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

Critical bibliography of French works on the United States❦ Bibliographie critique des ouvrages français relatifs aux états-unis

Frédéric Bazille and Early Impressionism❦ Frédéric Bazille et les débuts de l’impressionnisme

Analytical table of Parisian flora, 1853❦ BAUTIER Tableau analytique de la flore parisienne d’après la méthode 1853

Wounded Amazon - Author's Inscription❦ Amazone blessée Envoi de l’auteur

Ladies' Garland - Second Year, 1816❦ La Guirlande des Dames , 119 x 78 mm., 1816

Architecture as Seen by Writers❦ ARCHITECTURE LIEU D’ECRITURE 1989

Original documents and manuscripts❦ STIGMATES l’ Herne, 2001

Maintenance guides for Mc Cormick plows❦ Mc Cormick CHARRUES livrets d’entretien & catalogues

Pleasure of Images in Ivory❦ ivoires. Plaisir des images 1965

Churches of France: Allier Department 1938❦ Eglises de France. Allier 03 1938

Practical reference guide for professionals❦ Mini USEFUL INFORMATION FOR BUSINESS MEN, MECHANICS AND ENGINEERS 1942

Russia - Moscow Receives S.P., Signed❦ RUSSIE ROBERT KEMP – MOSCOU REÇOIT S.P. + dédicace

Charming tale from 1895❦ HOUDETOT YSABEL 1895

Laundry Services and Collective Washhouses❦ blanchissage et buanderies collectives

Adventures in Indochina❦ LE FAURE LES AVENTURES DE SIDI-FROUSSARD ” HAI-DZUONG – HANOI – SONTAY…

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