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

Surrealism's Political Stance❦ BRETON (André) Position politique du surréalisme

Finger Painting: Rainer and Soutter❦ Arnulf Rainer – Die Finger malen +

A Normandy Cadet in the 17th Century❦ CADET DE NORMANDIE au XVII SIÈCLE. Illustrations Adrien MARIE

Hunting Journal with Woodcut Illustrations, 1879❦ Chasse illustrée – Journal des chasseurs et de la vie à la campagne 1879

A lady's guide to conduct in all life's circumstances❦ Bibliotheque des dames, contenant des règles générales 1724

Autographed Letter by Military Painter DETAILLE❦ Edouard DETAILLE lettre autographe signée

Chronicles of the Pasquier Family - 10 volumes❦ DUHAMEL Chroniques des Pasquier illustré par B. Mann

Travels through the Argentine Pampas, 1883❦ Argentine Voyages dans les pampas de la République Argentine 1883

Poetry collection: Classic French verse anthology❦ Trésor du Parnasse, 1762

Legal Medicine and Hygiene Reference❦ Traité de Médecine Légale et d’Hygiène, ou de Police 1813

Marriage and The Necklace❦ Hayem Le mariage + Le collier

Colonial Exhibition in India❦ Inde Exposition Coloniale Pondichéry 1931

Illustrated tale of love and desire❦ PREVOST Histoire de Manon Lescaut illustré par Leloir

Collection of Ingenious Thoughts❦ SEVIGNE Sevigniana ou recueil de pensées ingénieuses, d’ anecdotes…1756

The Lord Chelsea Cycle Overview❦ HERMANT Abel Le cycle de Lord Chelsea NRF EO

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