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

Dieulafoy’s 1918 Internal Pathology Manual in 4 Volumes❦ pathologie DIEULAFOY MANUEL DE PATHOLOGIE INTERNE 1918

1885 literary anthology with rare citations❦ REVUE RETROSPECTIVE 1885 RECUEIL DE PIECES INTERESSANTES ET DE CITATIONS CURIEUS

Classic French daily cooking guide with 900 recipes❦ cuisine PELLAPRAT La Cuisine de tous les jours. Recueil de 900 recettes

Stereoscopic postcards of Bordeaux, 1933❦ BORDEAUX 33 3 cartes postales stéréo LL

Practical Dictionary of Occult Sciences 1950❦ Occultisme Dictionnaire pratique des sciences occultes1950

Tristan and Iseult: A Medieval Romance Illustrated❦ BEDIER LE ROMAN DE TRISTAN ET ISEUT PIAZZA

Salon 1880: Artists' Works Explained❦ Explication des ouvrages de peinture, sculpture, architecture, gravure 1880

Tropical Islands in 1925: Ceylon, Java, Tahiti❦ Îles de Paradis. Ceylan, Java, Tahiti 1925

Golden Verdure: Rare Tristan Derème poetry collection❦ DEREME (Tristan). La Verdure dorée. Poèmes + Dédicace

1891 Atlas of French Geography by Mataigne❦ Géographie MATAIGNE NOUVELLE GEOGRAPHIE DE LA FRANCE 1891

Hamburg through Mac Orlan's Lens❦ Hambourg Mac Orlan Hambourg – “Les grandes escales” 1933

Béranger’s Complete Works, Vol. 2–3, 1839❦ Grandville Beranger. Nouvelle édition illustrée par Grandville 1839

1830 Devotional Work in Miniature Binding❦ mini Plaintes et complaisances du Sauveur 1830

Letters from Robert Dreyfus to Fernand Gregh❦ Robert Dreyfus à Fernand Gregh lettres autographes manuscrites

The Kindly Ones by Littell❦ Littell, Jonathan Les Bienveillantes Gallimard 11/2006

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