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

Comprehensive Administrative Dictionary❦ administration Dictionnaire général d’administration 1856

Renaissance Precursors❦ MÜNTZ Les précurseurs de la Renaissance.

Montherlant's Personal Reflections❦ MONTHERLANT Carnets. XLII et XLIII

Persian Letters in two volumes❦ MONTESQUIEU (PAR BARCKHAUSEN HENRI) LETTRES PERSANES 1913

A journey in a floral kingdom❦ NEWMAN Isidora DANS LE ROYAUME DES FLEURS ill-Pogany

Lessons from a Wise Father❦ soirées de la chaumière ou les leçons du vieux père

Chronicling Parisian Bourgeoisie over Three Centuries❦ Robida Ces bourgeois de Paris de 1675 à nos jours trois siècles + dédicace

Dutch Army Steel Engraving❦ gravure sur acier, armée hollandaise 47 x 30 cm

Exploration of the blue stockings❦ BARBEY D’AUREVILLY (Jules) les Bas-Bleus 1878

Auction catalog of fine art works❦ Léon Roux Catalogue de Dessins Anciens, Aquarelles et Gouaches 1903

Rare novel on Bedouin women's life❦ Jean Pommerol le crible 1897

The Visionary Art Dealer of Impressionism❦ Paul Durand-Ruel : Le pari de l’impressionnisme

Fascism in the Year VII❦ BEDEL (M.) Fascisme an VII S.P. + dédicace

Laboratory Chief at the Pasteur Institute❦ Docteur Jean Binot. Chef de laboratoire à l’Institut Pasteur

Catalogue of Drawings and Prints❦ CATALOGUE : FIRMIN-DIDOT 1877

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