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

Best book for gifts❦ ALMANACH LE MEILLEUR LIVRE, ou LES MEILLEURES ETRENNES QUE L’ON PUISSE 1755

A comedic exploration of false households❦ faux ménages. Comédie en quatre actes en vers 1869 EO

Personal memories of Comte de Paris❦ Comte de Paris, 1895 souvenirs personnels HAUSSONVILLE

Guide for French Train Stations❦ NOMENCLATURE DES GARES FRANCAISES A L’USAGE DES AGENTS CHARGES DU CLASSEMENT DES

Posthumous Works by Rousseau❦ ROUSSEAU Oeuvres Posthumes 1783

Prophetic Caricatures of War❦ ROBIDA BERALDI UN CARICATURISTE PROPHETE, La Guerre telle qu’elle est prévue

Autograph letter from Jules Cambon❦ Jules Cambon lettre autographe

Chronicle of the July Monarchy❦ DINO (Duchesse de) Chronique de 1831 à 1835 publiée avec des annotations 1909

Marshal Joffre Autographed Postcard❦ Maréchal JOFFRE Belle carte autographe manuscrite

Human Spirit's Whimsical Variations❦ compère mathieu ou les bigarrures de l’esprit humain – 1776

Paris, The Capital City❦ PARIS Notre capitale Paris 1888

Medieval & Renaissance Art Objects Auction Catalog❦ Catalogue des Objets d’Art et de Haute Curiosite du Moyen Age, KANN

Signed typewritten letter❦ Gaston GALLIMARD lettre tapuscrite signée

Complete Works of VIGNY❦ VIGNY Théâtre complet 1858

Victor Hugo's Play on Civil Struggles❦ HUGO (Victor) Cromwell. Paris, Eugène Renduel, 1836

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