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

Autographed Letter from Catulle Mendès to Jane❦ Catulle Mendès Jane lettre autographe signée

Universal pictorial review of history, travel, literature and sciences❦ Nouvelle Mosaïque. Revue Universelle, Pittoresque et Anecdotique 1845

Three political discourses by Anatole France❦ A. France La societé historique d’Auteuil et de Passy, inauguration de la sta..

Medieval and Renaissance customs, manners, and dress❦ Moeurs, usages et costumes au Moyen Age et à l’époque de la Renaissance 1878

Cuirassier's Account of the 1812 Russian Campaign❦ Napoléon Lettre d’un capitaine de cuirassiers sur la Campagne de Russie &

Autographed letter by Anne-Jules de Noailles❦ Anne-Jules de Noailles belle lettre autographe manuscrite

Rare Collection of Orations❦ TIMON LIVRE DES ORATEURS 1844

Illustrated exploration of tropical birds❦ cartonnage BIART LA VALLEE DES COLIBRIS 1896

Signed handwritten letter by Bernstein❦ Bernstein lettre manuscrite autographe signée

Molière's Life and Family Illustrated❦ Molière sa femme et sa fille RICHEMENT ORNE HOUSSAYE (Arsène)

Essays on human races❦ AUDIBERTI Jacques Race des hommes + dédicace

Futurist Paintings and Documents 1915-1919❦ FUTURISTI dipinti e documenti futuristi dal 1915 al 1919

Rare map of Brest's coastal area❦ Brest Carte 62,5 x 90 cm carte particulière des environs du port de Brest 1669

The Wandering Beast illustrated work❦ ROUQUETTE Louis-Frederic La Bête errante ill- par Georges Tcherkessoff

Complete Parish Prayer Book in Latin-French❦ PAROISSIEN COMPLET, LATIN-FRANCAIS 1806

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