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

1925 Duc de G. Art Collection Catalog❦ Catalogue des collections de M. le Duc de G. Galerie Georges Petit 1925

Hugo’s Parisian Sketches from 1888❦ HUGO Victor Choses Vues 1888

Lucifer Ilje’s surreal elephant saliva tale❦ CURIOSA LUCIFER ILJE La salive de l’éléphant. Eric Losfeld

Art Nouveau masterpieces by Raphaël Kirchner❦ art nouveau muse Raphaël KIRCHNER

Anonymous erotic memoir❦ Erotique Anonyme Ma vie secrète

1904 Illustrated Folio of Louis XIV’s Reign❦ TOUDOUZE LELOIR Le Roy Soleil 1904

Art Nouveau Craftsmanship❦ Art nouveau jugendstil Moderne art Raphaël KIRCHNER

Monte-Carlo Casino postcards set❦ MONACO casino de Monte-Carlo 3 cartes-postales (nuage), salle Touzet, théâtre

Marie-Antoinette: A Goncourt biography❦ GONCOURT Histoire de Marie-Antoinette

Art Nouveau: Young Woman with Jewelry❦ art nouveau jeune femme aux bijoux 1903

Etching by Claude Grobéty, 1972❦ Claude Grobéty eau-forte 1972

Arcachon beachfront commercial streets❦ Arcachon boulevard de la plage COMMERCES

Victorian-era marriage guide with medical and legal insights❦ Curiosa La Génération universelle Lois, secrets et mystères, le mariage 1887

Ivan the Terrible: Origins of Modern Russia❦ WALISZEWSKI Ivan Le Terrible 1904

Lace Patterns from the DMC Library❦ Bibliothèque D. M. C. Les Dentelles aux Fuseaux

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