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

Marriage Hall in Menton❦ COCTEAU La salle des mariages. Hôtel de ville de Menton

Complete Poems & Stories from Spain and Italy❦ Musset Poésies complètes. Contes d’Espagne et d’Italie 1840 EO

Autographed letter from Gabriel de Lautrec❦ Gabriel de LAUTREC lettre autographe manuscrite & signée

Illustrated Works by Beranger❦ Grandville Beranger. Nouvelle édition illustrée par Grandville 1839

Saint Peter's Keys with Dedication❦ PEYREFITTE Roger Les clés de Saint-Pierre + dédicace

A collection of verses by Ausone❦ Ausone. Traduit par Edouard Ducoté Poèmes divers

Impact of the July 1830 events❦ Causes et conséquences des événements du mois juillet 1830

Social Question Overview❦ Proudhon, Pierre-Joseph: Résumé de la question sociale, banque d échange 1849

Golden Bird: Fine Japanese Paper Edition❦ Tharaud L’oiseau d’or exemplaire sur papier Japon

Beautiful signed letter❦ Alfred Berl lettre autographe manuscrite

Collection of historical French songs❦ Recueil de chants historiques français depuis le XII° jusqu’au XVIII° sie..

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

Political Contradictions and Constitutional Theory❦ Proudhon Contradictions politiques – théorie du mouvement constitutionnel 1870

Art and influence of the Nabis movement❦ Nabis arts décoratifs, La sculpture, Les arts graphiques, Les nabis et le théâtr

Natural history tales with illustrations❦ Saintine La Mère Cigogne et ses trois filles illustré Foulquier, faguet…

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