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

Balthus retrospective exhibition catalog❦ Balthus Pompidou 1984

Journey through Tartary and Tibet; The Chinese Empire❦ Huc Souvenirs d’un voyage dans la Tartarie et le Tibet ; L’Empire chinois 1879

Urban café and bicycle culture❦ la courtine la place 23 CAFE CYCLES

Mining Operations & Coal Processing Techniques❦ Graissessac la sortie des mineurs & Cribles et triage du charbon

The Art of Personal Grooming and Beauty❦ STAFFE (Baronne). Le Cabinet de Toilette 1891

Concise Dictionary of Mythology for Literary and Artistic Understanding❦ CHOMPRÉ DICTIONNAIRE ABRÉGÉ DE LA FABLE. Pour l’Intelligence 1772

Agricultural and Wine Progress 1907 - First Half❦ Le Progrès Agricole et Viticole 1907 – 1er semestre

Art Nouveau Elegant Woman❦ Art nouveau jugendstil jeune femme Moderne Art 1902

Young Robinson in Paris - Illustrated❦ Robinson Foa Eugénie Le Petit Robinson de Paris ill- de Giffey

Travel guide from Paris to Buenos Aires❦ Argentine ITINERAIRE DE PARIS A BUENOS-AYRES Brousson + envois…

Illustrated Works by Courteline❦ COURTELINE (2 TOMES) illustré par DIGNIMONT

Religious, civil and monumental history of ancient and modern Paris❦ Paris HERBIN Lutèce et Paris. Histoire religieuse, civile, monumentale 1847

Grasse 1913 harvest photo-postcard❦ Grasse 1913 photo-carte récolte

Artillery Tactics in Army Corps Operations❦ artillerie Emploi de l’Artillerie dans le corps d’Armée Général Tardy 1924 METZ

French Culinary Art: Recipes and Pastry❦ Cuisine L’ART CULINAIRE FRANCAIS : LE RECETTES DE CUISINE, PATISSERIE 1961

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