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

Ten Years of Historical Studies❦ THIERRY Dix ans d’Etudes Historiques 1836

Travel account from Trappe to Rome❦ Trappe GÉRAMB Voyage de la Trappe à Rome

Gulliver's Travels❦ SWIFT Voyages de Gulliver Poirson

Administrative Directory of Calvados Department 1886❦ Annuaire administratif du département du Calvados 1886

French Historical Songs from 12th to 18th Century❦ Recueil de chants historiques français depuis le XII° jusqu’au XVIII° sie..

Renault 5TL/5GTL & Citroën GS Technical Manual❦ Renault “5TL” et “5GTL” & Citroën GS Etai, 1980

Louis Carré Gallery: History and Contemporary Works❦ Galerie Louis Carré. Histoire et Actualité 2000

Exotic sea adventures and mysteries❦ POIRIER Léon CAÏN, Aventures des mers exotiques

Songs of Hégésippe Moreau with Introduction❦ Chansons de Hégésippe Moreau, publiées avec une introduction par Alexandre Pi…

Comprehensive illustrated flower and plant guide❦ Fleurs plantes HAY 2000 fleurs, plantes et arbustes en couleurs

Popular Encyclopedia of Practical Life 1899❦ Almanach Hachette : petite encyclopédie populaire de la vie pratique 1899

Dedication to Pierre Louÿs❦ LOUYS Le tombeau de Pierre Louÿs ex. H.C.

Richardson's Clarissa Harlowe with Janin's critical essay❦ JANIN Clarisse Harlowe 1846

Bonaventure: Continuation of Stories and Parables❦ Bonaventure: Suite des Histoires et Paraboles

The Time Will Come - Romain ROLLAND's Journals❦ Rolland Romain Le temps viendra Cahiers de la Quinzaine

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