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

Agricultural calendar for gardeners❦ JARDIN bon jardinier. Almanach agricole pour l’année 1828

Superb morocco binding for first communion❦ Curmer première communion reliure maroquin

Collected Works of Montesquieu❦ MONTESQUIEU, Par DESTUTT DE TRACY, VILLEMAIN OEUVRES DE MONTESQUIEU 1827

Illustrated magazine on fine arts❦ The Sudio An Illustrated Magazine of Fine and Applied Art ,Vol.16. 1899

Ludovic Halévy's Journals Volume I & II❦ HALÉVY (Ludovic). Carnets, publiés avec une introduction et des notes…

Exhibition catalog on avant-gardes at war❦ 1914 The avant-gardes en guerre Catalogue d’exposition

Critical insights from the 1831 salon❦ salon ÉBAUCHES CRITIQUES SALON DE 1831

Overview of Louvre Paintings 1878❦ Louvre Notice Des Tableaux Exposés Dans Les Galeries Du Musée National 1878

Life of a Cardinal: A Biography❦ VIE DU CARDINAL DE CHEVERUS, ARCHEVEQUE DE BORDEAUX 1842

Charming edition with etchings❦ CONSTANT Quantin, 1878, ADOLPHE eaux-fortes de Fr. Régamey

Collection of Joyful Songs❦ TRESOR DES CHANSONS JOYEUSES ET POPULAIRES

Gulliver's Travels in a fine edition❦ SWIFT Voyages de Gulliver Poirson

Apollinaire’s Love and Art❦ APOLLINAIRE (Guillaume). Ombre de Mon Amour/Picasso

National Tobacco Growers' Congress Report❦ TABAC Compte-Rendu Du Premier Congres National Des Planteurs de Tabac 1908

Youth of a Christian in the 19th Century❦ OZANAM. Un jeune chrétien au XIXème siècle 1885 / Japon

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