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

Fertilizers: purchasing and optimal use guide❦ Agriculture Les engrais. Comment les acheter et les utiliser….

Complete theatrical works of VIGNY❦ VIGNY Théâtre complet 1858

First Collection of Gascon Tales❦ Gascon Contes de gasconha / prumèra causida

Sea Songs - Poetry collection with author inscription❦ OSENAT (Pierre). CHANTS DE MER. 1964 + dédicace

French School of Extreme-Orient Bulletin❦ Bulletin de l’Ecole Francaise d’Extreme-Orient Tomes 51 fasc. 1 1963

Geneva Watch Museum Collection❦ Horlogerie Musée de l’horlogerie Genève

24-Hour Ambulance Service❦ Mompezat Marcel Ambulance H24 dédicace

The Tree of Faces - Chaminadour III❦ JOUHANDEAU L’ARBRE DE VISAGES (CHAMINADOUR III) blanche

Insights into Gascogne❦ Gascogne Starran le Gascarot de la Gascogne

Ten Thousand Leagues Through the Air❦ 10.000 LIEUES DANS LES AIRS – HANSTEIN O. – 1929

Mathematical and Mechanical Instruments❦ Livre des Instruments Mathématiques Méchaniques

Surrealism: Recent Works by Silbermann❦ Surréalisme Silbermann œuvres récentes Galerie Alphonse Chave 1984

A Visit with Anatole France❦ FRANCE (Anatole) Chez Anatole France. Préface par Roger Marx

Jean-François' Evening: Illustrated Classic❦ veillée de Jean-François. Illustrations LORIOUX

Spain's Conquest of the Americas❦ Espagne CONQUISTADORS Fayard 1954

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