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

Alphabetical and Chronological Dictionary of Saints❦ Dictionnaire alphabétique et chronologique des saints et saintes 1818

The Charcoal Burner of Valence: Easter Egg, Wealth and Poverty❦ Charbonnier de Valence, l’oeuf de Paques, richesse et pauvreté

Magritte Retrospective 1978-1979❦ MAGRITTE RETROSPECTIVE MAGRITTE 1978

Gulliver's Travels to Lilliput and Brobdingnag❦ SWIFT VOYAGES DE GULLIVER à Lilliput et à Brobdingnag

Autobiographical fragments of an 18th-century nobleman❦ PRINCE DE LIGNE Fragments de l’Histoire de ma Vie 1928

Complete Poetic Works & Selected Letters❦ MALHERBE POESIES DE MALHERBES 1838

Priestly Heroism: Essays on Faith and Sacrifice❦ Prêtre L’héroïsme en soutane 1876

Chronicle of J. de Lalain - Medieval Burgundy❦ Chronique de J. de Lalain / Chastellain / Buchon

Dürer's Journey: Travel Journal to the Netherlands 1520-1521❦ Dürer Pays-Bas JOURNAL DE VOYAGE AUX PAYS BAS Dürer

Society's Shadowy World: A Social Drama❦ DUMAS Le demi-monde. 1855

The Lady with the Ermine: A Breton Tale❦ Katell Le Goarnig – La Dame à l’Hermine. MILORAD Katell Le Goarnig

Original work on love's embroidery❦ CUREL François. L’amour brode 1893

French Humor Academy Dictionary❦ Hémard Dictionnaire de l’Académie de l’humour français 1934

Bibliophilia Insights❦ bibliophilie FORMES ET COULEURS – N°4 – 1943

A tribute to Paul Valéry❦ Paul Valéry LE TOMBEAU DE PAUL VALERY Envoi

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