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

Parisian Portraits with Author's Inscription❦ JOUHANDEAU Nouvelles images de Paris suivies de Remarques sp + dédicace

Primel and Noal: A Romantic Poem with Engravings❦ BRIZEUX Auguste Marie. Poème. Primel et Noal ill-PILLE

Vimy Ridge - Canadian Trench Frontline Views❦ VIMY RIDGE – Tranchée canadienne 1ère ligne 12 vues

1924 piano songbook with illustrations❦ BOUQUET DE CHANSONS RECUEILIES, CHANTEES & ANIMEES

1881 Paris postcard in full❦ carte-postal entier 1881 Paris

Virgil’s Eclogues in French Verse by Valéry❦ VALERY PAUL TRADUCTION EN VERS DES BUCOLIQUES DE VIRGiLE SP

Bareges, Pays Toy and Pic du Midi in vintage photos❦ BAREGES PAYS TOY ET PIC DU MIDI

French porcelain marks and signatures❦ porcelaine Marques et signatures de la porcelaine française

Gouraincourt blast furnaces❦ Gouraincourt hauts fourneaux

Artois Provincial Council (1640-1790): Quest for Sovereignty❦ Artois Le Conseil Provincial d’Artois (1640-1790) – Une cour provinciale…

A Christmas Carol with Raber’s illustrations❦ DICKENS (Charles) Raber Un conte de Noël le possédé 1946

1967 Religious Guide to France❦ Guide religieux de la France 1967

THIERRY’s historical letters on France❦ THIERRY Augustin. Lettres sur l’histoire de France 10 ans d’études historiques

Maurice Barrès’ 1916 Italian Journey❦ BARRES, MAURICE DIX JOURS EN ITALIE 1916

Sedan Campaign: A Staff Officer’s Memoir 1883❦ Sedan. Souvenirs d’un officier supérieur 1883

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