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

PONSARD’s financial satire in verse❦ PONSARD La Bourse. Comédie en cinq actes en vers. 1856

Japanese art history through Smith Bradley’s lens❦ Japon Smith Bradley Une histoire du Japon à travers son art 1965

Proudhon on Usufruct and Property Rights (1825)❦ Proudhon TRAITE DES DROITS D’USUFRUIT, D’USAGE, D’HABITATION, ET 1825

Rare 1669 Brest Harbor Map with Sea Hazards❦ Brest Carte 62,5 x 90 cm carte particulière des environs du port de Brest 1669

18th-century moral reflections in half-leather binding❦ Duclos Considérations sur les moeurs de ce siècle 1751

Ancient Indian Games & Toys❦ Inde La vie publique et privée dans l’Inde ancienne JEUX ET JOUETS

Christophe Jehan: Sculpture and Painting❦ Christophe JEHAN sculpture peinture

Sebastiano Serlio: Renaissance Architect❦ Sebastiano Serlio : architecte de la renaissance

Algerian Architecture: 1974 Collector's Edition❦ ARCHITECTURE ALGERIENNE

MONTHERLANT Novels in Pléiade Edition❦ MONTHERLANT Henry ( de ) ROMANS Gallimard NRF Bibliothèque de la pléiade

Village Scholar’s Enlightenment in 1839❦ Mini MAITRE PIERRE OU LE SAVANT DE VILLAGE 1839

Iconic 1963 photo of Maria CALLAS❦ Maria CALLAS photo argentique originale 18 x 13 cm.

Russian Art Nouveau Masterpieces❦ ART NOUVEAU RUSSE

Raphael Kirchner’s Art Nouveau Geisha Legends❦ KIRCHNER Raphael Kirchner Jugendstil GEISHA

The Siege by Erckmann-Chatrian❦ ERCKMANN-CHATRIAN Le Blocus HETZEL

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