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

Illustrated edition of a classic❦ Kipling Rudyard STALKY & CIE illustré par Collot

Red Youth of Inna❦ ISWOLSKY HELENE, KACHINA ANNA LA JEUNESSE ROUGE D’INNA + dédicace à Henri Beraud

Illustrated account of Algeria and Tunisia❦ Algérie et Tunisie Reclus 1909

Phaedrus' Fables Collection❦ Fables de Phèdre 1838

Official agriculture publication❦ céréales office national interprofessionnel des céréales BRONZE

Selected works of Bernard and Bertin❦ Mini Bernanrd & Bertin Oeuvres choisies 1826

Literary exploration of a personal space❦ MAISTRE Voyage autour de ma chambre 1872

Letters to Citizen Rolland❦ PROUDHON P.-J. Lettres au citoyen Rolland (5 octobre 1858-29 juillet 1862)

Modern Diplomatic Language Analysis❦ français Langue diplomatique moderne Etude critique.. 1924

Illustrated album of Gérard de Nerval❦ NERVAL Gérard de pléiade Gallimard NRF

Illustrated travel through Florence❦ Florence Virginia W. The Lily of Arno. Or, Florence Past and Present. Illustrate

Murals of Touen Houang❦ La peinture murale de Touen Houang

Rare edition of Stendhal's work❦ STENDHAL L’ABBESSE DE CASTRO 1946

A Being in Motion. Houses; Poetry with Dedication❦ ROMAINS Jules Un être en marche. Maisons; poésie + dédicace

Charles the Bold - Historical Biography❦ Charles Le Téméraire 1970

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