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

Romanesque Architecture Overview❦ ARCHITECTURE ROMANE (les grandes époques de l’art français).

Intimate reflections from 1878-1881❦ LOTI Pierre. Journal intime 1878-1881 EO

February 1848 Revolution: A Historical Account❦ PELLETAN Eugène Histoire des trois journées de février 1848

Love as a Suffering Emotion❦ AMOUR CETTE DOULEUR ill- de Raymond

Letter collection on provincial life❦ Pascal B. Les provinciales, ou lettres de Louis de Montalte 1820

Guide for Railway Inspection Candidates❦ emploi de commissaire de surveillance administrative des chemins de fer 1898

Lectures for Schools and Families❦ LEVY-ALBERT CAUSERIES 1891

Exhibition on Mallarme and Fashion❦ Velours et guipure : Mallarme et la Dernière Mode

Auction catalog of ancient paintings❦ collection de M. le docteur Paul Muller 1910 DROUOT

Comprehensive Inventory of Provincial Art❦ INVENTAIRE GENERAL DES RICHESSES D’ART DE LA FRANCE PROVINCE

Nigerian Arts: Museum Collection Catalog❦ ARTS DU NIGERIA. Collection du musée des Arts d’Afrique et d’Océanie

Comprehensive guide to wildfowl decoys❦ Bird Great Book of Wildfowl Decoys

Earthenware of Northern France❦ Faïences du Nord. 1, Aire-sur-La Lys, Boulogne-sur-Mer, Bailleul, Calais…

Commercial Court Competence❦ Droit Despréaux Compétence des tribunaux de commerce, dans leurs rapports 1836

Human Oddities Almanac❦ ALMANACH DES BIZARRERIES HUMAINES 1889

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

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