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 President Hénault and Madame du Deffand❦ PEREY Le président Hénault et Madame du Deffand.

Horace’s Odes in verse translation, 1835❦ HORACE Odes d’Horace traduites en vers par B.L-C. 1835

Six novels by Louÿs & Corday in fine bindings❦ Louÿs & Michel Corday 6 romans

Hardstone Mosaics at Versailles Palace❦ TABLEAUX DE PIERRES DURES. CHATEAU DE VERSAILLES

Children's Stories from 1907❦ BONNES BETES ET BONNES GENS 1907

Dick May’s Social Forces in the Turmoil of 1920❦ Dick May LES FORCES (dans la mêlée)

Voltaire’s Tales & Novels on India Paper❦ Voltaire. Contes & Romans sur biblio-pelure India

Rare and precious words dictionary❦ Dictionnaire des mots rares et précieux

Gestural Notations by Georges Polti❦ Georges Polti Notations des gestes

New Archaeological Discoveries in China❦ DECOUVERTES ARCHEOLOGIQUES EN CHINE NOUVELLE

Letter from Robert Dreyfus to Fernand Gregh❦ Robert Dreyfus à Fernand Gregh lettre autographe manuscrite

The Seasons: Thompson’s Classic in Marbled Calf Binding❦ CAZIN THOMPSON Les saisons Traduit de l’Anglais de Thompson

Curious global travel adventures❦ Hombron Aventures les plus curieuses des voyageurs, coup d’oeil autour du monde

Molière’s George Dandin on laid paper❦ Molière George Dandin, sur vergé nté

Tacitus: Agricola & Germania in Latin & French❦ TACITE Vie d’Agricola, et des Moeurs des Germains …1799

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

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