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 Saint Louis of Gonzaga❦ Vie de saint Louis de Gonzague de la compagnie de Jésus 1727

Countess Berthe's Porridge❦ Dumas La bouillie de la comtesse Berthe. Illustré par Bertall. Hetzel

Beautiful signed letters from Robert Debré❦ Robert Debré 2 lettres

Comprehensive Commerce Dictionary❦ commerce Dictionnaire du commerce et de l’industrie 1837

On the rules of aleatory contracts❦ TRAITES DES CONTRATS ALEATOIRES 1775

1900 World Exposition Overview❦ Madagascar exposition universelle de 1900 colonies et pays de protectorats

Stendhal's Masterpiece in Two Volumes❦ STENDHAL. La Chartreuse de Parme/ vergé d’Arches

Historical Essay on Ganges❦ GANGES Hérault Aganticum Essai Historique Préfacé, écrit et orné de gravures…

War-themed watercolor collection❦ La passion de notre Frère le Poilu. Aquarelles de Grand’Aigle.

Dance Comparison Between Jean and Pierre❦ érotique Jean danse mieux que Pierre, Pierre danse mieux que Jean 1719

Watercolor Poetry and Dedications❦ Aquarelle poésies dédicaces

The Testament of Jesus Christ❦ TESTAMENT de notre Seigneur JESUS-CHRIST.1860 3 vol Techener

Historical Stories from 1774❦ D’ARNAUD Nouvelles historiques 1774

Grammar manual with elegant principles❦ manuel des grammairiens divisé en trois parties 1717

Biography of Charles Dickens❦ Dickens THE LIFE OF CHARLES DICKENS 1903

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