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

Artistic magazine from August 1917❦ Nu artistique aout 1917

First line trench in Madagascar 1917❦ Tranchée de première ligne Madagascar Diego Suarez 1917

Artistic Nu from 1916❦ Nu artistique 1916

Beyazid Mosque, Constantinople❦ Constantinople mosquée du Sultan Beyazid 1922

A satirical look at servitude❦ Humour Servante …Donne lui donc un coup de manche

Geographical Plates for the Bible❦ Bible 8 Planches géographiques

Reserves and Painful Goodbyes❦ réservistes nos douloureux adieux HOPITAL-DEPOT Fontainebleau 1915

Beautiful engraving of the Acropolis❦ Athènes Edy Legrand Acropole

Satyric portraits in Provençal❦ LILLE Autour de la Deesse Portraits satyriques écrit en provençal par un agent

Musical Prelate by G. Vibert❦ Prélat mélomane G. Vibert

Memorable Humor from Barbazan❦ humour souvenir de Barbazan

Duel in the Restoration Era❦ Duel sous la restauration J. Le Blant

Illustrated postcard by amateur artist❦ carte-postale illustré dessin et d’un collage personnalisé d’une artiste-amateur

The Seizure, an 1884 artwork❦ La Saisie par Leloir

Embossed map of Hoh Rappolstein❦ Hoh Rappolstein carte gaufrée

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