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

Witty tales by Marquis de Sade❦ SADE (Marquis de) Contes licencieux

Medieval Garden Seasons at Orsan Priory❦ Jardin Au temps des jardins médiévaux: Les saisons au prieuré d’Orsan

Fables illustrated by Grandville❦ Fables. Illustrées par J.-J. Grandville FLORIAN LA FONTAINE

Stendhal's tale of Naples in 1740❦ Stendhal. Suora Scolastica. Histoire qui émut tout Naples en 1740

Married Life: Daumier's Satirical Lithographs❦ Curiosa DAUMIER (Honoré) Moeurs Conjugales

Trade, mobility and knowledge in ancient Near East❦ circulation des biens, des personnes et des idées dans le proche-Orient ancien

Royan, Saintes and Neighboring Beaches❦ Royan Saintes et Les Plages Voisines 1927

The English and India - Historical Analysis❦ INDE Les Anglais et l’Inde 1857

Precision Watchmaking Catalogue❦ Horlogerie de précision SARDA Besançon catalogue

Rare illustrated tale of Raton, the joyful girl❦ curiosa HISTOIRE DE LA BIENHEUREUSE RATON FILLE DE JOIE chas-laborde rel.Leonard

King Pausole's Adventures - Erotic Classic Illustrated❦ érotique LOUYS aventures du roi Pausole ill- par Ballivet ex. de Albert Dubout

Auction catalog of old drawings, watercolors and gouaches❦ Léon Roux Catalogue de Dessins Anciens, Aquarelles et Gouaches 1903

Uncle Benjamin - Illustrated Edition❦ Hémard Mon oncle Benjamin

Memoirs and correspondence of an 18th-century salon hostess❦ EPINAY MARQUISE Mémoires et Correspondance de Madame d’Epinay 1818

Story of Manon Lescaut & the Knight❦ PREVOST Histoire de Manon Lescaut et du Chevalier des Grieux Maupassant

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