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

Fine Etching by Queverdo 1787❦ Belle eau-forte Queverdo 1787

Saint Nicolas and Old Bachelor Sayings❦ Saint-Nicolas doit-on croire certain dicton, vieux garçon…vieux polisson

National Military Academy History❦ Prytanée HISTOIRE DU PRYTANEE NATIONAL MILITAIRE

Conflict between Napoleon and the Papacy❦ Napoléon CONTRE PIE VII ET BONAPARTE, LE BLANCHARDISME, 1801-1829

Land surveying and mapping techniques❦ Arpentage, levé des plans et nivellement 1880

Occitan literary works❦ occitan ABBE BESSOU J. BESUCARIETOS – RISOULETOS – PROUDERBIS – DEBINARELOS

Studies of English Poetry❦ SPIERS Etudes de la poésie anglaise

Parisian Household Management: 14th-Century Domestic Ethics❦ Menagier de Paris, traité de morale et d’économie domestique composé vers 1393

A rebel's spiritual journey through madness❦ CENDRARS, Blaise. Moravagine

Castelsarrasin: A Place of Truth❦ Castelsarrasin place de la vérité

Blériot aircraft and Channel crossing❦ Blériot nos aéroplanes Blériot traversant la Manche

French Astronomy Monthly Review 1900❦ Astronomique de France et revue mensuelle d’astronomie 1900

Life of a Romantic German Nobleman❦ Prince de Pückler-Muskau. I. De l’aube au zénith du zénith à la tombe

Guide to the Benjamin Altman Collection❦ HANDBOOK OF THE BENJAMIN ALTMAN COLLECTION 1915

Napoleon's Egyptian Campaign❦ BONAPARTE : LA CAMPAGNE D’ÉGYPTE

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