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

The Pickwick Club: Adventures and Tribulations❦ DICKENS PAPIERS POSTHUMES DU PICKWICK-CLUB 1937

The Good King Ortolan❦ MONQUET H. Le Bon Roi Ortolan

Encouragements for the Youth❦ Bouilly Les encouragements de la jeunesse

Historical photo of Salzburg❦ Photo ancienne 165 x 110 mm.

Law of the Maximum from 1927❦ loi du maximum 1927

The Cricket: A Marvelous Invention❦ RIPART G. La Sauterelle. La merveilleuse invention du Docteur Arrikoceq. Sport

Contemporary Marine Art from 1899❦ Marine d’aujourd’hui 1899

Scientific Exploration and Curiosity❦ Science Les projets de Mlle Marcelle et les étonnements de M. Robert

Comprehensive collection of plays and poems❦ SHAKESPEARE’S WORKS. Dramatic and Poetic

Adventures at the Edge of the World❦ HERVILLY Au bout du monde ! les vacances de M. Talmouse

The story of a piece of bread❦ Histoire d’une bouchée de pain. Lettres à une petite fille…Hetzel

Industrial and commercial study of Lower Seine (1873)❦ Seine-inférieur (76° industrielle & commerciale, étude… 1873

Foundations of Numerical and Literal Arithmetic❦ Elementa arithmeticae numericae, et literalis seu algebrae ad praefixam 1761

Quest for a Half-Million Dollar Prize❦ 500 000 dollars de récompense

Illustrated Weekly Press Journal 1872-1874❦ Presse illustrée : journal hebdomadaire du 13 juillet 1872 au 4 avril 1874

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

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