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

The Persecuted Virtue of Ithea❦ Ithea comtesse de Toggenbourg 1844

Alphabetical Legal Questions Collection❦ MERLIN M. Recueil Alphabétique des Questions de Droit 1820

Exploration of existential boundaries❦ Serafino Ettore OLTRE LA SOGLIA

Life as a Theater Exhibition❦ CHAPELAIN-MIDY. La vie est un Théatre. Musée de la Poste, 1979

Art of Bullfighting by Goya❦ Goya La Tauromachie Suivi de Les Taureaux de Bordeaux

Alphabetical Collection of Legal Questions❦ MERLIN M. Recueil Alphabétique des Questions de Droit 1827

Degas: A Study of the Artist❦ Degas LASSAIGNE Degas 1947

Map for cyclists and motorists❦ Carte Taride, Routière N°8 : Paris, Orléanais

Literary exploration of Lutèce and rural life❦ NOGUÈS Lutèce et le Paysan

Collections of Jane's Nights❦ KOCK LES TREIZE NUITS DE JANE

Discussion on Ultramontanism❦ TIMON Feu ! Feu ! – oui et non 1845

Flaubert's Memoirs of a Madman❦ FLAUBERT (Gustave). Mémoires d’un fou. Novembre. Préface de Henri Guillemin

A rare work on the King of Thessaly❦ KOLEMINE – ECILAW Le Roi de Thessalie 1886

A Novel by Julien Green❦ GREEN (Julien) L’Autre 1971

Iris Bastian's 1970 Rare Book❦ BASTIANI ANGE IRIS 1970

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