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

Rare edition of 16th-century poem❦ VAUQUELIN DE LA FRESNAYE (Jean). Les Foresteries de Jean Vauquelin sieur 1869

Revolt in India 1858❦ INDE Insurrection de l’Inde 1858

Art of sketching and painting❦ dessin fusain, l’art de prendre un croquis, l’art de peindre les fleurs

Bibliophile's catalogue of a rare collection❦ Catalogue des livres composant la bibliothèque de feu M. A. J. 1849

Appendix on the Genius of Christianity❦ CHATEAUBRIAND François-Auguste appendice du Génie du Christianisme 1802

Napoleon's Childhood in Alsace❦ Napoléon UN ENFANT DE L’ALSACE. KLÉBER. Dessins par Nézière

Exploration of angling in British art❦ Angling in British art through five centuries

Collection of Anonymous Works❦ Nouveau recueil d’ouvrages anonymes et pseudonymes. 1834

Poetic reflections by Banville❦ Banville Odes Funambulesques 1859

Travel account in North America❦ Amérique Cinq mois chez les Français d’Amérique. Voyage au Canada 1879

Philosophical reflection on the soul❦ CARACCIOLI La Grandeur d’Ame 1762

Political transformations in Europe❦ Europe ANCILLON Tableau des Révolutions du Système politique de l’Europe 1803

Collections of History and Art Discussions❦ Causeries d’un curieux. Variétés d’histoire et d’art tir,FEUILLET DE CONCHES..

Verdun: Historical Account with Illustrated Documentation❦ Verdun + envoi de l’auteur BOUCHOR J.-F. et CAPITAINE DELVERT

Rare original edition on the Borgia family❦ BORGIA Histoire du Pape ALEXANDRE VI et de César BORGIA. 1830

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

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