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

Rural fiddler’s tale with charming illustrations❦ VIOLON violoneux de la Sapinière. Ouvrage illustré de 85 vignettes par MARIE

Medieval parchment illumination❦ Enluminure 70 x 59 mm.

Night at the Rose Hotel - Surrealist fiction❦ BRETON (André) FOURRÉ (Maurice) La Nuit du Rose-Hôtel

The Sainte-Chapelle du Palais: History & Architecture❦ ROBIDA (A.) RENARD (G.).- La Sainte-Chapelle du Palais. Texte de G. Renard

French goldsmiths from Louis XIII to Charles X❦ ORFÈVRES DE LOUIS XIII À CHARLES X

Ancient China: History and Culture of the Middle Kingdom❦ CHINE ANCIENNE. L’HISTOIRE ET LA CULTURE DE L’EMPIRE DU MILIEU

Comprehensive Treatise on Worms and Vermiform Animals❦ Traité de zoologie concrète. Tome V: Les vermidiens 1897

Visits to the Holy Sacrament and Virgin Mary❦ Mini Visites au Saint Sacrement et à la Sainte Vierge 1879, 66 x 100 mm.

A Glimpse into the Future by René Boylesve❦ BOYLESVE René LE BEL AVENIR

Phéidas Amphoras: Rare Original Tales with Delcourt Illustrations❦ TINAN Les Amphores de Phéidas Contes Erythrée orné par Maurice Delcourt + lettre

Signed letter from Pierre Brossolette❦ Pierre Brossolette lettre autographes signée

French Victories in Italy: War Correspondents' Account❦ Victoires des Français en Italie

Art Nouveau Works by Raphael Kirchner❦ Raphael Kirchner

Faust - German classic in French translation❦ GOETHE – Traduit par Gérard de NERVAL. FAUST

Miniature zoological gardens❦ Mini zoological gardens regent’s park 65 x 75 mm.

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

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