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

Miniature APULÉE Apuleius madaurensis platonicus... 1624❦ Mini APULÉE Apuleius madaurensis platonicus… 1624

André Breton, Poèmes + inscribed dedication❦ BRETON André Poèmes + dédicace

AGEN Collection of the Proceedings of the Society of Agriculture, Sciences and Arts of Agen❦ AGEN Recueil des Travaux de La Société d’Agriculture, Sciences et Arts d’Agen

Aviation L'Air. Bi-monthly review. Organ of French aviation 1942-1946❦ Aviation L’Air. Revue bi-mensuelle. Organe de l’aviation française 1942-1946

Royal declaration on silver coinage 1640❦ Monnaie déclaration du Roy portant sur les monnoyes d’Argent 1640

André Breton. La Clé des Champs❦ BRETON (André). La Clé des Champs MIRO

Surrealism Abridged Dictionary of Surrealism 1938❦ Surréalisme Dictionnaire abrégé du surréalisme 1938

Paris MONTORGUEIL Sketches of Parisian Life: Sunday Pleasures 1896❦ Paris MONTORGUEIL Croquis parisiens. Les plaisirs du Dimanche 1896

GAUGUIN, Paul The smile of Paul Gauguin❦ GAUGUIN, Paul Le sourire de Paul Gauguin

Shakespeare — The Plays of Shakespeare illustrated by Selous❦ Shakespeare – The Plays of Shakespeare illustred Selous

LE GRAND MARÉCHAL EXPERT ET FRANÇOIS, Cheval, 17th century❦ Cheval LE GRAND MARÉCHAL EXPERT ET FRANÇOIS 17ème

China, the Third Giant: China❦ Chine troisième géant: La Chine

BRETON (André) La Brèche. Surrealist Action 8/8❦ BRETON (André) La Brèche. Action surréaliste 8/8

Breton (André) Entretiens DEDICATION + S.P.❦ BRETON (André) Entretiens DEDICACE + S.P.

Chess, the Game of Eschecz, 1862❦ Echecs le jeu des eschecz 1862

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