres. Edition critique avec commentaire par Albert Cahen

Catalogue of Daragnès’ Illustrated Books❦ Daragnès Catalogue des Livres illustrés par Daragnès

Mexican romance by Boussenard❦ Mexique BOUSSENARD. Juana, la fiancée mexicaine

National Archives: General State of Collections❦ Archives nationales : état général des fonds

The Hôtel de la Marine: Monument and History❦ L’ hotel de la Marine , le monument et l’ histoire 1924

Stendhal’s Parme Charterhouse in fine edition❦ STENDHAL. La Chartreuse de Parme/ vergé d’Arches

Centuries of sketches by Hugo and Merson❦ peinture F. Meaulle Et moi aussi, je suis Peintre ! Cent gravures et croquis

Erotic novel at the feet of Omphale❦ érotique RAYNAL (Henri). Aux pieds d’Omphale

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