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

Guide to La Rochelle❦ LA ROCHELLE Guides diamant La Rochelle Hachette, 1924

Historical souvenirs of Pau Castle❦ Pau chateau de Pau – Souvenirs historiques – son histoire Bascle de Lagreze

Regulations on Commercial Affairs❦ Tournay rue de la république COMMERCES MENU socialiste

Letters of Descartes, Volume IV❦ Descartes Correspondance Tome IV

Seizure and Capture❦ La Saisie par Leloir

A tale of two brothers❦ LES DEUX HENRI illustré par Vogel

The art of gilding, painting and varnishing❦ Doreur L’Art du Peintre, Doreur et Vernisseur, ouvrage utile 1823

Royal Guard Acrobats❦ Voltigeurs garde royale 39×55,5 cm lithographie

New Year 1906 from Lectoure❦ BONNE ANNEE 1906 Lectoure

Frozen Desserts and Beverages❦ ENTREMETS ET BOISSONS GLACES

Voltaire's legal crusades and defense cases❦ VOLTAIRE AVOCAT – CALAS, SIRVEN ET AUTRES AFFAIRES

The Life of Friedrich Nietzsche❦ Halévy Daniel La vie de Frédéric Nietzsche

Precise sewing techniques and methods❦ Couture Précis de couture

Rance's Life: A Portrait❦ CHATEAUBRIAND VIE DE RANCE

Apollinaire's Works in New Edition❦ Guillaume Apollinaire 1949 sur vergé

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