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

Autumn Leaves by Victor Hugo❦ Hugo Victor LES FEUILLES D’AUTOMNE Hetzel

Early Printing in Orléans 1884❦ Orléans LES DEBUTS DE L’IMPRIMERIE A ORLEANS 1884

Art Nouveau Poster by Raphaël Kirchner❦ Art nouveau jugendstil jeune femme Raphaël KIRCHNER non signée…??

Art Nouveau Embossed Prints❦ KIRCHNER Raphael Kirchner demi-vierge 2 CPA embossed

The Secret Son of Marshal Lannes, Duke of Montebello❦ FILS OCCULTE du MARECHAL LANNES, DUC de Montebello

Napoleon’s War Maxims & 1813 Autumn Campaign❦ Napoléon Maximes de guerre de Napoléon Ier stratégie napoléonienne 1897

Satirical critique of human folly in 1792❦ compère Mathieu, ou les bigarrures de l’esprit humain 1793

Tintin: The Crab with the Golden Claws sequel❦ Hergé L’affaire Tournesol

Practical Guide for Navigators❦ marine LABROSSE Guide Pratique du Capitane : Traité de navigation, d’astronomie

Rimbaud’s life and legacy❦ RIMBAUD ARNOULT PIERRE RIMBAUD S.P.

People of a Vosges Valley and Its Dialect❦ Vosges KEIFLIN Gens de bruche une vallée vosgienne et son patois welche

Chateldon near Vichy: Old House❦ Chateldon environ de Vichy Chateldon vieille maison

Artistic depictions of women and pelicans❦ Raphael Kirchner femme et le pélican

Galuchat: Art of Shagreen Craftsmanship❦ Galuchat Lison de Caunes

Saint-Jean-de-Luz beach panoramic view (1901)❦ Saint-Jean de Luz vue générale de la plage (carte nuage) 1901

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

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