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

Raphael Kirchner: Art Nouveau Legends of Women and Books❦ KIRCHNER Raphael Kirchner la femme et le livre art nouveau

Art Nouveau portrait of a young woman❦ art nouveau jeune femme illustré par F. G. matin, midi, soir, nuit 1902

Delille’s Poetic Works from 1834 in Fine Leather Binding❦ DELILLE MALHEUR ET PITIE – SUIVI DE LA CONVERSATION, POEMES 1834

Complete works of Béranger with fine engravings❦ BERANGER Oeuvres complètes de P.-J. de Béranger. 1834

1969 Soviet-French cultural dance exchange❦ DANSE première mission d’échanges culturels France-U.R.S.S. 1969

1914 Truffle-hunting group in Périgord❦ Truffe Périgord groupe sympatique cherchant la truffe 1914

WW1 Loire Bridge Construction by 6th Engineering Regiment❦ Angers LOIRE Travaux de Pontages sur la Maine par le 6e Génie 12 CPA 1915/1916

Art Nouveau Young Woman 1904❦ art nouveau jeune femme 1904

1900s elegant blue postcards set❦ Belle époque 6 cartes-postales élégantes en bleu

Femina Prize Anniversary Album❦ FEMINA prix Femina, album du cinquantenaire 1954

Lermontov’s Hero of Our Time 1926❦ Lermontov Un héros de notre temps 1926

Mendes France autograph letter❦ PIERRE MENDES FRANCE lettre autographe manuscrite & signée

Paris Encounter: 1940 First Edition❦ GRASSET UNE RENCONTRE PARIS, 1940, dédicace

The Farmer-Builder❦ Fermier constructeur

Rudyard Kipling’s English History for Young Readers❦ KIPLING (Rudyard) Une histoire d’Angleterre pour la jeunesse

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