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

biplane Savary military competition Reims 1911❦ biplan Savary concours militaire Reims 1911

elegance Belle Époque 1907 W. BRAYN❦ élegance BELLE EPOQUE 1907 W. BRAYN

METZ rue Paixhans

ARRAS Bifurcation d'Achicourt near Arras❦ ARRAS Bifurcation d’Achicourt près d’Arras

Woman of the Belle Époque❦ Femme BELLE EPOQUE SG254

Liebig Peoples of the World 6 Chromos❦ Liebig peuples du monde 6 Chromos

Trignac steelworks, blast furnaces and forges 1910❦ Trignac aciéries, hauts-fourneaux et forges 1910

Mirande Boulevard Lascours and Pig Market 32 Gers❦ Mirande Boulevard Lascours et marché aux cochons 32 Gers

Aire-sur-Adour, Place Thiers 32❦ Aire-sur-Adour place Thiers 32

Gimont 32 Gers Central Market 1912❦ Gimont 32 gers halle centrale 1912

Saint-Raphaël the Port during the Storm❦ Saint-Raphaël le port pendant la tempête

Pont-sur-Seine 10

Corse berger corse

Isle-Jourdain 32 GERS rue de la république 1913 front❦ Isle-Jourdain 32 GERS rue de la république 1913 devanture

Sénégal Saint-Louis at the fountain on the riverbank❦ Sénégal Saint-Louis à la fontaine sur le bord du fleuve

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

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