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

Eugene and Murat: Military Operations & Diplomacy (1813-1814)❦ Le prince Eugène et Murat – 1813-1814. Opérations militaires – Négociat..

Witches: The Unvanquished Power of Women❦ Sorcières, la puissance invaincue des femmes

1853 Administrative & Commercial Directory of Aube❦ ANNUAIRE ADMINISTRATIF, statistique et commercial du département de l’Aube ..

Basile Valentin’s alchemical secrets revealed❦ REVELATION DES MYSTERES DES TEINTURES DES SEPT METAUX Valentin

Barlet plaster works by Clouchet❦ BARLEST usine à plâtre de M. Clouchet, puits et fours

The Sultaness of Love by Franz Toussaint❦ TOUSSAINT LA SULTANE DE L’AMOUR

Eisenstein’s Secret Drawings❦ Curiosa Eisenstein, Serguei Mikhailovitch Dessins secrets

Mafia Patriarch Balsamo Giuseppe Battista❦ Balsamo Giuseppe Battista MAIN NOIRE mafia PARRAIN

Fontainebleau in 1931: A Pictorial Journey❦ FONTAINEBLEAU ARTHAUD. 1931

Memoirs of Paris’s Chief of Police under Napoleon III❦ Mémoires de Monsieur Claude – chef de la police de sureté sous le second empire

Manon Lescaut: A tragic love story in 1913 edition❦ PREVOST Histoire du Chevalier des Grieux et de Manon / Hollande

Doyle’s Account of the Boer War❦ Doyle, Arthur Conan The Great Boer War 1900

17th-century engraving of St. John the Evangelist❦ gravure 17 ème 75 x 117 mm. Leclerc St. Jean l’évangéliste

Visa market square in 1907❦ Bourg de Visa place du marché 1907

YVANA STELLA 5 silver gelatin photographs 18 x 23 cm. Monaco❦ YVANA STELLA 5 photos argentiques 18 x 23 cm. Monaco

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