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

Romanesque Architecture Overview❦ ARCHITECTURE ROMANE (les grandes époques de l’art français).

Biography of a distinguished cardinal❦ VIE DU CARDINAL DE CHEVERUS, ARCHEVEQUE DE BORDEAUX 1842

Artistic Journey of Paris Opera❦ OPERA Peintures de l’Opéra de Paris de Baudry à Chagall

A poetic exploration of hands and deluge❦ PLISNIER Prière aux mains coupées + déluge DEDICACES

Illustrated book on exile❦ EXILEE illustrations de P. Kauffmann

Travel account in Geneva❦ Cazin voyage de Chapelle et Beaumont 1777

A Comedy about Fake Marriages❦ faux ménages. Comédie en quatre actes en vers 1869 EO

French Artists of the 19th Century❦ artistes Silvestre Les Artistes Français

Rare works by Auguste Gaude❦ Opuscules de M. Auguste Gaude 1788

Justice and Court Systems Overview❦ JUSTICE ET LES TRIBUNAUX IMPOTS MONNAIES ET FINANCES 1888

Political and Literary Annals - Puppet Theater❦ Guignol des annales. N°1141 bis. ANNALES POLITIQUES ET LITTERAIRES 1905

Inner Speech: A Descriptive Psychology Study❦ EGGER LA PAROLE INTERIEURE, ESSAI DE PSYCHOLOGIE DESCRIPTIVE 1881 + envoi

Magical Decorative Visions❦ enchantements Héron de Villefosse

Uncle Tom's Cabin - Illustrated Noury Edition❦ Stowe La case de l’oncle Tom ill-Noury

Forain's Illustrated Album❦ FORAIN Album Forain PLON

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