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

A Rare Banker and Capitalist Agenda❦ agenda des banquiers et des capitalistes 1903

Original edition of a classic novel❦ NEMIROVSKY (Irène). Le Bal / Alfax

Discourses of Chancellor d'Aguesseau❦ Chancelier d’Aguesseau Discours de M. Le Chancelier d’Aguesseau 1846

Reflections on Human Waywardness❦ ABBE DE VILLIERS PENSEES ET REFLEXIONS SUR LES EGAREMENS DES HOMMES DANS LA VOYE

French Houses of the Past❦ Maisons françaises d’autrefois. Vingt-quatre héliogravures d’ DENNERY

Intimate Memories of Pierre Louÿs❦ Louÿs intime “le solitaire du hameau”

Exhibition catalog on Picasso and circus arts❦ Picasso et le Cirque Fondation Pierre Gianadda

Steel engraving of the Imperial Guard❦ Gravure sur acier GARDE IMPERIALE 43 x 34 cm

Baudelaire's Dandyism as Sacred Art❦ BAUDELAIRE RAYNAUD Baudelaire et la Religion du Dandysme

Old Masters Auction Catalog, Petit Collection Amsterdam 1913❦ Catalogue des Tableaux Anciens Formant la Collection Petit 1913

Metric tariffs for timber volume calculation❦ Tarifs d’après le système métrique décimal pour cuber les bois carrés et ..

Corrective and Orthopedic Gymnastics Manual❦ GYMNASTIQUE CORRECTIVE ET DE GYMNASTIQUE ORTHOPEDIQUE

Tapestry history and techniques from 14th to 20th century❦ Tapisserie. Histoire et technique du XIVe au XXe

Concise Dictionary of French Dictionaries❦ LANDAIS PETIT DICTIONNAIRE DES DICTIONNAIRES 1857

Complete theatrical works by Paul HERVIEU❦ HERVIEU PAUL OEUVRES DE PAUL HERVIEU, THEATRE + dédicace

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