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

Introduction to Poetics by Valery❦ VALERY PAUL INTRODUCTION A LA POETIQUE

Illustrated tale of Don Galaor❦ Cartonnage La troupe de Don Galaor – illustré par Birch

A charming small edition.❦ GONCOURT Madame Gervaisais. 1885 mini

A novel exploring human experiences❦ LE CLEZIO LA QUARANTAINE GALLIMARD 1995

Pages from the Twentieth Year❦ Lamartine Raphael. Pages de la vingtième année. ex sur Whatman

Memories of the French Revolution❦ Révolution Mémoires relatifs à la Révolution Française 182

Unpublished diary fragments❦ AMIEL Philine, fragments inédits du journal intime. Publiés par Bernard Bos

Modern Mexican Painting Overview❦ MEXICAN PAINTING IN OUR TIME 1956

Life of Marie-Louise of Orléans❦ Orléans MARIE-LOUISE D’ORLEANS 1864

Critical examination of acts and works❦ Censeur, ou, Examen des actes et des ouvrages qui tendent à détruire ou à..1815

Erotic lives of elegant women❦ érotique Brantôme Vies des dames galantes

Letters to the Amazon❦ Gourmont Lettres à l’Amazone ; suivi de, Lettres intimes à l’Amazone

Portrait of a Seductress❦ séduction CHALON JEAN PORTRAIT D’UNE SEDUCTRICE

Trade and Satire❦ COMMERCE ET CARICATURE

A classic on time's influence❦ MOUSSET QUAND LE TEMPS TRAVAILLAIT POUR NOUS 1943

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