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

Russian Adventures: Ivan Wuishigin❦ Boulgarin, Fadde Venediktovitch Ivan Wuishigin ou Le Gil Blas Russe 1860

Sartre's autobiographical writings and philosophical reflections❦ SARTRE (Jean-Paul) Les Mots Paris, Gallimard, 1964 EO

Textile Arts and Crafts❦ TISSU MIGEON GASTON Les arts du tissu 1929

Indian chief's story❦ Mocandah ou le jeune chef indien

True History of the Conquest of New Spain❦ Espagne HISTOIRE VERIDIQUE DE LA CONQUETE DE LA NOUVELLE-ESPAGNE

Life's Journey: Tales and Stories of Youth❦ RILKE (Rainer Maria).- Au fil de la vie. Contes et récits de jeunesse + dédicacé

Memoir of an elderly patriarch❦ My Grandfather Gregory 70 x 110 mm.

Exploration in a disease-stricken region❦ Alone in the Sleeping-Sickness Country 1923

Siege of Calais & Count of Comminges with Massillon's Lenten Sermons❦ siège de Calais suivi du Comte de Comminges 1833 petit carême de Massillon

André Breton: Literary portrait and intellectual influence❦ GRACQ (Julien) André Breton Paris José Corti 1948 ill-Belmer

Norman Tales and Regional Sketches❦ PONTGIBAUD Comte de Normandises ou le Décaméron normand 1884 dédicacé

Two Mothers❦ Colomb Mme J. DEUX MERES 1911

Urban Life and Social Realism, 1934❦ SENNEP Le milieu 1934

Napoleon in Egypt, Waterloo and the Son of Man❦ Napoléon Barthélémy, Méry Napoléon en Egypte. Waterloo et le fils de l’homme

A Century of Central School of Arts and Manufactures 1829-1929❦ ECOLE CENTRALE DES ARTS ET MANUFACTURES Cent ans de la vie de l’école 1829-1929

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