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

Nerval’s Romantic Poetry Collection with Rare Sonnets❦ Nerval, Gérard de Poésies. Odelettes, les chimères, chansons et vieilles ballade

Selected Tales by Daudet, 1880 miniature edition❦ Daudet, Alphonse. Contes Choisis, 1880 mini

Industrial Ceramics Manual, 1922❦ céramique Manuel de ceramique industrielle, 1922

Comprehensive catalogue of Achille Mauzan❦ Achille Mauzan Catalogue raisonné Mirande Carnévalé-Mauzan

The Lost Domain by Alain-Fournier❦ ALAIN-FOURNIER Le Grand Meaulnes 1946

Microscope guidebook from 1941❦ microscope POUR UTILISER..LE MICROSCOPE

Collection of carpentry models❦ Menuiserie cent modèles de menuiserie

Lombart 1913 Chocolate Calendar❦ chocolat Lombart 1913 calendrier 48 x 76 mm.

Fénelon’s Telemachus: Classic 18th-Century Adventure❦ FENELON Aventures de Télémaque 1800 87 x 137 mm.

Polytechnique Class of 1950 Yearbook❦ Polytechnique X promotion 1950

Henry de Montherlant’s tragic drama❦ MONTHERLANT HENRY DE FILS DE PERSONNE

Illustrated Holy Bible Testament by Abbé Meissas❦ Testament Histoire Sainte comprenant l’Ancien et le Nouveau Testament Hetzel

The Azure Giant by André Laurie❦ Laurie (André) Le géant de l’azur. Illustrations de Georges Roux. HETZEL

Critique of a theological mystery❦ Response au livre intitulé le mystere d’iniquité du Sieur du Plessis 1614

Wild Beasts in Art and Folklore❦ LIVRE DES BÊTES QU’ ON APPELLE SAUVAGES. DEMAISON (André)

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