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

Clemenceau's Life for French Youth❦ GEORGES CLEMENCEAU – SA VIE RACONTEE A LA JEUNESSE DE FRANCE – ENVOI DE L’AUTEUR

Captain at Sea - Adventure Novel❦ MAYNE-REID Le Capitaine à la Mer ! 1924

Adventure at Africa's Gateway❦ Afrique aux portes de l’afrique. Illustration de Renier

Music in Savoy during the 19th Century❦ la musique en Savoie au XIXe siècle

Philosophical Novel of Passion and Virtue❦ SADE Aline et Valcour Ou Le Roman Philosophique

The Seine River: Journey through France's heartland❦ Louis BARRON Les fleuves de France La Seine ILLUSTRE

Sainte-Beuve's Literary Faults❦ LEMAITRE Les péchés de Sainte-Beuve

Illustrated Guide to the Grison Oberland circa 1900❦ L’Oberland Grison illustré vers 1900

Adventure in the Ship's Hold❦ MAYNE-REID A FOND DE CALE illustré

French Literary Treasures Edition❦ Pascal Pensées 1947

Letter on Publishing Success Conditions❦ Lettre à André Gillon sur les conditions du succès en librairie

Nobilis House Furnishings Catalog❦ Nobilis les heures de la maison PUBLICITE

Middle East Oil: The New Eldorado❦ pétrole Moyen-Orient. Nouvel Eldorado. BOUTELLEAU GÉRARD

Synchronic Linguistics: Studies and Research❦ La Linguistique Synchronique. Etudes et Recherches

Life Pages: A Woman's Portrait❦ DAUDET Alphonse La Fédor, pages de la vie. EO

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