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

A comprehensive guide to bread❦ pain 100 % pain. La saga du pain

Remarkable Year in Russia❦ KOTZBUE L’année la plus remarquable de ma vie Suivi d’une réfutation Russie 1802

Harlem’s Dark Heart in 1932 Paris❦ QUARTIER NOIR ( HOME to Harlem) 1932

Victorian-era satirical dolls of 1876❦ DROZ Monsieur Madame Bébé 1876

Church as God-Man’s Work: Besançon Lectures 1892❦ L’EGLISE OEUVRE DE L’HOMME-DIEU conférences Besanson 1892

School Discipline in 19th Century France❦ école Récompenses et punitions

René by Chateaubriand: Romantic melancholy in 1917 edition❦ CHATEAUBRIAND (F.-R. De). René

Murger’s Latin Quarter in 1858❦ Murger LE PAYS LATIN 1858

Mirabeau’s Political Manual: A Rare 1797 Two-Volume Set❦ Mirabeau Esprit de Mirabeau ou manuel de l’homme d’état 1797

MUSSET’S COMEDIES & PROVERBS ILLUSTRATED BY BRUNELLESCHI❦ Musset Comédies et proverbes illustrations Brunelleschi

Belle Époque theatre postcards album❦ Vin Désiles cartes postales 155 artistes BELLE EPOQUE

Hambourg’s War-Time Journey to Hitler’s Retreat❦ Berghof HAMBOURG D’ALGER A BERCHTESGADEN 1947

Washington: Founding Father of the USA❦ USA Washington. Fondateur de la République des Etats-Unis.

Guyane Jean-Marcel Hurault French and Indians in Guyana❦ Guyane Jean-Marcel Hurault Francais et Indiens en Guyane

SARASIN’s Poetry with Lithograph Portrait, 1824❦ SARASIN.- Poésies de Sarasin. Orné d’un portrait 1824

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