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

The Joys of Theatre❦ PLAISIRS En scène ou les Plaisirs du Théâtre, Bavardages ou les Plaisirs de la..

Père Castor's Playful Album❦ LIDA Coucou. Albums du Père Castor 1951

Italian Ceramics of 1884❦ Céramique italienne 1884

Therapeutic Benefits of Chocolate❦ Chocolat vertus thérapeutiques du chocolat ou…

Dumas: Illustrated tale of the Comtesse Berthe❦ Dumas La bouillie de la comtesse Berthe. Illustré par Bertall. Hetzel

Mercuriales with author's dedication❦ Albert Buisson Mercuriales + dédicace

First coffee house encounters❦ Bottaro café prima

Russian Doll Mysteries❦ PLISNIER La Matriochka. Illustrations de A. Chem

Albigensian Treasure: 16th-Century Toulouse Novel❦ trésor des albigeois, roman du XVIe siecle à Toulouse

Rembrandt: Drawings and Engravings Exhibition❦ REMBRANDT COURBOIN François EXPOSITION D’OEUVRES DE REMBRANDT dessins et gravure

Woman under a Glass Dome, circa 1899❦ cocotte sur une cloche, vers 1899

Gilded Belle Époque Art Nouveau Design❦ Belle époque ART NOUVEAU dorée et gaufrée

Bob at the Exhibition❦ Gyp BOB à l’Exposition

Clouzot & Wife - Silver Print Portrait❦ Clouzot & sa femme photo argentique 18 x 13 cm.

Cavalry - Photo-card series❦ cavalerie 2 photo-carte

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