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

16th CUJAS Iacobi CUIACII praeclarissimi observationum et emendationum 1591❦ 16ème CUJAS Iacobi CUIACII praeclarissimi observationum et emendationum 1591

cheval COURSE CONCOURT La France chevaline 345 cards❦ cheval COURSE CONCOURT La France chevaline 345 cartes

handsome late 19th-century binding by Guy de Téramond, Son petit homme❦ belle époque Guy de téramond son petit homme

Louÿs AUTOGRAPH MANUSCRIPT❦ Louÿs MANUSCRIT AUTOGRAPHE

leather antique book decoration for interior/showcase/cinema display, 10 M❦ décoration livres anciens CUIR pour décoration intérieur/vitrine/cinema 10 M.

hugo ARNIM (Achim d') Bizarre Tales. Illustrations by Valentine Hugo / JAPAN❦ hugo ARNIM (Achim d’) Contes bizarres. Illustrations de Valentine Hugo / JAPON

Comedies by Terence Les Comédies de Térence 1771 full-leather binding❦ comédies TERENCE Les Comédies de Térence 1771 reliure maroquin

Francis Bacon Recent Works 1977 signed Francis Bacon❦ Bacon oeuvres récentes 1977 signé Francis Bacon

Boccaccio The Decameron morocco binding Smeers Flameng❦ BOCCACE Les dix journées maroquin reliure Smeers FLAMENG

reliure SAMAIN Le Chariot d'or illustrated by Charles Chessa Nolhac binding❦ reliure SAMAIN Le Chariot d’or illust- Charles Chessa Reliure de Nolhac

Voltaire Works 1838-1839 Pourrat❦ Voltaire Oeuvres 1838-1839 Pourrat

Tract surrealist Coup de semonce 1957❦ surréaliste Tract surréaliste Coup de semonce 1957

japon albums 818 argentic photographs❦ japon albums 818 photos argentiques

Gil Blas Histoire de Gil Blas de Santillane 1804 binding Allo❦ Gil Blas Histoire de Gil Blas de Santillane 1804 rel. Allo

Taride geography 33 maps in their case❦ géographie Taride 33 Cartes dans leur meuble

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