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

Guide to Cold Greenhouse Cultivation❦ Culture des plantes de serre froide: orangerie et serre tempérée

A charming illustrated work❦ GIRARDIN NOUS AUTRES 1888

Gulliver's Travels to Lilliput❦ Swift VOYAGE DE GULLIVER A LILLIPUT par DUFOUR

Autographed letter by Maurice Bedel❦ Maurice Bedel lettre autographe manuscrite

Selected Stories by Kipling❦ KIPLING CONTES CHOISIS (sur vergé)

Atmospheric Phenomena Overview❦ météo LES PHENOMENES DE L’ATMOSPHERE

PUVIS DE CHAVANNES by Léon Riotor❦ PUVIS DE CHAVANNES

Letters to My Mother❦ LEAUTAUD Paul LETTRES A MA MERE

Poetry collection by Christopher Pitt❦ Pitt Christopher The Poetical Works of Christ Pitt 1782

Wedding Songs from Tulsi-Das❦ INDE Chants nuptiaux de Tulsi-Das

Guide to Brussels and surroundings❦ Bruxelles, souvenir de l’hotel de belle vue et de Flandres 1909

Exhibition Catalog of Paul Valéry❦ Paul Valéry Catalogue de l’exposition la Bibliothèque Nationale 1956

Suarès’ Reflections on Life (1925)❦ Suarès Sur la Vie Essais 1925

Drama in Four Acts❦ MONTHERLANT HENRY DE FILS DE PERSONNE

Political and Literary Annals from 1919❦ ANNALES POLITIQUES ET LITTERAIRES 1919 1 er semestre

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