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

Auction catalog of modern paintings❦ Dollfus CATALOGUE DE TABLEAUX MODERNES 1912

Archaeological and Iconographic Studies❦ Sainte Vierge. Etudes archéologiques et iconographiques 1878

French Army in Campaign❦ DRANER Les Soldats de La République, l’armée française en campagne

Proust’s autograph letter to Fernand Gregh❦ PROUST Reynaldo Hahn Lettre autographe signée

Autographed Letters and Visiting Cards❦ EMILE MÂLE cartes & lettres autographes manuscrites & signées

Illustrated Hunting Journal 1869-1870❦ Chasse illustrée – Journal des plaisirs de la ferme et du château 1869-1870

Chronological and historical gift almanac for 1788❦ Étrennes chronologiques et historiques 1788 mini

Bonaparte's Italian Campaign 1796-1797❦ Napoléon Bonaparte : 1 ère campagne d’Italie 1796-1797

Autographed postcard by Henri Bergson❦ Henri Bergson belle carte autographe manuscrite

Medieval scholarship journal 1896-1903❦ Bibliothèque de l’école des Chartes. Revue d’érudition 1896-1903

Eighteenth-century letter collection attributed to Dorat❦ XVIII ème recueil de lettres Dorat

Biblical Dictionary and Concordance❦ DICTIONNAIRE DE L’ECRITURE SAINTE OU REPERTOIRE ET CONCORDANCE 1848

Sacred Eloquence for the People❦ Cours d’éloquence sacrée populaire ou essai sur la manière de parler au peuple

Future Irreligion: A Sociological Study❦ L’IRRELIGION DE L’AVENIR. ETUDE SOCIOLOGIQUE 1906

Complete Methodical Formulary of French Justices of the Peace❦ Formulaire complet et méthodique des Justices de Paix de France 1819

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