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

Greece in 19th-century engravings❦ Grèce ALIGNY Vues des sites les plus célèbres de la Grèce Antique

Renaissance Art in Lower Normandy 1975❦ Renaissance en Basse-Normandie 1975

French Plan: Doctrine & Action (1935)❦ Marcel DÉAT Comité du Plan Le Plan français. Doctrine et Plan d’Action 1935

30mm Plaster Medal❦ Médaille en plâtre 30 mm

Historical Arms & Armor Illustrated 1886❦ ARMES ET LES ARMURES 1886

1978 French High Society Directory❦ Bottin mondain 1978

Napoleonic Wars in the Eastern Pyrenees❦ Campagnes de la Révolution Française dans les Pyrénées Orientales 1861

Theophile Gautier's masterpiece❦ GAUTIER THEOPHILE. MADEMOISELLE DE MAUPIN -1877

Autographed letter and card from JOFFRE❦ Maréchal JOFFRE Belle carte autographe manuscrite

Correspondence between Gide and Du Bos❦ GIDE André & DU BOS Charles Lettres de Charles du Bos et réponses de André Gide

Golden Bird: A Deluxe Japon Paper Edition❦ Tharaud L’oiseau d’or exemplaire sur papier Japon

Carlegle’s whimsical guide to household virtues❦ CARLEGLE La chasse à l’éléphant ou « les Vertus ménagères »

Hervé Di Rosa at Louis Carré Gallery: Around the World, 18th Stage❦ HERVE DI ROSA à la galerie Louis Carré Autour du monde 18e étape

French Caricature and Humor in the 19th Century❦ CARICATURE ET L’HUMOUR FRANÇAIS AU XIX ème siécle

Pyrénées: A border mountain presented❦ Pyrénées, présentation d’une montagne frontalière – El Pirineo, presentacion

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