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

Signed letter by Henry Bataille❦ Henry Bataille belle lettre autographe signée

Notre-Dame d'Evreux overview❦ EVREUX Notre-Dame d’Evreux 1939

Signed dedication to a poet❦ Bernstein Mélo dédicacé

Beautiful Autograph Card and Letter❦ Lady Deterling carte & lettre autographe manuscrite

Illuminated Manuscripts of Rouen❦ MANUSCRITS Manuscrits à Peintures de l’Ecole de Rouen. Livres d’heures normands

Collection from Le Figaro, 1875❦ FIGARO L’ALBUM DU FIGARO 1875

Truth about Russia - Political exile testimony❦ RUSSIE DOLGOROUKOW (Prince Pierre). La Vérité sur la Russie 1860

Printing Trades Directory 1984❦ ANNUAIRE DESECHALIERS 1984 bureau. La photogravure. Les papiers. L’imprimerie…

Old Paris: Festivals, Games and Spectacles❦ Paris FOURNEL Le Vieux Paris. Fêtes, Jeux et Spectacles 1887

Royal painter turned revolutionary artist❦ Jean-Bernard Restout (1732-1796), peintre du roi et révolutionnaire

Great Captains in Their Youth❦ HINZELIN QUAND NOS GRANDS CAPITAINES ETAIENT PETITS Job

Rural novels by George Sand❦ SAND GEORGES ROMANS CHAMPETRES HACHETTE ET CIE. 1860 Johannot

Natural history lessons on animal behavior and industry❦ Leçons d’histoire naturelle sur les moeurs et sur l’industrie des animaux 1799

Essay on Romantic Literature❦ Essai sur la littérature romantique 1825

History of French Libraries❦ Bib. Histoire des Bibliothèques Françaises

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