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

Children's Doll Collection❦ Enfantina Poupée

Longueil-Annel Harbor❦ LONGUEIL-ANNEL le port

Setúbal, Portugal - Regional Study❦ Setubal Portugal

Roques, Gers - High Street View❦ ROQUES gers Grande Rue

Villefranche-sur-Mer: General View❦ VILLEFRANCHE SUR MER vue général

Le Mans Republic Square Market❦ LE MANS la place de la république MARCHE

Deauville: Missing Corner of Yachts❦ DEAUVILLE le bassin des yachts CHOCOLAT AMERICAIN

1870 Fort de l'Est Chaplain's Memoir❦ 1870. Souvenirs du Fort de l’Est – près Saint-Denis – Carnet d’un aumonier

Five Vintage Postcards of Philippeville❦ PHILIPPEVILLE x 5 CPA

Templar Houses of Douai❦ DOUAI maisons des templiers

Le Mans: Historic Hemp Mill and Barrage d'Enfer❦ LE MANS vieux moulin à chanvre et le barrage d’Enfer

Embossed Modern Style Binding❦ Modern Style Gaufré

Cambrai Street Cantimpré❦ Cambrai rue cantimpré

Stencil or Watercolor Map❦ Carte au Pochoir ou à l’aquarelle

Saint-Pierre LES ELBEUF

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