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

Sheila Hicks, Quai Branly, silk❦ soie Lévi-Strauss Sheila Hicks Quai Branly

Revolution: Journal of a Bourgeois Woman during the Revolution❦ révolution Journal d’une bourgeoise pendant la Révolution

Marine Practical Treatise on Boilers & Machines of the Merchant Marine 1916❦ marine Traité pratique des CHAUDIERES & MACHINES de la MARINE DE COMMERCE 1916

Wideville, History and Description 1874 CHATEAU❦ Wideville, Histoire et description 1874 CHATEAU

Photo Instructions pour le rêve idéal, 1904, 9x12 cm❦ photo instructions pour le rêve idéal 1904 9×12

morbihan 56 Patrimoine des communes du Morbihan (2 volumes) Flohic

Thumb Ready Reckoner (Containing Calculations from One-sixteenth of a Penny

translator’s dictionary Lilliput Dutch-French miniature 36 x 48 mm❦ traducteur dict. lilliput nederlandsch-Fransch minuscule 36 x 48 mm.

fable petit fabuliste de la jeunesse 32 x 46 mm. miniature

allemand-français & français-allemand dictionaries Poucet 43 x 60 mm❦ allemand-français & français-allemand dictionnaires Poucet 43 x 60 mm.

translator's dictionary Lilliput German-French-English-Italian, miniature, 36 x 48 mm❦ traducteur dict. lilliput Deutsch franzosich english itali minuscule 36 x 48 mm.

Boileau 1803 miniature Selected Works by Boileau 69 x 90 mm❦ Boileau 1803 minuscule Oeuvres choisies de Boileau 69 x 90 mm.

imitation of Jésus-christ 1885 53 × 78 mm. MINIATURE❦ imitation de Jésus-christ 1885 53 x 78 mm. MINUSCULE

Bombardiers of Free France, Groupe Lorraine FFL❦ bombardiers de la France Libre, Groupe Lorraine FFL

Mardrus, Le Livre des Mille Nuits et Une Nuits❦ MARDRUS LE LIVRE DES MILLE NUITS ET UNE NUITS

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