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

Arts and curiosities: museum reference guide for collectors❦ Roger-Milès Les arts et les curiosités répertoire muséographique de connaissance

Vigny Estate monograph and architectural study❦ Domaine de Vigny (Seine-et-Oise) appartenant au comte Philippe Vitali

Surrealism: Toyen's Cut Hand, May 1953❦ surréalisme Toyen, mai 1953, main découpée

Corneille monograph with author inscription❦ Corneille + dédicace / Japon

Urban renewal in Strasbourg during WWII❦ Strasbourg la lutte contre les taudis à Strasbourg 1940

Lérins monastery and island history❦ Lerins , L’ILE ET L’ABBAYE DE LERINS 1930

Interior view of the cathedral❦ Beauvais intérieur de la cathédrale 31 x 45 cm lithographie

Extracts from a Religious Text❦ Extraits du Livre Intitule Solutions de Passages de L’Ecriture Sainte 1867

Italian rural life and its challenges❦ VERGA Giovanni Cavalleria rusticana

Exploration of Creusois Types❦ creuse 23 TYPES CREUSOIS – Los paillos nest pas fochile o coupa

Alphabetical Table of Pittoresque Magazine❦ Charton Le Magasin Pittoresque 1833-1852 Table Alphabétique &

Exploration of Desire❦ LOUYS Pierre La femme et le pantin. Ill-Hallo

Social Economy, Constitutions and Legal Rights❦ TRAITE D’ECONOMIE SOCIALE,CONSTITUTIONS ET CHARTES,DROIT 1833

Mushroom Foraging in the Landes Region❦ Au Pays landais Cueillette des Cêpes

Mael, the Godchild of Du Guesclin❦ MAEL LA FILLEULE DE DU GUESCLIN

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