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

Bohemian Life Scenes - Numbered Edition❦ MURGER H. Scenes De La Vie De Bohème ex sur Lafuma

Marcel AYME - Retreating Steps❦ AYME EN ARRIERE 1950 NRF blanche

Literary Almanac with Tales, Fables & Songs❦ Almanach Littéraire ou Etrennes d’Apollon 1804

RAF History and Development❦ R.A.F BOWYER, Chaz Histoire de la RAF, 1979

Swiss Maritime Review 1942❦ Formes et couleurs. Marine suisse 1942. 4eme année, n°3

Political ambition and romantic pursuit in 19th century France❦ STENDHAL Lucien Leuwen 1927

Nimes: A Protestant City❦ Nimes Cité protestante 1969

Autobiographical novel by romantic author-painter❦ FROMENTIN Dominique 1928

Foreign Policy History Manual 1789-1830❦ Manuel Historique de Politique étrangère 1941

Life and reign of Theodosius the Great❦ FLECHIER Histoire de Théodose Le Grand 1855

Jena and the 1806 Campaign❦ IÉNA et la campagne de 1806

Torrents - Original edition with color lithographs❦ DESMAREST Torrents. illustré par Hofer

Drawings and watercolors from French and foreign schools, 15th-19th centuries❦ Collection De M. J. Boussac 1926

Parisian Fields and Woods❦ PRES ET BOIS PARISIENS Villefosse 1942

Breton Art in the Arthaud Collection❦ Bretagne L’ART BRETON par Waquet

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