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

Collected Works of LAMARTINE❦ LAMARTINE (Alphonse de). Œuvres Boquet 1826

Five-act play with twelve scenes❦ LOTI PIERRE RAMUNTCHO

Beautiful hand-painted postcards❦ MUSES sur soie et peint à la main 1903

Exploration of desert landscapes❦ Loti Pierre Le désert

Funicular view of Lourdes❦ Lourdes funiculaire du pic du Jer

An exquisite collection of romantic tales❦ Edmond Rostand Les romanesques 1904

Author with Dedication❦ Prevost Marcel Marie-des-Angoisses + dédicace

Naples Streets Overview❦ NAPOLI VICOLI DI S . LUCIA 1903

Loti's reflections on a declining Turkey❦ TURQUIE LOTI Pierre Turquie agonisante

Location of the Old Post Office❦ PARAY – Carrefour de la Vieille Poste 95

Travel guide for Southwest France❦ Baedeker Sud-ouest de la France De la Loire à la frontière de lEspagne 1901

Meat Pricing Insights❦ La viande est bien chère

Memoirs of Louis XIV for the Dauphin❦ Mémoires de Louis XIV pour l’Instruction du Dauphin

Model Woman Painter from 1905❦ Femme modèle peintre 1905

Poetic works by Boileau❦ BOILEAU Oeuvres poétiques Bibliophiles 1892

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