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

Children's moral tales and adventures❦ Berquin Sandford et Merton. Suivi de Le petit grandisson, Le retour de croisière

Nature in Her Intimate Spaces❦ Théophile Gautier eaux-fortes de K. Bodmer La nature chez elle 1870

My Vipers: Natural History Study❦ serpent Dumont André Mes vipères

Pleasures of the Holy Table❦ Délices de la Sainte Table

Intimate letters with a twist❦ GOURMONT Lettres intimes à l’Amazone 1927 sur vergé

Richard Wagner's Art and Poetic Work❦ WAGNER L’art de Richard Wagner. L’oeuvre poétique 1893

Charente Mercery Folly - Architectural Whimsy❦ La Mercerie – une folie charentaise

Georges Lecomte Autograph Manuscripts Collection❦ Georges Lecomte ACADEMICIEN belles lettres autographes manuscrites…

Wittgenstein's Dictations to Waismann and Schlick❦ Dictées de Wittgenstein à Friedrich Waismann et pour Moritz Schlick

Wildlife of the Far North❦ Bêtes du Grand Nord. Castors, Rats musqués, Renards, Lynx, Elan, ours, geai

The Thirty-Four Year War❦ ROSEY La Guerre de 34 ans + dédicace

Wagner: Artist's Life and Legacy❦ WAGNER Pourtalès, Guy de Wagner histoire d’un artiste

Toulouse painters and the Toulouse School - prehistory, history❦ Toulouse peintres de l’école toulousaine – préhistoire, histoire…

Truth about Russia❦ RUSSIE DOLGOROUKOW (Prince Pierre). La Vérité sur la Russie 1860

LOUŸS Autographed Letter, Signed❦ Pierre Louÿs lettre autographe signée

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