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

A nautical view of La Rochelle❦ La Rochelle au visage marin – Darde Fernand – 1940

Epistolary Art and Writing Guidance❦ ART EPISTOLAIRE OU DIALOGUES SUR LA MANIERE DE BIEN ECRIRE 1802

Foulah: Women and Girls of Guinea❦ Foulah AOF Guinée Fille & femme Foulah CPA

England's History from the Tudor Perspective❦ Tudor HUME (David) Histoire d’Angleterre, contenant la maison de Tudor 1763

Historical and Civil Geography Overview❦ Vaissete Géographie historique, ecclésiastique et civile 1755

Congo postal card❦ Congo LIBREVILLE 3 CPA

Adventurous tales of a Zouave barber❦ SéMANT Merveilleuses aventures de Dache perruquier des Zouaves

Overview of BIPLAN❦ Bricy la vue générale BIPLAN

Ethnic Dances from Africa❦ danses féticheuses AOF 4 CPA

Early 20th century street view❦ Derval rue de l’église 1906

The Three Missing from Sirius❦ Price – E. Zier. Les Trois disparus du Sirius

Guelma Post Office, 1910❦ Guelma hôtel des postes 1910

A detailed look at Acajou wood❦ Afrique bois ACAJOU, maison Sargos, equarissage..4 CPA

Historical Site in Auzances❦ Auzances l’église 23 CREUSE

Village and Types of Young Girls❦ Conakry Boulbiné village et types de jeunes filles 4 CPA

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

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