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

Essays on Literary Reflections❦ SAINTE-BEUVE C.A. CINQ LUNDIS AGENAIS 1941

History of Paris City Hall until 1871❦ PARIS Hotel de ville de Paris depuis les origines jusqu’en 1871

Fifty-two Faces of Thérèse Le Prat❦ LE PRAT (Thérèse). STERN (Philippe). En votre gravité Visages

A tale of sisterly love❦ MALOT (Hector). La petite sœur

Adventures of a budding naturalist❦ Aventures d’un jeune naturaliste HETZEL

Themes and Decor Dictionary Overview❦ DICTIONNAIRE DES THEMES ET DECORS. 3 VOLUMES

Essays by French Thinkers❦ Plutarque LE PLUTARQUE FRANCAIS

Exploring the World of Electricity❦ Electricité A travers l’Électricité 1903

Psychology in Art❦ SULLY PRUDHOMME Oeuvres 1883 expressions dans les beaux-arts

Gounod's Faust Opera Overview❦ Gounod FAUST, OPERA IN FIVE ACTS, by GOUNOD, MUSIC, ITALIAN & ENGLISH WORDS

Album commemorating Russian imperial visit❦ Tsar en France album de la dépêche 1896

Poetry collection by Thomas Gray❦ THE POETICAL WORKS OF THOMAS GRAY 1840

Elegant train illustration❦ Train WAGON 50,5 x 32,5 cm

Comical history of Francion❦ SOREL Charles Histoire comique de Francion

Geographical divisions of French regions❦ Guienne, le Languedoc et la Provence divisés en département 1852

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