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

Life of Gustavus Adolphus❦ bibliothèque des dimanche vie de Gustave Adolphe 1864

Admiral von Spee's final cruise❦ Kriegsmarine CROISIERE DE L’AMIRAL VON SPEE Souvenirs de l’Escadre des Croiseurs

Auction catalog of art objects, curiosities and furnishings❦ LAVEDAN 1933 Catalogue des objets d’art de curiosité et d’ameublement

Complete Works of COURRIER, New Edition 1837❦ Courier Oeuvres complètes Courrier, nouvelles édition 1837

The Great Nostradamus - Monthly Review Issue 1❦ ésotérie Le grand Nostradamus mai 1934 mensuelle n°1

GREVILLE HENRY DOSIA - Rare 19th-century novel❦ GREVILLE HENRY DOSIA 1879

Amateur genealogist's guide to tracing ancestors❦ généalogie A la recherche de vos ancêtres. Guide du généalogiste amateur

Life in Vilaine in the Past❦ Mon village au temps des Civelles

Illustrated Monograph on the Bourges Cathedral❦ BOURGES cathédrale de Bourges

GOGOL's classic tale of revenge❦ GOGOL ianovski Tarass-Boulba

Military Life by Amicis❦ AMICIS LA VIE MILITAIRE

Rare book by GYP from 1924❦ GYP LA DAME DE ST-LEU 1924

Editions du Dauphin, 1948❦ LECLERC EDITIONS DU DAUPHIN 1948

Independent Art Overview 1900-Present❦ COURTHION Art indépendant. Panorama international, de 1900 à nos jours.1958

Introduction to Sailing Yachting❦ YACHING Premières notions yachting à voile Suivies d’un vocabulaire des termes

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