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 history of yesterday❦ AMERO Constant Miliza histoire d’hier

Humorous poems and dedication❦ Van Bever Les gaillardises du Sieur de Mont-Gaillard + dédicace

Fantastic tales by Hoffmann❦ HOFFMANN Contes fantastiques de Hoffmann – Gavarni 1861

Oceanic Art and Color Influence❦ Form Colour Inspiration : Oceanic Art from New Britain

Exile and Banishment in Marmande❦ Marmande PROSCRIPTIONS DE MARMANDE (LOT ET GARONNE) 2 DECEMBRE 1851

Legal principles of peace judges❦ Droit traité des justices de paix et des tribunaux civils 1839

Reflections of a Young Man❦ HEURES SERIEUSES D’UN JEUNE HOMME 1840 mini

A Parisian Atlas Overview❦ Paris Le Dessus des Cartes. Un Atlas parisien

Polynesian Idyll of Teina and Marama❦ WALKER Paul TEINA ET MARAMA, IDYLLE POLYNESIENNE

Thirty Popular Melodies of Lower Brittany❦ Bretagne Trente Mélodies Populaires de Basse-Bretagne 1885

Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola❦ Ignace de Loyola Medulla asceseos seu exercitia ignatii de loyola 1836

Visit to Anatole France's Home❦ FRANCE (Anatole) Chez Anatole France. Préface par Roger Marx

Philosophical evenings at the Prussian king's court❦ Allemagne Les Soirées Philosophiques du Cuisinier du Roi de Prusse 1785

Tribute to Édouard – Original Edition with Dedication❦ Cher Edouard. P., Les Amis d’Edouard + dédicace

Swedish Hymnal - Royal Edition 1819❦ Swenska Psalmboken : Af Konungen Gillad Och Stadfustad 1897

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