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

Contemporary Theatre Insights❦ BARBEY D’ AUREVILLY . Jules Le THEATRE Contemporain 1908

Practical Lighting Solutions for Interiors❦ Lumière. Toutes les solutions pratiques pour éclairer votre intérieur

Costume Museum Exhibition Guide❦ MODE The Museum of Costume Assembly Rooms Bath Bath

Volcanic Eruptions and Earthquakes: Krakatoa, Martinique, and Beyond❦ FLAMMARION M. CAMILLE LES ERUPTIONS VOLCANIQUES ET LES TREMBLEMENTS DE TERRE…

A look at Rachel's tragic roles❦ Rachel et la tragédie 1859

Original edition of a rare literary work❦ curiosa BOSSCHÈRE Jean de Satan l’obscur

Stendhal's Compact Dictionary❦ Stendhal Petit Dictionnaire Stendhalien

Universal Library of Novels Overview❦ Bibliothèque universelle des romans ouvrage périodique dans lequel on donne 1782

Thoughts on Riquet and Friends❦ FRANCE Crainquebille. Putois, Riquet et les pensées de Riquet BIBLIOLATRE

Devotional Visits to the Sacrament❦ Mini Visites au Saint Sacrement et à la Sainte Vierge 1879, 66 x 100 mm.

Military entertainment engraving❦ gravure sur acier, divertissement militaire 44 x 27 cm

Sixth volume of French Minerva❦ Minerve française. Tome sixième. 1819

Poetic works of François de Maynard❦ MAYNARD François de Oeuvres poétiques de François de Maynard

Legal Treatise on Donations❦ donations Pothier Oeuvres posthumes de M. Pothier 1778

Germany under Napoleon I.❦ Allemagne RAMBAUD ALLEMAGNE SOUS NAPOLEON 1er 1804 – 1811

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