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

Sawmill in Vallée de Campan❦ Scierie Vallée de Campan près Bagnières

Postcards depicting ecclesiastical themes❦ CLASTRES église & rue de chapitre

Frosted Edges❦ Marken Dutch

Legal decisions in historical context❦ Le HAUCOURT arrêt de la rame

Bedouins Harvesting Wheat❦ Bédouins Moisson du blé par les cultivateurs

A translated work on incendiary themes❦ HOSTOVSKY, Egon. L’Incendiaire. Traduit du tchèque. Preface de Claude MORGAN

Dog-sledding in Lucerne❦ Luzern Charette à chien KAPELLBRÜCKE

Catholic Pages by Huysmans❦ J.-K. Huysmans Pages catholiques 1904

Nursery of Saint-Jean Cap-Ferrat❦ Saint-jean Cap-Ferrat Une pouponnière…BON MARCHE

Translation of Norwegian novel❦ EGGE (Peter) Hansine Solstad. Traduit du norvégien …

Original edition of a unique 18th-century tale❦ cazin Le Fond du sac, ou restant des babioles 1780

Exploration of Molière's life and loves❦ Molière LES MAÎTRESSES & LA FEMME DE MOLIÈRE

Selected Theatrical Works from La Noue❦ Choix de pièces de théâtre de la Noue 1787

Insight into Balzac's Life and Character❦ Balzac PORTRAIT INTIME DE BALZAC, SA VIE, SON HUMEUR ET SON CARACTERE 1859

Insights on Ministerial Officers❦ Officiers ministériels dévoilés ou tarif général 1829 Pissin

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