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

God's Greatness in Nature's Wonders❦ La grandeur de Dieu dans les merveilles de la nature 1757

Dialogued Idioms and Expressions❦ idiotismes dialogués 1852

The Queen's Whisky - A Novel❦ Whisky de la reine. Roman envoi à Simone Signoret

Paris and its surroundings❦ PARIS ET SES ENVIRONS. LAROUSSE 1925

Decennial Index of Official Laws 1834-1844❦ Table Décennale du Bulletin des Lois 1834-1844

Classical Biography through 1823❦ Nouvelle Biographie Classique, contenant Jusqu’a L’Anne 1823

Political Contradictions and Constitutional Movement Theory❦ Proudhon Contradictions politiques – théorie du mouvement constitutionnel 1870

The Luxembourg Palace: History, Architecture & Anecdotes❦ Le Luxembourg. Son histoire domaniale, architecturale, décorative et anecdoti…

Original Chinese Painting❦ Chine peinture originale

Florentine Madonna, rare 1912 edition❦ Madonne Fiorentine 1912. Rara edizione

Industrial Plants and Cereals Overview❦ Plantes Industrielles & céréales

Memoirs of a Fine Arts Director❦ CHENNEVIÈRES ( Philippe de ) Souvenirs d’un Directeur des Beaux-Arts

European Misfortune: Anglo-French Aid to Prussian Dominance❦ origines du malheur europeen : l’aide anglo-française à la domination prussienne

Pharmacy Directory and Chemical Journal 1922❦ pharmacie Répertoire de Pharmacie Archives de Pharmacie & Journal de Chimie 1922

Archaeological Discoveries in China❦ CHINE DES PROFONDEURS DE LA TERRE CHINOISE

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