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

Speeches of Chancellor d'Aguesseau❦ Chancelier d’Aguesseau Discours de M. Le Chancelier d’Aguesseau 1846

Aunt Berthe's Evenings - Illustrated Classic❦ soirées de ma tante Berthe illustré par Morel

Paper Rose Garland: Carnival Traditions and Customs❦ belgique LA GUIRLANDE EN ROSES DE PAPIER QUELQUES TRADITIONS ET COUTUMES DU FOL

Nicolas Poussin 1594-1665 Grand Palais Exhibition❦ Poussin RMN Nicolas Poussin 1594-1665 Grand Palais

Charming 1884 mini edition❦ SAINT GERMAIN Pour une épingle 1884 mini

Exploring Europe's Edge with Asia❦ AUX CONFINS DE L’EUROPE ET DE L’ASIE 1913

Illustrated comedy with manuscript letter❦ CHANTECLERC Comoedia illustré Edmond Rostand + lettre de Miguel Zamacoïs

Beneath the axe - historical drama❦ Bourges Elémir Sous la hache 1895

European Throne Claimants: Historical Overview❦ monarchies Les prétendants aux trônes d’Europe. Préface duc de Castries

Illustrated Geographic Readings❦ Lectures Géographiques illustrées 1903

Complete Works of J.F. REGNARD❦ Régnard Oeuvres de J.F. Regnard 1820

History of Paris: A New Comprehensive Study❦ Parigi Touchard-Lafosse (G Histoire Di Parigi,Composta Sul Uno Plan Nouveau 1844

Federal Representative Government in Argentina❦ Argentine Le gouvernement représentatif fédéral dans la République Argentine

History of Music in Russia❦ Histoire de la musique en Russie

Critical examination of papal monarchy❦ Pape Monarchie pontificale a propos du livre de Mseigneur l’évèque de Sura 1870

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

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