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

Soviet Literature by Aragon❦ Aragon Littérature soviétiques Denoël. 1955, S.P. + dédicace

A philosophical exploration of sight❦ DORY Henry Dieu n’aime pas les borgnes + dédicacé

Muses Almanac, Year 1783❦ Almanach des muses, 1783

Exploration of Baudelaire's Life and Work❦ Baudelaire, Ch. Les fleurs du mal

Moscow's Reception by Robert Kemp❦ RUSSIE ROBERT KEMP – MOSCOU REÇOIT S.P. + dédicace

Exploration of Cuba's Beauty❦ CUBA, THE WONDER-LAND OF AMERICA

Poet's Confession with Dedication❦ FONTAINAS André Confession d’un poète + dédicace

Original work on memorializing the dead❦ BOCQUET (Léon) La Commémoration des Morts + dédicace

Misleading Expectations with Dedication❦ DÉON (Michel) Les trompeuses espérances + dédicace

Animals in Spirit❦ CAILLEUX (Roland). Les Esprits animaux + dédicacé

Letter from Africa: Senegal, Sudan, Guinea❦ MARTIN DU GARD COURRIER D AFRIQUE- SENEGAL- SOUDAN- GUINEE + dédicace

Alexandrian Poetics Under the Early Ptolemies❦ poésie alexandrine sous les trois premiers Ptolémées

Fabulist of Young Ladies❦ FABULISTE DES DEMOISELLES, PRECEDE D’UN EXERCICE sur l’apologue 1825

Historic photograph by Etienne Carjat❦ Photo ancienne 65 x 105 mm.

Folkloric attire from Algeria❦ Alger tenues folkloriques 14 x 11 cm.

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