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

Women Revisited❦ Femme Karr Alphonse Encore les femmes 1858

Gotton Connixloo: A forgotten tale❦ Mayran Camille Histoire de Gotton Connixloo suivies de l’oubliée 1919

Rothschild: Masters of Etching, 16th-17th Centuries❦ ROtSCHILD Maîtres de l’eau-forte des XVIe et XVIIe siècles.

French Plutarch - Classical Lives & Virtues❦ Plutarque LE PLUTARQUE FRANCAIS

Prussian History: The First Two Kings❦ WADDINGTON Histoire de Prusse Les deux premiers Rois

Istanbul: The Conquest of Constantinople❦ Istanbul Conquête de Constantinople avec la continuation 1882

Oriental Army Road Service and Allied Topographic Maps❦ Armée d’Orient service routier. Service topographique des armées alliées

Cocteau's Pigalle Theatre Highlights❦ Cocteau Théâtre Pigalle, ses éclairages, sa machinerie 1929 Rothschild

Historical, genealogical, chronological and geographical atlas by LESAGE❦ Atlas historique, généalogique, chronologique et géographique LESAGE

French Millinery Catalog 1909❦ Chapeau 1909 CHAPELLERIE

Dramatic Proverbs Collection❦ restauration LECLERC : PROVERBES DRAMATIQUES, 1827

Lost and Rediscovered Workshop Secrets❦ Secrets d’atelier perdus et retrouvés CONSTRUIRE

Linotype typeface specimens catalog❦ Linotype Company One-Line Specimens of Linotype Faces

French University Press General Catalog 1950❦ Catalogue général des Presse Universitaires de France : 1950

Infantrymen Firing at a Pigeon❦ fantassins tirant sur un taube

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