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

Life of a Prominent French Marshal❦ Histoire du Vicomte de Turenne, maréchal-général des Armées du Roi 1736

Catherine de Bourbon's Romance❦ Amours de Catherine de Bourbon, soeur du Roi, et du Comte de Soissons 1882

A pictorial travel guide of Paris❦ Paris en miniature guide pittoresque de voyageur 1858

Engraving of a Hussar❦ EAU-FORTE sur Papier vergé. ” UN HUSSARD “. signée dans la planche P. JAZ

Personalized edition of Paris❦ Paris 1937 Gallimard exemplaire personnalisé

Biographical dictionary of influential figures❦ Who`s Who in France (4e édition). Dictionnaire biographique 1959-1960

Theater Works by P. CORNEILLE❦ CORNEILLE THÈATRE DE P. CORNEILLE 1776

Weekly illustrated press from 1872 to 1874❦ Presse illustrée : journal hebdomadaire du 13 juillet 1872 au 4 avril 1874

Illustrated Review of Letters and Arts❦ Les lettres et les arts. Revue illustrée. Avril 1888

Origins of Power at Arslantepe❦ Arslantepe, la collina dei leoni

Photography journal for amateurs and professionals❦ Photo-Revue. Journal des amateurs et des photographes 1895

Contemporary architecture in dialogue with environment❦ architecte Roland Schweitzer 2014

Memoirs of France's Chief of Security Police under the Second Empire❦ Mémoires de Monsieur Claude – chef de la police de sureté sous le second empire

Complete Works in 7 Volumes❦ COURTELINE oeuvres Bernouard sur Japon/Arches

Insights from Karl Lagerfeld❦ Karl Lagerfeld : Visionen 1995

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