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

Reflections from 1958-1964❦ MONTHERLANT (Henry de) Va jouer avec cette poussière (Carnets 1958-1964) S.P.

Military Geography Overview of Europe❦ bassin principaux bassins de l’Europe 1886 précis de géographie militaire

Essence of France through its Poets❦ MAUGIS L’Ame de la France à travers ses grands poètes. Sonnets + dédicace

Paul's Arlequin: New French Ballads❦ FORT PAUL L’ARLEQUIN DE PLOMB – NOUVELLES BALLADES FRANCAISES + dédicace

Mission of Philbert as explored in Bardeur-Carbansane❦ Bardeur-Carbansane La mission de Philbert 1889

A woman's journal reflecting on life❦ FEMME Mathilde Bourdon le matin et le soir journal d’une femme de cinquante ans

A Historical Overview of King Henry IV❦ HENRI LE GRAND 1812

Charles Maurras and the French Academy❦ BORDEAUX, Henry. Charles Maurras et l’Académie Française + dédicace

Campaign diary from the Transvaal War❦ VILLEBOIS-MAREUIL (Georges de). Carnet de campagne au Transvaal

Abridged Dictionary of Fable and Poetic History❦ Chompré Dictionnaire Abrégé de la fable 1833

Turkish-French geographic vocabulary and place names❦ Vocabulaire Turk-Français des principaux termes de géographie 1884

Three Classic Works on Bullfighting❦ Taureau Passion Tauromachique

General de Sonis biography from papers and correspondence❦ Général de Sonis d’après ses papiers et sa correspondance 1914

Picasso's Revolutionary Masterpiece - Critical Study❦ PICASSO Les demoiselles d’Avignon 3 – Volume 1 – Musée Picasso

The Abbé Tigrane - 19th Century Novel❦ abbé TIGRANE 1880

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