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

A woman's club exploring devotion❦ Kennedy Margaret Tessa, la nymphe au coeur fidèle Louis Guilloux

French take on Walter Scott❦ Walter Scott français Janet

Life in Madeira - A Novel❦ Chardonne Jacques Vivre à Madère – Roman

The Sponger - Wood engraved portrait❦ RENARD Jules. L’écornifleur portrait gravé & ex sur Lafuma

Youth of the Grand Mademoiselle (1627-1652)❦ JEUNESSE DE LA GRANDE MADEMOISELLE (1627-1652)

Lake Ontario Illustrated Work❦ COOPER FENIMORE. LE LAC ONTARIO, 1936

French Marshals through History❦ Maréchaux de France, à travers neuf siècles d’histoire

Theatrical Arts: Watteau to Fragonard❦ WATTEAU A FRAGONARD 1980 Bordeaux

Ménars Castle: Architectural Plates & Loire Valley Jewel❦ chateau de Ménars planches..val de loire

The Guardian Angel Inn - Illustrated Edition❦ L’AUBERGE DE L ANGE GARDIEN ill- Matéja

Florian's poetic exploration of Numa Pompilius❦ FLORIAN NUMA POMPILIUS, SECOND ROI DE ROME 1810

Wildlife of the Great North❦ Bêtes du Grand Nord. Castors, Rats musqués, Renards, Lynx, Elan, ours, geai

Study of Marguerite de Navarre's La Coche❦ MARGUERITE DE NAVARRE LA COCHE TEXTE DE L’EDITION DE 1547 avec les variantes

Beautiful binding of a rare edition❦ FROMENTIN (Eugène). Dominique. sur vélin B.K.F

Poetic Crisis Explored❦ Crise Poétique: Et Aussi Le Poète, Les Courtisanes Et l’Amour

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