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

Breton coastal landscape from the jetty❦ breton Bouarnenez les plomarchs vus de la digue

Breton peasant postcards from Quéméneven❦ breton paysan de Quéméneven, fontaine Ste marie de ménez-Ménez-Hom…3 CPA

Paris 7th arrondissement, rue du Bac view❦ PARIS 7e rue du Bac. prise du Bd St-GERMAIN

Salt barge in the Sables d'Olonne marshes with customs officials❦ GABARE CHARGEE DE SEL DANS LES MARAIS DES SABLES D’OLONNE ( LA DOUANE A BORD)

Loran Castle - Gers Region Study❦ Mirande GERS 32 le château de Loran

Gascon Types and Characters❦ Gascogne Types Gascons 1916 Le Laboureur

Guide to Cultivating in Guérande❦ Guérande 44 CULTIVATEUR GUERANDAIS

View of Vic Fezansac's town entrance❦ Vic Fezansac entrée de la ville et clocher place de mairie place du commerce x3

On the true merit of man❦ MAITRE de CLAVILLE Traité du vrai mérite de l’homme 1752

Charming edition with Joseph Hémard's illustrations❦ Hémard Mon oncle Benjamin

Collection of Award-Winning Photographs❦ LE PHOTO ALMANACH PRISMA 5 / Un album des plus belles photos primées 1952

Charming illustrations of infants❦ Hetzel GRAMONT Vignettes par PLETSCH (Oscar) Les Bébés

Gothic Art in Europe (12th-14th Century)❦ EUROPE GOTHIQUE XIIe – XIVe – Musée du Louvre 1968

Chantilly Castle and Racing❦ Chantilly LECERF Hippolyte LE CHATEAU DE CHANTILLY ET LES COURSES 1879

Historical Study of Chantilly❦ Chantilly ROUSSEAU-LEROY CHANTILLY ETUDE HISTORIQUE 900-1858

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