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

Hugo's Poetic Collections❦ Hugo, Victor ODES ET BALLADES – LES FEUILLES D’AUTOMNE 1858

Reflections by Materlinck❦ MATERLINCK MAURICE LE SABLIER + dédicace

Rostand's tale of selflessness❦ Rostand La Samaritaine 1901

Thesis by Péguy❦ PÉGUY (Charles). La Thèse. Paris, Gallimard, 1955 S.P.

Fifth Mountain by Coelho❦ COELHO PAULO LA CINQUIEME MONTAGNE EO

Rebellion and Chase❦ ZAVIE (Emile) La course aux rebelles Gallimard, 1927 + dédicace

Spring's Downfall: 1920-1930❦ chute du printemps 1920-1930 + dédicace

Romantic Despair and Dedication❦ Suicides et misères romantiques & Dédicace

César's Blood, Signed Copy❦ George Adam. Le Sang de César + dédicace

Lost Lives: A Personal Dedication❦ Romieu Georges Les vies perdues S.P. + dédicace

Orphans from Auteuil with author dedication❦ NOURISSIER (François) Les orphelins d’Auteuil + dédicace

Exploration of Ash Taste❦ SABATIER ROBERT. LE GOUT DE LA CENDRE + dédicace

Author's Dedication Edition❦ JOUHANDEAU (Marcel). Le Langage de la tribu S.P. + dédicace

Child Portrait from around 1880❦ ENFANT vers 1880 14 x 10 cm.

Correspondence of Marcel Proust❦ Proust, Marcel Letters of Marcel Proust

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