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

Centenary Tribute to French Literary Humorists❦ ALLAIS, Alphonse JEANSON, Breton, QUENEAU … CENTENAIRE

Photographic Album of Orléans❦ Orléans LES HAUTS DOSSIERS DES STALLE… D’ORLEANS 1889

Early Christian Faith in Roman Catacombs❦ FABIOLA OU L’EGLISE DES CATACOMBES reliure + lettre

Educational narratives for young readers❦ Maria Edgeworth EARLY LESSONS 1836

FCB Foote Cone & Belding communication agency❦ FCB Foote Cone & Belding agence conseil en communication NEUILLY

European Political Upheavals 1823❦ révolution KOCH Tableau des révolutions de l’Europe 1823

Complete Latin-French Parish Missal❦ PAROISSIEN COMPLET, LATIN-FRANCAIS 1806

Progress and Social Evolution❦ ABOUT (Edmond) Le Progrès 1864

Carnival Days - Illustrated Chronicle❦ CHAM Les jours Gras

African American urban life in 1930s New York❦ QUARTIER NOIR ( HOME to Harlem) 1932

Three-act dramatic piece on succession and legacy❦ BERNSTEIN HENRY APRES MOI – PIECE EN 3 ACTES

Impressions of China through photographs❦ Chine CHITTY : EN CHINE, CHOSES VUES

Urban exploration of Harlem's darker side❦ QUARTIER NOIR ( HOME to Harlem) 1932

Magritte. Images and Meaning 1964-1967❦ Magritte. Les images en soi 1967 Le sens propre 1964

The Twelve Virtues of a Good Master❦ Maitre LES DOUZE VERTUS D’UN BON MAÎTRE 1838

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