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

Military Celebrities 1789-1850❦ Biographie des célébrités militaires des armées de terre et de mer

Olonne Sands - Eight Postcards❦ Sables d’Olonne SABLAISES 8 x CPA

Versailles in poetic squares with engraved illustrations❦ Versailles DESPERT Jehan illustrations de Danièle FUCHS Versailles aux carrés

Agen: Passage and Place - Postcards❦ Agen le Passage La place

A vintage river boat and its devoted crew❦ DAUDET La Belle Nivernaise, histoire d’un vieux bateau et de son équipage

The Sky: Essential Encyclopedia❦ Ciel PECKER 1960 Le ciel

Auvergne Region - Postcards❦ Auvergne D’O

Saint Bernard Congress, Burgundy Learned Societies❦ Saint Bernard Congrès de l’Association bourguignonne des sociétés

Auvergne Spinner, circa 1904❦ Auvergne FILEUSE vers 1904

Biography of librarian Hubert Pascal Ameilhon❦ bibliothécaire Hubert Pascal Ameilhon (1730-1811)

Auvergne Bourrée - Regional Dance Postcards❦ Auvergne Bourée la Bourreio 6 CPA

Royal Hotel of the Invalides: History & Organization❦ Invalides ‘Hôtel royal des Invalides

Constitutional Church during the French Revolution❦ EGLISE CONSTITUTIONNELLE 1790-1791

Seyssel Dam, SHEL Route to Rumilly 1921❦ Seyssel barrage de la SHEL route de Rumilly 1921

Practice of Ancient Documents: Public and Notarial Acts❦ archives pratique des documents anciens. Actes publics et notariés documents…

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