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

Bronze medal by Mérelle, signed❦ TOULET Paul Jean Médaille bronze 67 mm. signée Mérelle

Playful word games❦ Biévriana, ou jeux de mots de M. de Biévre 1814

Catalog of Human Oddities❦ ALMANACH DES BIZARRERIES HUMAINES 1889

Documentary on Flying Saucers❦ Soucoupes volantes viennent d’un autre monde

Unknown Utopist: Louis XIII's Codicils❦ utopiste inconnu. Les Codicilles de Louis XIII

Illustrated tales from Épinal❦ DESCAVES L’Humble Georgin imagier d’épinal

Surrealism and its Artistic Expression❦ BRETON André Le Surréalisme et la Peinture

Complete works of REGNARD❦ REGNARD OEUVRES COMPLETES DE REGNARD 1820

Elementary Physics Course❦ physique BOUTA. & ALMEIDA COURS ÉLEMENTAIRE DE PHYSIQUE 1867

Posthumous works on truth and appearances❦ Hayem DUMAS Oeuvres posthumes. Vérité & apparences 1891

Dance of Satyrs and Bacchantes❦ Faunesses et bacchantes + dédicace

The treasure of Carcassonne❦ Carcassonne ROBIDA, A. (Albert) Le trésor de Carcassonne

A tale of chivalry and quests❦ Perceval les feux de paille, dentu 1879

The End of Brothels in France❦ Erotique BOUDARD Alphonse LA FERMETURE – 13 AVRIL: LA FIN DES MAISONS CLOSES

French Self-portraits by Gavarni and Daumier❦ Gavarni Daumier Les français peints par eux-mêmes

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