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

Autograph letter signed by Maurice Druon❦ Maurice Druon lettre manuscrite autographe signée

Lucas van Leyden & Bruegel the Elder Engravings❦ Leyden – Peter Bruegel l’Ancien LAVALLEYE 1966

Instrument piloting manual for heavy aircraft 1945❦ Pilotage pilotage aux instruments 1945 PSV vol de nuit avions lourds…

Authentic postcard with hair❦ cheveux carte poste à cheveux (authentique)

Fontainebleau’s historic tramway and commerce❦ Fontainebleau la grande rue 77 tramway commerces

Palavas coastal scenes and left-bank quayside shops❦ Palavas les flots le quai rive gauche boutiques + le passeur 2 CPA

Authentic hair postcard❦ cheveux carte poste à cheveux (authentique)

Art Nouveau portrait of a young woman, 1904❦ art nouveau jeune femme 1904

Art Nouveau Young Woman 1904❦ art nouveau jeune femme 1904

Raphael Kirchner’s Art Nouveau Geisha Legends❦ KIRCHNER Raphael Kirchner LEGENDES art nouveau

Medical Oddities of the Belle Époque❦ Witkowski – Cabanès Gayetez d’Esculape Curiosités et Singularité médicales

Land Rover repair manual: petrol & diesel engines 88 & 109❦ Land-Rover manuel de réparation moteurs à essence et diesel 88 & 109

Caussade town square market scene❦ Caussade place de l’hôtel de ville 82 marché

Art Nouveau Portrait of a Young Woman❦ art nouveau jeune femme

Bastiat’s Defense of Free Trade (1862)❦ BASTIAT FREDERIC OEUVRES LE LIBRE-ECHANGE 1862

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