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

Geographical Dictionary for Booksellers❦ DICTIONNAIRE DE GEOGRAPHIE ANCIENNE ET MODERNE. A l’usage du libraire..

Stany Mabel 1894 illustrated by Zier❦ Stany Mabel 1894 ill-Zier

Animal Tales by Louis Pergaud❦ Pergaud Louis Histoires de bêtes Illustrations de H Deluermoz

Greek-French Lexicon❦ Lexique Grec-Français contenant tous les mots des divers opuscules..1822

Molière, his wife and daughter in a richly illustrated 19th-century edition❦ Molière sa femme et sa fille RICHEMENT ORNE HOUSSAYE (Arsène)

Defense of Christianity: 19th-Century Theological Lectures❦ FRAYSSINOUS Défense du Christianisme, ou Conférences sur la religion 1825

Sufism: Veil and Quintessence❦ Soufisme voile et quintessence

Rare 1935 illustrated floral art book❦ TOUSSAINT Le Jardin des Roses 1/300

Gay’s 1828 Fables in Full Leather Binding❦ Gay, John Fables by John Gay 1828

Colorful Steel Engraving from Indret❦ usine d’Indret gravure sur acier rehaussée en couleurs

Paul d'Ivoi's eccentric travels of lightning thieves❦ IVOI (Paul d’). LES VOLEURS DE FOUDRE. Voyages excentriques

Henri IV and Catherine plaster medal❦ Henri IV et Catherine médaille en plâtre 36 mm.

Lady Mary Montagu’s Ottoman journey❦ LADY MARY MONTAGU. L’Islam au péril des femmes. Une Anglaise en Turquie au XVIII

Railway commissioner exam manual 1898❦ emploi de commissaire de surveillance administrative des chemins de fer 1898

Brussels and Flanders travel guide 1909❦ Bruxelles, souvenir de l’hotel de belle vue et de Flandres 1909

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

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