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

Epigraphic review of Southern France 1884-1889❦ Revue Epigraphique du Midi de la France 1884-1889

Basque legends explored❦ BASQUE REICHER (Gil G.) Les légendes basques dans la tradition humaine 1946

Reflections on Louis XV and Notable Figures❦ Aux manes de Louis XV et des grands hommes 1776

Guide to diseases in large ruminants❦ Vache LAFORE Traité des Maladies particulières aux grands Ruminants 1841

Art of the Oceanic Region❦ ART OCEANIEN. Mazenod

Duchess of Guise autograph letter + Brabant diplomacy essay❦ Duchesse de Guise lettre autographe + Essai de Diplomatie sur Le Brabant

Mythological Letters to Emilia❦ MOUSTIER M. DE LETTRES A EMILIE SUR LA MYTHOLOGIE 1792

Treasures of the Arsenal Library National Collection❦ TRESORS DE LA BIBLIOTHEQUE DE L’ARSENAL BIBLIOTHEQUE NATIONALE

Academic Memoirs of Caen, 1755❦ CAEN MEMOIRES DE L’ACADEMIE DES BELLES LETTRES DE CAEN 1755

Brazil in 1889: Empire Survey & Statistics❦ Brésil en 1889 Santa-Anna Néry

Spirou Comic Album Issue 703-715❦ Spirou album 39. 1951

Dramatic poem with Rodin sculptures and Banville preface❦ Enguerrande. Poème dramatique précédé d’une préface par Théodore Banville Rodin

The Red and the Black - Premier Edition on Laid Paper❦ STENDHAL. LE ROUGE ET LE NOIR sur vélin

Parisian Life and Devil's Tales❦ GAVARNI GRANDVILLE La diable à Paris , Paris et les parisiens J . hetzel

Complete Works 1966 Edition❦ Baudelaire Oeuvres complètes 1966

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