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 Literature of the 18th Century❦ Albert Paul LA LITTERATURE FRANCAISE AU DIX-HUITIEME SIECLE 1872

A Prisoner's Botanical Companion❦ SAINTINE PICCIOLA dessins de C. NANTEUIL…

Saint-Malo: Reconstruction and Recovery❦ SAINT-MALO, 1944-1960

Body and Mind: A Philosophical Inquiry❦ Bergson Matière et mémoire. Essai sur la relation du corps a l’esprit 1914

Sappho: One-Act Verse Drama❦ SAPHO – DRAME EN UN ACTE ET EN VERS MINI 1851

Mountain Pleasures: Alpine Adventures❦ SAMIVEL REY Guido Sous l’oeil des choucas ou les plaisirs de l’alpinisme

The Queen Pédauque's Rotisserie❦ Rotisserie de la reine Pédauque

Magic Art: Surrealism and Wonder❦ André Breton MAISON RIGNAULT AUTOUR D’ANDRE BRETON : L’ART MAGIQUE

Taste Variability in Arts and Fashion Phases❦ Variabilité du gout dans les Arts. Les phases ornementales de la mode 1921

Marceline Desbordes-Valmore: Life and Poetry❦ Marceline Desbordes-Valmore d’après des documents inédits Poésie

Trade and Satirical Art❦ COMMERCE ET CARICATURE

Bibliophile Library Newsletter 1876❦ Courier Librairie des Bibliophiles 1876

Memoirs of a cloth reader❦ Belen Mémoires d’une liseuse de draps

The Hearts of Others: A Three-Act Drama❦ MARCEL, Gabriel Le Coeur des autres. Trois actes

Christian doctrine instruction, fourth volume❦ Instructions familières, dogmatiques et morales…doctrine chrétienne 1775

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