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

Autographed postcard signed by Arman de Caillavet❦ Arman de Caillavet carte postale autographe manuscrite & signée

The World as Will and Representation❦ SCHOPENHAUER Le MONDE comme Volonté et comme Représentation

Oratorical Examination of Virgil's Eclogues❦ Virgile Examen oratoire des églogues de Virgile.. 1804

Kipling's Works in Original Edition❦ KIPLING DU CRAN ! sur vergé

Beautiful signed letter❦ Hanotaux lettre autographe manuscrite

Meditations by Père Louis Du Pont❦ méditation Nouvel abrégé des méditations du père Louis Du Pont 1724

History of the Old Guard Legion❦ Légion Cart Tanneur La vieille garde

Exhibition of Degas' works❦ Degas JAMOT PAUL DEGAS. GAZETTE DES BEAUX ARTS 1924

New methods for reading and writing❦ Radu Nouvelles méthodes. Lecture écriture calcul grammaire cosmographie..1879

Letter from a notable French poet❦ André Rivoire lettre à Fernand Gregh 1906

Natural and Human Wonders❦ merveilles du monde, ou les plus beaux ouvrages de la nature & des hommes 1820

Compact edition of common prayer❦ Common prayer 50 x 52 mm. MINI

Typed and signed letter❦ JEAN PAULHAN lettre tapuscrite & signée GALLIMARD

Exploring Ancient Syrian Domestic Spaces❦ Maisons dans la Syrie Antique du IIIe millénaire aux débuts de l’Islam

A Tale of Estevanille Gonzales❦ LESAGE – HISTOIRE D’ESTEVANILLE GONZALES 1821

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