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

The Illustrated World, weekly journal 1866-67❦ Le Monde illustré, journal hebdomadaire. Tome XX 1866-67

Surrealism and Design❦ Surreal Things : Surrealism and Design

The Trial - First Edition with Dedication❦ GUEHENNO Annie L’épreuve – Grasset1968 EO + dédicace

Physical constants of water❦ EAU constantes physiques de l’eau 1939

Solar azimuth tables for latitudes 61°S and 61°N❦ Soleil Tables des azimuts du soleil 61e sud et 61e nord 1868

Empire Carpets: Marmottan Collection Models❦ Tapis d’Empire. Maquettes de la Collection Marmottan NAPOLEON

History of the Directory❦ Directoire GABOURD Histoire du Directoire 1860

Posthumous Works Collection❦ MUSSET Oeuvres posthumes 1876 sur vergé

Paris: The Kingdom of Rue Saint-Honoré❦ PARIS Ségur Le Royaume de la rue Saint-Honoré

Austria: Maria Theresa's Reign Annals❦ Autriche Annales du règne de Marie-Thérèse, Impératrice douairière, Reine.. 1775

History of the Communist Party in the USSR❦ Histoire du Parti Communiste (Bolchevik) de L’U.R.S.S. 1949

Eisenstein's Complete Filmography❦ EISENSTEIN tous ses films

Music and Its Sensory Effects❦ MUSIQUE et quelques uns de ses effets sensoriels

Family leadership and dynamics❦ FLEURIOT Raoul Daubry chef de famille

Life Insights of Pierre Corneille❦ CORNEILLE Points obscurs et nouveaux de la vie de Pierre Corneille

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