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 Wife of the Refractory by M. Masson❦ La femme du réfractaire par M. Masson

Gabriel de Saint-Aubin, painter.❦ Gabriel de Saint-Aubin, peintre. 1912

John Burgee Architecture: Buildings and Projects 1979❦ John Burgee Architecture-Buildings and Projects 1979

Military item c. 1880 6.5 x 10 cm❦ Militaire vers 1880 6,5 x 10 cm.

ROstand État présent du transformisme 1931❦ ROSTAND ETAT PRESENT DU TRANSFORMISME 1931

The Labour Problem in the United States 1927❦ Le Problème ouvrier aux Etats – Unis 1927

European Paintings Before 1900 in the Fogg Art Museum

Polytechnique PROPOS DE O. L. BARENTON CONFISEUR

Théâtre Mogador La petite fonctionnaire – ill. Louis Icart❦ Théâtre Mogador La petite fonctionnaire- ill. Louis Icart

Africa at the Gates of Africa. Illustrations by Renier❦ Afrique aux portes de l’afrique. Illustration de Renier

Eugène Belville. Les Procédés Faciles de Décoration du Métal. 39 drawings❦ Belville (Eugène). Les Procédés Faciles de Décoration du Métal. 39 dessins

Jacqueline Dauriac 1989 inscribed by the author.❦ Jacqueline Dauriac 1989 dédicacé par l’auteur.

Notice on Mathieu Mérian's Plan (1615)❦ Notice sur le Plan de Mathieu Mérian ( 1615 )

HERON DE VILLEFOSSE RENE AMBIANCES 1936

Delights of Adolescence or New Historical Repository for the Mind 1811❦ DELICES DE L’ADOLESCENCE OU NOUVEAU MAGASIN HISTORIQUE POUR L’ESPRIT 1811

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