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

Chronicle of Jaundice with Elisaeana and Author's Inscription❦ JOUHANDEAU (Marcel) Jaunisse, chronique suivie de Elisaeana + dédicace

Easy and Methodical Geography of the World❦ Géographie aisée et méthodique 1692

The True Christian Pedagogue❦ Le vray pedagogue chrestien 1665

Game Birds and Animals: Illustrated Study Plates❦ Gibiers OBERTHUR WITT

Barrès' Early Years and Literary Origins❦ MONDOR (Henri).- Maurice Barrès avant le quartier latin + dédicace

Surrealism Between Two Wars: A Discourse❦ Breton (André) Situation du Surréalisme entre les deux guerres PRE-ORIGINAL

Matisse at Bernheim-Jeune Gallery: Catalogue Raisonné❦ Matisse Bernheim-Jeune Dauberville catalogue raisonné

Golden Book of the Carabiniers❦ Le livre d’or des Carabiniers. Illustré par Ed. DETAILLE, TITEUX, Van MUYDEN

Chronicles of Notable Historical Favorites❦ Histoire des plus illustres Favoris anciens et modernes 1660

Complete Works in Compact Typographic Edition❦ ROUSSEAU Oeuvres complètes en 2 vol.1826 petite typographie

Signed autograph letter from Maurice DRUON❦ Maurice DRUON lettre autographes signée

Complete Works of Ronsard - Scholarly Edition❦ Ronsard Laumonier Lemerre

Of Wisdom: Three Books❦ Charron, Pierre De la sagesse Trois livres Amsterdam 1782

Three Typed and Signed Letters❦ BARBUSSE 3 lettres tapuscristes & signées

Algeria's Centenary: Regional Studies & Roman Ruins❦ Algérie Publications du Centenaire de l’Algérie

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