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

Sacred Buddhist Treasures of Ancient Japan❦ Nara, trésors bouddhiques du Japon ancien

The Treasure of the Humble - Signed Copy❦ Maeterlinck Le Trésor des Humbles + dédécace

Ancient Women: Legend, History, and Scripture❦ BERTHEROY Femmes antiques. La légende – L’histoire – La Bible

Hungary on the Threshold of the Millennium: Statistical Data with Two Maps❦ Hongrie à La Veille du Millénaire: Données Statistiques avec deux Plans 1896

Autographed Letter from Mauclair❦ Mauclair belle lettre autographe signée

Jacques Stella: Life and Works 1596-1657❦ Jacques Stella 1596-1657

Louvre tour with Delacroix through Vallon's eyes❦ delacroix FERNAND VALLON AU LOUVRE AVEC DELACROIX. 1930

Exhibition catalog of DEGAS's works❦ DEGAS Catalogue d’Exposition Galeries nationales du Grand Palais 1988

Taxes on Various Sins and Misdeeds❦ TAXES des Parties Casuelles de la Boutique du Pape 1820

Lion Hunting Illustrated by Gustave Doré❦ GERARD La Chasse au LION ill-Gustave Doré 1855

Scenes of public and private animal life❦ GRANDVILLE Scènes de la vie publique et privée des animaux 1852

A son for the season❦ REY FREDERIC Un fils pour l’automne

Geographical engravings and map❦ Manche – 12 gravures et une carte Adolphe Joanne***Geographie 50

Criminal Procedure Code of 1809❦ Code d’Instruction Criminelle 1809

The House of Condé❦ Condé A. Guibout La maison de Condé

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