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

1870 War: Alsace, Metz, Sedan Campaigns❦ 1870. Alsace, Metz, Sedan

Military Geography Textbook 1880❦ Géographie militaire Cours d’art militaire École d’application du génie 1880

Camille Jordan’s Alsace and Weimar Journey❦ CAMILLE JORDAN EN ALSACE ET A WEIMAR

Captain Ponpon: A French Colonial Officer’s Memoir❦ Ponpon 2e D. B. capitaine Emmanuel Dupont UN CAÏD

Stereo postcards of Ain Mazi beach, 1911❦ Casablanca jolies baigneuses plage de l’ ANKE, Aïn-Mazi 1911 carte stéréo x 10

Art Nouveau Princess with Fan, 1902❦ art nouveau jeune princesse à l’éventail 1902

Karl Lagerfeld’s 1995 Visions❦ Karl Lagerfeld : Visionen 1995

Gautier’s Romanticism History, 1874❦ GAUTIER HISTOIRE DU ROMANTISME 1874

Manuscript notebook on art history, Vol. II❦ CAHIER MANUSCRIT architecture histoire de l’art Tome II

André Breton’s Letters to Jacques Doucet (1920–1926)❦ BRETON, André Lettres à Jacques Doucet : 1920-1926 Gallimard

Thompson’s Seasons: Eighteenth-Century Miniature Edition❦ THOMPSON (James) Les saisons MINI 1795

Captain Hatteras’ North Pole Expedition❦ Verne, Jules Les Anglais au Pole Nord, aventures du Capitaine Hatteras HETZEL

Memorial to WWI Survivors & Fallen Soldiers❦ LIEUTENANT GRIMONT Mémorial de la Grande Guerre. Poilus survivants 1922, 288e RI

1914 Touring-Club de France Directory❦ TOURING-CLUB de FRANCE 1914 annuaire

Prussian, Baden & Bavarian 1870 campaign uniforms❦ 1870 tenue de campagne des armées prussienne, badoise & bavaroise 59 x 40 cm

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