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

Jacques Lemercier: Royal Architect and Engineer❦ Jacques Lemercier architecte et ingénieur du Roi

Portable medical dictionary with anatomy, surgery, pharmacy❦ Dictionnaire portatif de médecine d’anatomie, de chirurgie, de pharmacie..1771

Civil Wars of Western France 1792-1815❦ Vendée Histoire de la Guerre de Vendée et des Chouans 1820

Romanesque heritage of Castile❦ Castille Romane Zodiaque 1966

Jewish life in Metz during the ancien régime❦ METZ la condition des juifs de Metz sous l’ancien régime 1903

Centenary tribute to Alphonse Allais with texts by Breton and Queneau❦ ALLAIS, Alphonse JEANSON, Breton, QUENEAU … CENTENAIRE

Georgian Beauty: A Legendary Tale❦ Géorgie La beauté, Légende géorgienne 1900

Oceanic Art comprehensive illustrated survey❦ OCEANIE Art Océanien, Oceanic Art, Ozeanische Kunst

Napoleon's Victorious Years Against Russia (1805-1807)❦ russie NAPOLEON ET LA RUSSIE. LES ANNEES VICTORIEUSES (1805-1807)

Portrait of a Stranger with Author's Inscription❦ SARRAUTE (Nathalie). Portrait d’un inconnu + dédicace

Complete Works with Historical Commentary❦ BOILEAU-DESPREAUX Oeuvres complètes. Avec le commentaire historique 1829

Historical Eulogy of Pope Benedict XIV❦ CARACCIOLI Eloge historique de Benoist XIV

Complete Works of P.J. Béranger❦ BERANGER Oeuvres complètes de P.J. Béranger 1847

War Philosophy and Miscellaneous Essays❦ CHAMBRAY Philosophie de la Guerre. Suivie de Mélanges 1829

Surgical Reports Practice and Formulas❦ Art de faire les raports en chirurgie où l’on enseigne la pratique..1730

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