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

Holbein Ornamental Drawings - Japan paper edition❦ Holbein DESSINS D’ORNEMENTS DE HANS HOLBEIN – nté sur japon

Practical accounting ledger and calculations❦ livre des comptes-faits, Où l’on trouve 1787. 70 x 120 mm.

Revolutionary Posters: Art of Change❦ REVOLUTION L’AFFICHE EN RÉVOLUTION

Maritime Museum at Chaillot Palace❦ Musée de la Marine. Palais de Chaillot 1964

Hunting expeditions in North America❦ CHASSE YAN’DARGENT [Illustrations] Chasses dans l’Amérique du Nord

The Heroic Life of Guynemer❦ BORDEAUX Henry VIE HEROIQUE DE GUYNEMER 1918

Curated Collection of French Poetry❦ Trésor Lyrique ou Recueil Choisi de Poésies Francaises 65 x 95 mm.

Complete Flanders: Early Tenderness and Dune Garland❦ VERHAEREN Toute la Flandre (I, Les Tendresses premières, La Guirlande des dunes

Pauline's Happiness❦ Mme de Bosguérard Les Bonheurs de Pauline

Winter Tales: Festive Rooftops & Christmas Night❦ DAUDET Alphonse CONTES D’HIVER. La Fête des Toits – Nuit de Noël

Stylistic exercises and linguistic variations❦ Queneau Raymond Exercices de style. Gallimard 1979

Life of a King's Musketeer❦ Mousquetaire BORDAZ D’Artagnan, mousquetaire du roi. Sa vie, son époque…

Passionate Spanish Romance❦ MERIMEE Carmen, Calmann Lévy 1884

Molière: Theaters, Public & Comedians of His Era❦ Molière les Théâtres Le Public & les Comédiens de son Temps

Peugeot 204 Diesel technical manual❦ Peugeot REVUE TECHNIQUE AUTOMOBILE – PEUGEOT “204 Diesel” 1971

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