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

Vidal-Lablache’s 1933 Historical-Geographical Atlas❦ Vidal-Lablache ATLAS Histoire et géographie 1933

Tavernier’s 1817 Atlas of India and Asia❦ perse, Asie, Inde, Voyage ATLAS 1817 Tavernier

A noblewoman’s exile: Memoirs of the French Revolution❦ Adélaïde de Kerjean, marquise de Falaiseau, vie d’une femme pendant l’émigration

Paris Commune Acts During the Revolution, Vol. IV❦ Paris LACROIX Actes de la Commune de Paris pendant la Révolution

Anti-Lucretius: Poem on Natural Religion (1767)❦ POLIGNAC L’anti-Lucrèce poême sur la religion naturelle 1767

Historical overview of Toulouse❦ Toulouse LE CAPITOLE ET LE PARLEMENT DE TOULOUSE 1926

Historical Atlas of France and Colonies, 1871❦ ATLAS MIGEON, POIRÉE, VUILLEMIN. La France et ses Colonies. Atlas illustré 1871

Treasures from the Arsenal Library❦ TRESORS DE LA BIBLIOTHEQUE DE L’ARSENAL BIBLIOTHEQUE NATIONALE

Lucien Bonaparte’s Secret Memoirs❦ MEMOIRES SECRETS sur LA VIE PRIVEE, POLITIQUE et LITTERAIRE de LUCIEN BONAPARTE

Marshal Ney’s final campaign❦ Maréchal Ney, 1815

Rimbaud’s Early Poetry in Deluxe Edition❦ Rimbaud Arthur Poésies

Gustave Toudouze’s Phantom Gondola Illustrated by Vogel❦ Toudouze Gustave La gondole fantôme ill-Vogel

Western Musical Instruments Historical Atlas❦ Instruments de musique du monde occidental ARTHAUD

Historical and archaeological study of Pont-Audemer arrondissement❦ Essai historique, archéologique et statistique sur l’ar. de PONT-AUDEMER 1833

OMRY’s Pirate Queen Adventure❦ OMRY La reine des Corsaires

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