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

Selected Letters from a Notable Marquise❦ Sévigné Lettres choisies de Mme 1826

Posters from World War I❦ Guerre Affiches 14 – 18

Signed letter by Leprince Ringuet❦ Leprince Ringuet lettre signée

Fables in quatrains by Damain❦ Fables express en quatrains Damain

Thiers' Influence in Academia❦ OLLIVIER Thiers à l’académie et dans l’histoire 1879

Clerical Statistics and Analysis❦ ECCLESIASTIQUES DE FRANCE, leur nombre, celuy des Religieux et des Religieuses..

Devotional Hymns in Twelve Books, 1827❦ CANTIQUES DE L’AME DEVOTE DIVISES EN DOUZE LIVRES 1827

Signed letter from Edouard Herriot❦ Edouard Herriot lettre tapuscrite signée

The Battle - Definitive Edition❦ FARRERE (Claude). La Bataille. Édition définitive

George SAND: Portrait of an Illustrious Woman❦ George SAND femmes illustres 1911

Honor Book of Hundred French Cities with Engraved Portraits❦ Livre d’honneur des cent villes de France 1839, portraits gravés

Meissonier: Three Centuries of History❦ Meissonier, trois siècles d’histoire

Moral tales for children❦ enfantina ***LE MONDE DES ENFANTS. CONTES MORAUX 1860

History of French Society during the Directory❦ GONCOURT EDMOND & JULES HISTOIRE DE LA SOCIETE FRANCAISE PENDANT LE DIRECTOIRE

Light-hearted pastoral tale❦ MARCEAU Félicien : Bergère légère

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