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

Rolf Wagner Lithograph, circa 1955❦ Rolf Wagner ca. 1955 lithographie

Royal tales of passion and liberation❦ Abel Hermant Serge, Ermeline, histoire d’un fils de roi, les affranchis ***s…

The Prodigal Child - Poem in Four Cantos❦ Campenon L’enfant prodigue, poème en IV chants.1811

Historical, Literary and Critical Memoirs❦ Bachaumont, Louis Petit de Mémoires historiques, littéraires et critiques

Switzerland Armed: 1940 Border Defense❦ Suisse La Suisse en armes 1942

Songs to Mary. Canticles for the Month of May❦ Chants à Marie. Cantiques pour le mois de mai..1845

A Dreamy Reflection❦ DUBOIS Huguette Au clair de mon rêve + dédicace

French civilization history❦ RAMBAUD ALFRED histoire de la civilisation française

Social observations and moral tales❦ GIRARDIN NOUS AUTRES 1875 ill-Bayard

Friendship Through Books❦ FRANCK JEAN FIRMINE L’AMITIE PAR LE LIVRE

Loves of Catherine de Bourbon❦ Amours de Catherine de Bourbon, soeur du Roi, et du Comte de Soissons 1882

Illustrated Guide to Direct Tax Code❦ HEMARD CODE GENERAL DES IMPOTS DIRECTS illustré J. HEMARD

Frans Post: Brazil and the Court of Louis XIV❦ Frans Post Le Brésil et la cour de Louis XIV

Huon of Bordeaux - Magical melodrama with dedication❦ ARNOUX HUON DE BORDEAUX – MELODRAME FEERIQUE + dédicace

Words of a Believer and The People's Book❦ LAMENNAIS Paroles d’un croyant Le livre du peuple 1838

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