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

Practical Dictionary of Ancient Ceramics 1925❦ DICTIONNAIRE PRATIQUE DE CERAMIQUE ANCIENNE 1925

Swiss travel guide with Alpine routes, 1865❦ SUISSE JOANNE Itinéraire descriptif et historique de la Suisse 1865

Breton’s Letters to Aube, 1938-1966❦ André Breton Lettres à Aube : 1938-1966

Emile Vitta’s Franciscan Walk with Dedication❦ Vitta Promenade Franciscaine + dédicace

Literary Manifestos of the Belle Époque (1886–1914)❦ Manifestes littéraires de la Belle époque, 1886-1914

The Tuileries Palace: A Grand Historical Legacy❦ PALAIS DES TUILERIES

Emmanuel Berl’s European History❦ BERL EMMANUEL. HISTOIRE DE L EUROPE

Rational Mechanics: Dynamics of Material Point❦ Mécanique Rationnelle Dynamique du point matériel

Bishopric of Bayeux: 18th–19th Century History❦ Bayeux Histoire du diocèse de Bayeux, XVIIIe et XIXe siècle 1877

Marguerite by Huré, 1882 with Flameng etching❦ Flameng Huré Marguerite Jouaust 1882 – Eau-Forte

Paris in 1941: A wartime tribute❦ Paris 1941 ESCHOLIER Paris

Contemporary Houses 2002: Innovative Global Designs❦ architecture Melhuish Maisons Contemporaines 2002

Misfortune is Good by Danielle d'Arthez❦ Malheur est Bon d’ARTHEZ Danielle – 1903

Banville’s Playful Odes of 1859❦ Banville Odes Funambulesques 1859

Around Paris in 1911: A Journey Through Île-de-France❦ HALLAYS Autour de Paris 1911

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