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

Bretoncelles Railway Station, Orne❦ orne 61 BRETONCELLES la gare, train

Bunau Varilla Biplane❦ biplan Bunau Varilla

Poems for the Beloved❦ SAMAIN, Albert Poèmes pour la grande amie

Swashbuckling adventure in old Spain❦ GAUTIER (Théophile) Le Capitaine Fracasse ill-Noury

Geology with 151 illustrated figures❦ Guède La géologie. 151 figures intercalées dans le texte

Complete Novels (1911-1951)❦ Mauriac François Oeuvres Romanesques (1911-1951)

Swiss Alpine journeys with artistic illustrations❦ SUISSE TÖPFFER Premiers voyages en Zigzag 1860

Alsatian baking: 280 pastry recipes❦ cuisine Bonnes recettes Alsa Patisseries. 280 Recettes de Patisserie

Napoleon at Waterloo❦ napoléon LACHOUQUE Napoléon à WATERLOO Henry LACHOUQUE

Legal insights on property and wills❦ droit M. Pothier traités des propres & des donations tetamentaires…

Nostradamus and His Flag❦ Magnus Rex de Nostradamus et son Drapeau 1948

Agricultural and Viticultural Progress 1902❦ Le Progrès Agricole et Viticole 1902 – 1er semestre

Russo-Japanese War: Pacific conflict origins and outcomes❦ Lutte pour le Pacifique – Origines et résultats de la guerre russo-japonaise

Memoirs of a Royal Granddaughter❦ Mémoires de Mlle de Montpensier, petite-fille de Henri IV, 1868

Napoleon's Marshals: Historical Portraits❦ Napoléon CHARDIGNY (Louis) Les maréchaux de Napoléon

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