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

Youth of Louis-Philippe and Marie-Amélie❦ Louis-Philippe JEUNESSE DE LOUIS-PHILIPPE ET DE MARIE-AMELIE

Children's Calendar - Complete Postcard Series 1903❦ ENFANTS calendrier en carte-postale 1903 Clayette photo Complet 12 CPA

The Secret of Saint-Louis - Historical Novel❦ Saint-Louis Le secret de SAINT-LOUIS Moreau

Four Queens Playing Cards Set - Signed Edition❦ Cartes à jouer Dames de pique, de coeur de carreau & de trèfle cartes signées

Historical Account of the 1900 China Expedition❦ Chine PELACOT Expédition de Chine de 1900 jusqu’à l’arrivée du Général Voyron

Illustrated humorous postcards from Casablanca❦ Maroc humoristique illustré par Tugot Casablanca 9 CPA

British Expeditions in Asia❦ Asie SEPTANS Les Expéditions Anglaises en Asie

Charming postcards from Mexico❦ Pinti Dolce farniente 2 cartes de charme

Exploring the Mysteries of Timbuktu❦ TOMBOUCTOU LA MYSTERIEUSE 1897

Latest Fashion Trends Illustrated❦ Mode dernier Cri illustré par PLUM 1910

Aphorisms on Fever Knowledge and Treatment❦ fièvres STOLL Aphorismes sur la connoissance et la curation des fièvres 1809

Charming illustrated children's book❦ LASSALLE BOZERIAN Des ESSARTS Les Enfants peints d’après nature

Moroccan Hours: A Dedication Included❦ THARAUD Jérome et Jean Rabat ou Les heures marocaines + dédicace

Royal Academy of Surgery Memoirs❦ Chirurgie Mémoires de l’Académie Royale de Chirurgie 1855

Hand-drawn Belle Époque postcard with poem❦ carte-postale belle époque réalisée & dessinée à la main & poème manuscrit

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

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