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

History of the Mercers Corporation of Paris❦ Corporation des marchands merciers grossiers jouailliers VIDAL Histoire de la

Banned Books Catalog: French Censorship 1814-1827❦ Catalogue des ouvrages condamnés depuis 1814 jusqu’a ce jour

Vintage Map of Seine-Maritime❦ Seine-Maritime De la porte de Barfleur au Cap de La Hève

Survey of Surrealist Painting in Europe❦ MIRO, MAGRITTE, ARP, MAN RAY, TANGUY, ERNST Peinture Surréaliste en Europe

Award-winning literary work with illustrations❦ Somerset Maugham L’Archipel aux Sirènes

Collection of Various Poems❦ CERCEAU. Recueil de poësies diverses 1726

Intimate Letters and Correspondence❦ DELACROIX (Eugène). Lettres intimes. Correspondance inédite SP

Art Heritage Inventory - Civil Monuments❦ patrimoine INVENTAIRE GENERAL DES RICHESSES D’ART – PROVINCE – monuments civils

Memoirs and Historical Accounts❦ Mémoires de BENVENUTO CELLINI + va-nu-pieds par L. Cladel

Federal representative government in Argentina❦ Argentine Le gouvernement représentatif fédéral dans la République Argentine

Exploration of human passions❦ Caractère des passions, au physique et au moral 1807

Guide to the Tour de France❦ 1911 LE TOUR DE FRANCE D’OCTAVE BEAUCHAMP

Bibliographic dictionary of the 15th century❦ Dictionnaire bibliographique choisi du quinzième siècle 1805

Royal Guard Lancers❦ Lanciers de la garde royale 33 x 38 cm

Overview of Romanticism❦ GAUTIER HISTOIRE DU ROMANTISME 1874

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