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

Luxurious illustrated edition❦ ROBIDA (A.) RENARD (G.).- La Sainte-Chapelle du Palais. Texte de G. Renard

Childlike Postcards from Mexico❦ Mélek 6 cartes postales ENFANTINA

Iconography of Latin Library Medals❦ Médaille Iconographie de la bibliothèque latine explication des médailles 1885

Examination of Criminal Procedure❦ Bourbon Examen de la procédure criminelle instruite à Saint-Leu, à Pontoise 1832

Art Collector's Journey Through Millennia❦ Odyssey of an Art Collector: Unity in Diversity, 5000 years of art

Certificate of Ridicule Award❦ Diplôme de ridicule Cornarde Decerné…ill-Sager

Paris Communards of 1871❦ Commune BERTALL LES COMMUNEUX DE PARIS 1871

Paris 1924 Olympic Games❦ JO jeux olympiques Paris 1924 illustrateur ROOWY 7 CPA

Biography and themes of Drieu la Rochelle❦ DRIEU LA ROCHELLE

Illustrated Pretension❦ prétention illustré par Norwins

Napoleon's Captivity❦ Napoléon AUBRY, OCTAVE L’AIGLON PRISONNIER

History of the Prytanée National Military❦ Prytanée HISTOIRE DU PRYTANEE NATIONAL MILITAIRE

Automobile of the Belle Époque❦ belle époque AUTOMOBILE 1901

Insight into Manet's Etching and Lithography❦ Manet ROSENTHAL, Léon. Manet aquafortiste et lithographe 1925

Exploring Love and Cinema❦ Amour-Érotisme et Cinéma

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