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

French Civil & Commercial Law Explained❦ MONITEUR DES FRANCAIS OU EXPLICATION DES LOIS CIVILES et commerciales 1869

Small Comedies of Vice illustrated by Benassit❦ VICE Les petites Comédies du Vice. illustré par Benassit

Decorative composition principles and methods❦ Traité de composition décorative

Two English Heroines in Victorian Adventure❦ GENESTOUX MATTIE BRIGGS ET ROSE CRILLON

Tactile sculptures and forms❦ IPOUSTEGUY. Tactiles. Paris, Galerie Claude Bernard, 1972

Peach Varieties Monograph❦ pêche CAILLAVET & SOUTY Monographie des principales variétés de pêchers 1950

Progressive Education: Life Course Study❦ Saussure L’éducation progressive ou étude du cours de la vie 2/2

Murder on Fifth Avenue❦ GREEN AK. LE CRIME DE LA 5e AVENUE 1931

Overview of Modern Islamic Movements❦ Moslem Brethren, The Greatest of The Modern Islamic Movements

Basque Mountains: 400 hiking routes across seven provinces❦ basque La montagne basque / 400 itinéraires à travers les sept provinces

The Physical and Moral Nature of the Passions❦ Caractère des passions, au physique et au moral 1807

Yesterday's Military History❦ AMERO Constant Miliza histoire d’hier

World journey: Beijing, Yeddo, San Francisco❦ BEAUVOIR Voyage autour du Monde Pékin, Yeddo, San Francisco 1872

Byzantine France or the Triumph of Pure Literature❦ Benda LA FRANCE BYZANTINE OU LE TRIOMPHE DE LA LITTERATURE PURE SP

Two masterpieces of French interwar literature❦ RADIGUET, DECAUX ALAIN LE BAL DU COMTE D’ORGEL. LE DIABLE AU CORPS…

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