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

Strength and Fitness Manual for Everyone❦ Soyons forts ! Manuel de culture physique pour hommes, dames 1930

Montesquieu's Thoughts on Roman Greatness❦ Montesquieu Grandeur des romains 1827

Picturesque history of England❦ Angleterre Histoire pittoresque dAngleterre depuis les temps 1835

Overview of Italian Renaissance culture❦ Renaissance Burckhardt La Civilisation de la Renaissance en Italie 1958

Chagall's Works on Display in Switzerland❦ Chagall entre ciel et terre Fondation Gianadda

Critical edition of Epithalames and Odes❦ Epithalames (1528/1531) – Les Odes de 1530

French Art of Living: A Luxury Heritage❦ Comtesse de Paris Haut de Gamme,L’Art de vivre à la française

Teaching Freedom: The Abbé Combalot Trial (1844)❦ Liberté d’enseignement. Procès de M. l’abbé Combalot 1844

Marshal Joffre death announcement 1931❦ Maréchal JOFFRE faire part de décès 1931

A Comedy of Youthful Romance and Verse❦ ROSTAND EDMOND LES ROMANESQUES 1898

A century of history in Mantes❦ Mantes et Mantes la ville de 1789 à nos jours

Exploration at the edge of Europe and Asia❦ AUX CONFINS DE L’EUROPE ET DE L’ASIE 1913

Tragedy of Seneca's Death❦ TRISTAN La mort de Sénèque Tragédie Edition critique publiée par Jacques Madelei

Maritime Engineering Bicentenary 1965❦ Bi-Centenaire du Génie Maritime 1965

Monaco Coinage and Roman Bronze Collection❦ repertoire des monnaies monégasques par Jean de MEY + monnaies diverses

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