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

French Private Life & Historical Costumes❦ Mode Lacroix Histoire de la vie privée des français suivie des costumes histori-

Ivory Carvings Across Civilizations and Centuries❦ IVOIRES TARDY Europe, Antiquité, Islam, inde, Chine, Japon, Afrique Noire..

Comprehensive catalog of Northern European drawings at the Louvre❦ Louvre INVENTAIRE GENERAL DES DESSINS DES ECOLES DU NORD

Ecclesiastical history of Coutances Diocese❦ Coutances Histoire ecclésiastique du Diocèse de Coutances 1874

Normandy, Brittany & Channel Islands during Emigration❦ Relations de la Normandie et de la Bretagne avec les iles de la Manche 1885

Original Letters from Vincennes Prison, 1777-1780❦ Mirabeau Lettres originales de Mirabeau, écrites du donjon de Vincennes 1803

Imitation of Christ with Waltner etchings❦ Les quatre livres de l’imitation de Jésus-Christ eaux-fortes par Waltner

Epic poem of the Crusades❦ TASSE Le Jérusalem délivrée 1785

Memoirs of a Sexagenarian - Literary Life 1833❦ Souvenirs d’un sexagénaire 1833

Weekly Illustrated Magazine, 1916-1917❦ EN ROUTE ! REVUE HEBDOMADAIRE ILLUSTREE 1916

British motoring guides and handbooks from 1938-1939❦ Automobile Club Guide and Handbook 1938-1939

Iconography of French-Latin Library 1835❦ Iconographie de la bibliothèque Latine-Française 1835

Gulliver's Travels Illustrated❦ SWIFT Voyages de Gulliver dans les contrées lointaines 1838 Grandville

Artworks from Leningrad Museums❦ Kunstwerke aus den Bestanden Leningrader Museen und Schlösser Ermitage 1928

Autographed letters and cards by Paul Hervieu❦ PAUL HERVIEU lettres & cartes autographes manuscrites & signées

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