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

Poetic works by Boileau❦ BOILEAU Oeuvres poétiques Bibliophiles 1892

Sample display calendars for 1934❦ Calendriers présentoir de vendeur année 1934

Searching for a husband❦ Mari aux bals, aux soirées..tu cherches un mari

Automobile photography from 1903❦ AUTOMOBILE photo-carte 1903

Scenic views of Mount Fuji❦ JAPON Mont FUJI

Jewels and Beauty in Maggy Monier's Work❦ Maggy Monier les diamants sur les belles…

1948 Photo of Marigot Marseille-Alger❦ Marigot Marseille-Alger 1948 photo

Gordon Bennett Cup 2❦ coupe Gordon Benett 2 CPA

Normandie Ocean Liner Journey❦ PAQUEBOT NORMANDIE LIGNE DU HAVRE – NEW YORK

The Battleship Le Massena❦ Cuirassé Le Massena 1906

Fall of Napoleon by Wolseley❦ Napoléon Wolseley, Garnet Wolseley The decline and fall of Napoleon

View of Bonnières from the banks❦ BONNIERES-sur-SEINE la côte vue sur Bonnières

Transatlantic cruise ship details❦ paquebot MARRAKECH Cie Générale Transatlantique

Old fishing boat in Equihen❦ Equihen vieille barque habitation de pêcheur 62

The Adventures of ALAIN GERBAULT❦ ALAIN GERBAULT AU HAUT DU MAT DE SON “FIRE-CREST”

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