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

Memoirs on Music and Composition❦ GRETRY Mémoires, ou essais sur la Musique 1797

Chemical Industry Directory 1930-1939❦ Chimie Annuaire Union des Industries Chimiques 1930-1939

Tales from a Bayonne bibliophile's collection❦ Bayonne contes d’un bibliophile bayonnais 1891

Surrealist Poetry Anthology❦ Petite Anthologie poétique du Surréalisme

Imray's Return and Other Uncanny Tales❦ Kipling Rudyard LE RETOUR D’IMRAY suivis d’autres récits insolites

Provençal epic poem of love and redemption❦ MISTRAL Frédéric Mireille. Mirèio. Poème provençal

Cistercian Abbey of l'Escaladieu, Hautes-Pyrénées❦ Abbaye Cistercienne de l’Escaladieu (Hautes-Pyrénées) 1947

Collected Works of Madame Tastu❦ TASTU Madame OEUVRES DE MADAME AMABLE TASTU 1835

Educational dialogues for young women by a wise governess❦ Magasin des Adolescentes ou Dialogues d’une Sage Gouvernante avec ses Élèves

Generous Maria - A Tale of Virtue❦ Maria la généreuse

Italian Faïences: Art Catalog Overview❦ Faïences italiennes. Catalogue raisonné du Musée des Beaux-Arts de Dijon

A tale of the legendary knight❦ Bayard HISTOIRE DE BAYARD RACONTEE A MES ENFANTS Sémant Cahu

Archaeological Memories from Iran❦ Iran Mémoires de la Mission Archéologique en Iran Mission Susiane

Novel with dedication and azure-themed story❦ Jean Besliere De Sable au chef d’azur roman + dédicace

Basic Course in Zoology❦ Zoologie COURS ELEMENTAIRE DE ZOOLOGIE 1908

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