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

Transatlantic Company postcards illustrated by Lessieux❦ compagnie générale transatlantique 3 CPA Illustrées par Louis Lessieux

Strasbourg-Neuhof: The Plough Inn by Eduard Hamann❦ Strassburg-Neuhof wirtschaft zum pflug von Eduard Hamann Altenheimerstrasse

The Life of Ants - Tomorrow's Book❦ MAETERLINCK MAURICE. LA VIE DES FOURMIS- LE LIVRE DE DEMAIN

The Absent-Minded: Five Postcards❦ distraits les distraits 5 CPA 1906

Ax-les-Thermes: Thermal Valley Portrait❦ AX LES THERMES Vallée de Caussou – Femme du Pays

Belle Epoque Floral Greeting Card❦ Premier avril 1907 BELLE EPOQUE avec ce plat du jour recevez un grand Bonjour !

Lunel street scene with café and barber shop❦ Lunel boulevard Victor Hugo café coiffeur

Essays on Politics and History with Author's Inscription❦ Reinach Joseph Essais de politique et d’histoire + dédicace

A novel set in Russia during Rasputin's era❦ DUMUR (Louis) Le sceptre de la Russie S.P.

Mercure de France literary journal, February 1918❦ Mercure de France, n°472, 1918 Apollinaire…

Hermits of the High Pyrenees❦ RECLUS des HAUTES-PYRÉNÉES 1912

A Beautifully Illustrated Rare Edition❦ AUDEBRAND PHILIBERT UN PETIT-FILS DE ROBINSON illustré par Fath & Freeman

Dialogues Between Ancient and Modern Dead❦ FONTENELLE DIALOGUES DES MORTS ANCIENS ET MODERNES 1784

A Woman's Companion: Illustrated Edition❦ VAN DER MEERSCH (Maxence) La Compagne. Illustrations d’André Collot

Illuminated manuscripts of Northern Netherlands❦ La miniature dans les Pays-Bas septentrionaux 1937

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