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 Barefoot Girl❦ AUERBACH LA FILLE AUX PIEDS NUS 1875

Sacred India: Splendor and Misery of a World❦ Inde sacrée. Grandeur et pitié d’un monde 1934

Algerian folk costumes❦ Alger tenues folkloriques 14 x 11 cm.

Italian painting history by Stendhal❦ STENDHAL HISTOIRE DE LA PEINTURE EN ITALIE sur Arches nté 1924

India: Splendor and Twilight of the Maharajahs❦ Inde SPLENDEUR ET CREPUSCULE DES MAHARAJAHS

Unpublished correspondence of Marie-Antoinette❦ Marie-Antoinette / Vogt d’Unolstein Correspondance inédite de Marie-Antoinette

Carbon Process Photography Techniques 1937❦ Photo SCHNEEBERGER. Tranchant Les procédés au charbon 1937

Georges Sand's pastoral tales❦ SAND GEORGES ROMANS CHAMPETRES HACHETTE ET CIE. 1860 Johannot

The Adventures of Estevanille Gonzales❦ LESAGE – HISTOIRE D’ESTEVANILLE GONZALES 1821

Municipal Powers and Local Government Administration❦ Maire Les pouvoirs du maire. La vie communale & départementale

Strolling through France: Paris and Beyond❦ PARIS / EN FLANANT A TRAVERS LA FRANCE 1924

Chinese Spirit and Behavior from Origins to Ming Dynasty❦ Chine Chinois – Esprit et comportement des Chinois comme ils se révèlent…

Overview of Impressionism's Evolution❦ Impressionnistes. Des précurseurs aux héritiers

Terrible Children - Illustrated Tales❦ Bertall Les enfants terribles – Bertall 1899

Life and Work of Librarian Hubert Pascal Ameilhon❦ bibliothécaire Hubert Pascal Ameilhon (1730-1811)

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