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

Hand-painted mill❦ Moulin peint à la main

Mission of the Holy Spirit Fathers in Africa❦ mission des P. P. du Saint-Esprit attelage AFRIQUE

A satirical view on wealth and privilege❦ Fils à papa CHAMPAGNE 1908

Market scene in Papeete❦ Tahiti place du marché à papeete

Water carriers of Tananarive❦ Tananarive porteuses d’eau 1907

Catalan Fisherwomen at Work❦ Catalogne types catalans sur le port, pêcheuses réparant les filets

African village culture❦ village africain le piroguier

Artistic exploration of Dali's work❦ DALI de DRAEGER. C. Draeger – Le Soleil Noir, 1968

Annamite Fishermen's Dwelling❦ SAINT-LAURENT Case de pêcheurs annamites

Swiss Alpine travels with schoolgirls❦ SUISSE TÖPFFER Premiers voyages en Zigzag 1860

Djibouti, Danakil and Abyssinian Memories❦ Djibouti DANKALI souvenirs d’abyssinie

Paris Neighborhoods: Islands and University Quarter❦ PARIS ET SES QUARTIERS L’ILE SAINT LOUIS L ‘ ILE DE LA CITE LE QUARTIER DE…

Gouro Warriors Gathering in Ivory Coast❦ Côte-d’Ivoire réunion des guerriers Gouros

Parisian avenue history and heritage❦ CHAMPS-ELYSEES 1997 PARIS

West African Indigenous Orchestra 1916❦ AFRIQUE OCCIDENTALE – Orchestre Indigène 1916

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