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

The Antonines: A Historical Exploration❦ Antonins Rome Judée 1863.

The evolution of slavery across races❦ évolution de l’esclavage dans les diverses races humaines 1897

Cultural diversity in European workplaces❦ Office code : diversités culturelles et espaces de travail en Europe

Rural tales and ballads❦ Bloomfield. The farmer’s boy : a rural tales 1836

Parisian high society in the 18th century❦ PARIS Ségur Le Royaume de la rue Saint-Honoré

Parisian Bourgeois Life❦ BOURGEOIS DE PARIS de BAST 1841 2 volumes

Antique amusements from 1864❦ Mosaïque – Amusettes vieilles et nouvelles 1864

Dramatic repertoire overview❦ répertoire du gymnase dramatique, monomanie, baron de Trenck, la somnanbule

The Bloody Pacifist❦ JOLINON Joseph Le Pacifiste Sanguinaire+dédicace

Leather-nosed gentleman's tale❦ LA VARENDE (Jean de). Nez de cuir. Gentilhomme d’amour / vergé

Fire Kiss in Artful Binding❦ Cigare Baiser de feu dessin & bel envoi de l’auteur

Virgil's Bucolics with Author's Dedication❦ Virgile MAGALLON XAVIER LES BUCOLIQUES DE VIRGILE + dédicace

An overview of Picasso's work❦ Picasso: A Retrospective New York 1980

Historical Overview of Paris❦ Paris – Album Historique et Monumental

Decline of Freedom, signed edition❦ HALEVY Daniel Décadence de la liberté dédicacé

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