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

Complete Works with Critical Apparatus and Illustrations❦ RABELAIS Oeuvres de Rabelais 1823 Deveria

Advanced Military Artillery Training Manual❦ Artillerie préparation militaire supérieure

Jesuit missionaries among the Betsileo people❦ Madagascar Ils ne sont que quarante. Les Jésuites chez les Betsiléos

Calligraphy Samples from Lisboa❦ Typographie modelos de caligrafia

Memoirs of the Chevalier de Grammont❦ Hamilton Mémoires du chevalier de Grammont 1876

Intimate Correspondence of a Literary Figure❦ FRANCK HENRI LETTRES A QUELQUES AMIS + dédicace

Early Romantic Poetry Collection❦ HUGO Odes et ballades 1827

Epidemic Lessons and Public Health❦ épidémie Leçons Sur les épidémies et L’Hygiène Publique 1824

Passion and Fate in Seville❦ MERIMÉE (Prosper) Carmen

Bon Marché Pomone Pavilion 1925 Art Deco❦ Bon Marché pavillon Pomone 1925 ART DECO

The Legend of King Albert I of Belgium❦ LA LEGENDE D’ALBERT 1er – ROI DES BELGES dessins de Hergé

Unpublished Correspondence of Grimm and Diderot❦ Grimm Diderot Correspondance Inédite 1829

Experimental physics of sound and light❦ Acoustique Optique physique expérimentale

Mystery of the Labrador Sphinx❦ Jean De La Hire LE SPHYNX DU LABRADOR

Surrealist Movement: Second Manifesto❦ BRETON, André Second manifeste du surréalisme Paris Editions Kra 1930

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