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

1914 Aviation in Saint-Cloud❦ coteaux de st-Cloud avenue de Lonchamp 1914 aviation

Victor Hugo’s Early Essays on Literature and Philosophy❦ Hugo (Victor) LITTERATURE ET PHILOSOPHIE MELEES 1834

Vigny’s philosophical poems❦ VIGNY, Alfred de. Les destinées. Poèmes philosophiques

Roland Schweitzer: 60 Years of Architectural Vision❦ architecte Roland Schweitzer 2014

Bohemian Life in 19th-Century Paris❦ MURGER Henri Scènes de la vie de Bohème. H. Lardanchet. HOLLANDE nté

Captain Mollin’s exposé on the fiches scandal❦ MOLLIN capitaine La Vérité sur l’affaire des fiches

Vasarely: Master of Modern Art❦ Vasarely (Les maîtres de la peinture moderne)

Special Atlas of the 1815 Campaign❦ Waterloo Charras. Campagne de 1815 – Waterloo. – Atlas spécial

Wells' Island of Dr. Moreau (1906)❦ SF WELLS L’ile du Docteur Moreau 1906

Agen’s Antiquities: Beaumesnil’s Manuscript❦ Agen 47 Antiquités de la ville d’Agen : le manuscrit de Pierre de Beaumesnil

Memoirs of the Prince of Peace❦ Mémoires du Prince de la Paix, don Manuel Godoy, duc de l’Alcudia

Napoleon’s Son in Vienna: 1829 Memoirs❦ NAPOLEON BARTHÉLÉMY et MÉRY Le fils de l’homme ou souvenirs de Vienne 1829

MUSSET’s early poetry in fine Canape binding❦ MUSSET Premières poésies reliure Canape

17th–18th century French generals in rare military portfolio❦ Armée Les anciennes armées françaises. Exposition rétrospective militaire

Corsi’s Corsican songs and notes❦ Corse Ciosi notes & chansons

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