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

Guide for Railway Inspection Candidates❦ emploi de commissaire de surveillance administrative des chemins de fer 1898

Lectures for Schools and Families❦ LEVY-ALBERT CAUSERIES 1891

Exhibition on Mallarme and Fashion❦ Velours et guipure : Mallarme et la Dernière Mode

Auction catalog of ancient paintings❦ collection de M. le docteur Paul Muller 1910 DROUOT

Comprehensive Inventory of Provincial Art❦ INVENTAIRE GENERAL DES RICHESSES D’ART DE LA FRANCE PROVINCE

Nigerian Arts: Museum Collection Catalog❦ ARTS DU NIGERIA. Collection du musée des Arts d’Afrique et d’Océanie

Comprehensive guide to wildfowl decoys❦ Bird Great Book of Wildfowl Decoys

Earthenware of Northern France❦ Faïences du Nord. 1, Aire-sur-La Lys, Boulogne-sur-Mer, Bailleul, Calais…

Commercial Court Competence❦ Droit Despréaux Compétence des tribunaux de commerce, dans leurs rapports 1836

Human Oddities Almanac❦ ALMANACH DES BIZARRERIES HUMAINES 1889

Prussian-German Military Uniforms History❦ Preussisch- Deutsche Uniformen von 1640 – 1918

Classic plays with stunning illustrations❦ ROSTAND Les Romanesques. Les deux Pierrots. La derniere nuit de Don Juan

1949 Auto Industry Catalogue❦ Auto-industrie catalogue 1949 G. Daignan AUCH

Museum of Books: Rare Lithographs❦ livre LE MUSEE DU LIVRE belgique 1915 3 lithographies originales

Symposium on Iranian Archaeological Research❦ Iran Proceedings of the IInd annual Symposium on archaeological research in Iran

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