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

Night Camps and Forgotten Trails❦ Bivouacs sous la lune. La piste oubliée 1950

Theater works by MERLE❦ MERLE Robert. Théâtre. Tome II + dédicace

Insights into Daily Habits❦ SCHWOB Marcel /LOYSON-BRIDET Moeurs des diurnales EO

Historic photo of a woman❦ Photo ancienne femme 106 x 162 mm.

Correspondence of Gide and Valéry❦ Gide, André Valéry, Paul CORRESPONDANCE: (1890-1942) SP

Posthumous poems by Tailhade❦ Tailhade, Laurent. Poésies posthumes

Historical Photo of Salzburg❦ Photo ancienne 165 x 110 mm.

Surrealist Painting History❦ Surréalisme Histoire de la peinture surréaliste 1959

French Verse: Metrics and Poetics❦ FORMONT & LEMERRE LE VERS FRANCAIS – VERSIFICATION ET + dédicace

Insightful reflections on magic and logic❦ Maurois ( André ). Magiciens et Logiciens S.P. + dédicace

Twelve Virtues of a Good Master❦ Maitre LES DOUZE VERTUS D’UN BON MAÎTRE 1838

My Uncle Thomas by PIGAULT-LEBRUN (1800)❦ PIGAULT-LEBRUN Mon Oncle Thomas 1800

Boutelleau’s Fetishes with Author’s Inscription❦ BOUTELLEAU GERARD LES FETICHES + dédicace

Wagnerian drama captured in vintage photo❦ PHOTO ARGENTIQUE ENFANT vers 1900 drame wagnérien

Photograph of Maurice Druon❦ Maurice DRUON 90 x 123 mm. photo argentique

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