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

Early educational reflections❦ Maria Edgeworth EARLY LESSONS 1836

Illustrated story of Microbe❦ MICROBE LE PETIT BRETON

A tale of island life❦ DORSENNE Jean La femme des îles 1929

Biography of Madame de BoisDavid❦ Boisdavid MADAME DE BOISDAVID 1619-1660

Beautiful handwritten letter❦ Porto Riche belle lettre autographe manuscrite

Personal memories from Hugo❦ HUGO SOUVENIRS PERSONNELS 1848-1851 SP

Comprehensive French Geography with Administrative & Historical Data❦ Géographie MATAIGNE NOUVELLE GEOGRAPHIE DE LA FRANCE 1891

Thoughts of a Norman, 1906-1914❦ ALAIN Propos d’un normand 1906-1914 SP

A classic croquet tale❦ WELLS H.G. LE JOUEUR DE CROQUET NRF S.P.

Celebrating Labor Heroes❦ Héros du travail Tissandier

Municipal Commission Reports on Old Paris❦ PARIS COMMISSION MUNICIPALE DU VIEUX PARIS,1927

Comprehensive List of Noble Families❦ ANF table générale des familles représentées à l’ANF de 1933 à 1996 noblesse

History and Memoirs of SÉGUR❦ SÉGUR Histoire et Mémoires, 1873

Original love stories from 1895❦ DES RIEUX (Lionel). Les Amours de Lyristès 1895

Autographed letter from Pierre Mendes France❦ PIERRE MENDES FRANCE lettre autographe manuscrite & signée

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