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

Homer's Iliad - Bitaube Translation, Vol. II❦ Homère Bitaube L’Iliade d’Homere 1764

Complete Theater Works with Bruyer Illustrations❦ MOLIERE Théâtre de Molière dessins de G. Bruyer 1924

Complete Works of Mesdames de la Fayette, Tencin and Fontaine❦ La Fayette Oeuvres Completes de Mesdames de la Fayette de Tencin et de Fontaine

Jesus Christ: Life and Ministry❦ Jésus Christ 1891 Père Didon

Memorable Words and Facts about Napoleon❦ Napoléon paroles et faits mémorables de napoléon Bonaparte 1830

Paul Géraldy's intimate reflections❦ Géraldy Toi et moi. Illustr- Marty 1 des 200 sur crèvecoeur

Village newspaper from the French Revolution❦ révolution La Feuille Villageoise 1793

Legal guidelines on expropriations❦ CODE DES EXPROPRIATIONS, ou INSTRUCTIONS ET FORMULES sur..an 7

Motherly Love Poem❦ Mini L’Amour maternel. Poëme maroquin 80 x 125 mm.

Art of Gilding and Painting❦ Doreur L’Art du Peintre, Doreur et Vernisseur, ouvrage utile 1823

Abbey and Monuments of Beaulieu-lès-Loches❦ Touraine L’abbaye de Beaulieu-lès-Loches 1914

French Painters of the 18th Century❦ DIMIER Les peintres français du XVIIIe siècle 1928

Portraits and Documents of Ninon de Lanclos❦ Ninon de Lanclos. Portraits et documents inédits 1925

Poems and Short Stories Collection❦ La bouteille à la mer poèmes-contes-nouvelles

Original edition of Detaille❦ Detaille 1898

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