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

Artist's Self-Portrait❦ Autoportrait peintre et son miroir. Préface de Gérard Mourgue

Exhibition catalogue from Musée Guimet❦ masque Musée Guimet, décembre 1959-mai 1960

Illustrated work on tigers❦ TIGRE Rousselet La Peau du Tigre Tofani

Correspondence with the Belgian Queen❦ Reine de Belgique secrétariat de la reine Lettre

Decennial Index of Legal Bulletins❦ Table Décennale du Bulletin des Lois 1834-1844

Weapons and Armor Overview❦ ARMES ET LES ARMURES 1868

1150 Years of Paris Mint History❦ MONNAIE DE PARIS 1150 ans d’histoire

Last adventures of Tartarin❦ DAUDET Port-Tarascon. Dernières aventures de l’illustre Tartarin 1930

A glimpse into Cher's castles❦ Les chateaux du Cher

Court and City Almanac of 1829❦ Almanach de la cour, de la ville et des départemens. Pour l’année 1829

Florian's Theatre Plays, 1820❦ FLORIAN THEATRE DE FLORIAN 1820

Rare 1886 novel by Hayem❦ Hayem don Juan d’armana Lemerre 1886

Correspondence between Du Bos and Gide❦ GIDE André & DU BOS Charles Lettres de Charles du Bos et réponses de André Gide

Watercolor depicting Turkish cavalry and infantry❦ Turquie cavalerie infanterie, aquarellé

Brilliant traits of French poets❦ Ornemens de la mémoire, ou Les traits brillans des poëtes français 1829

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