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

Artistic illustrations by Japhet❦ MUSE GAILLARDE. Illustrations de JAPHET 1905

Music dictionary by Rousseau❦ ROUSSEAU Jean-Jacques.- Dictionnaire de Musique 1817

History of Legal Representatives❦ Histoire des Procureurs et des Avoués 1483-1816

Exploration of Compiègne Forest❦ Compiègne En forêt de Compiègne et de Laigue. Connaissance de la forêt

Court Almanac of 1823❦ Almanach de la cour 1823

Selected works with Baudelaire's notice❦ LE VAVASSEUR Oeuvres choisies notice de Baudelaire

My Prisons - Political imprisonment and moral duties❦ Pellico Mes prisons. Suivies du discours sur les devoirs des hommes EO 1843

Estate auction catalog: paintings, miniatures, drawings❦ Nachlaß Dr. Max Strauss 1926 Wien

The Forty-Five: Historical Adventure Novel❦ DUMAS Alexandre LES QUARANTE CINQ

Complete Poetic Works with Portrait❦ MALHERBE POÉSIES DE MALHERBE 1822

Napoleon and the Empire: Comprehensive Historical Study❦ Napoléon et l’Empire. Hachette1968

French Religious Architecture from Merovingian to Renaissance❦ MANUEL D’ARCHÉOLOGIE RELIGIEUSE FRANÇAISE 1919

Unpublished correspondence of Dumouriez's aide-de-camp❦ Fernig Correspondance inédite aide de camp du Gal Dumouriez 1873

Vers et Prose 1913, October-December❦ Vers et Prose 1913, octobre, novembre, décembre

Sufferings of Our Lord Jesus Christ❦ JESUS PERE THOMAS DE, Trad. par LE PERE ALLEAUME SOUFFRANCES DE NOTRE SEIGNEUR

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