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

Response to Arnauld's Third Letter❦ Réponse du Pere Malebranche, à la Troisième Lettre de M. Arnauld 1742

Napoleon's 1812 Campaign in Russia❦ Russie SAINT-HILAIRE, Émile Marco de Napoléon en Russie. La campagne de 1812

Insight into Urban and Rural Life❦ THARAUD LOBEL-RICHE La ville et les champs 1870-1871 dédicacé

Autographed letters of a French painter❦ Olivier Merson 3 belles lettres autographes manuscrites & signées

Governors and Censors of the Bank of France❦ REGENTS ET CENSEURS DE LA BANQUE DE FRANCE NOMMES SOUS LE CONSULAT ET L’EMPIRE

Illustrated travel adventures❦ IVOI METIVET Jean Fanfare

Fantastic tales by the author❦ Hoffmann Contes fantastiques 1840

Gardening guide from 1806❦ Jardin Le bon jardinier 1806

The Hunt for the Pink Fawn - Author's signed copy❦ Guéguen La Chasse du Faon rose + dédicace

Shadow of My Love - Apollinaire & Picasso❦ APOLLINAIRE (Guillaume). Ombre de Mon Amour/Picasso

Soldiers' Lives and Adventures❦ RANDON nos troupiers

Wandering through France: Paris and Beyond❦ PARIS / EN FLANANT A TRAVERS LA FRANCE 1924

1878 Illustrated Hunting Journal❦ Chasse illustrée – Journal des chasseurs et de la vie à la campagne 1878

French-Latin Dictionary with Geographic Supplement❦ Le Petit Apparat Royal, ou Dictionnaire françois et latin 1766 dic-géographie

Richard Texier: Artist monograph with original drawing❦ TEXIER Richard GRAINVILLE 1995 + dessin de l’artiste

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