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

Boulanger: The Daring General❦ Boulanger brave général BOULANGER

Annotated French Railway Code 1905❦ SNCF CODE ANNOTÉ DES CHEMINS DE FER EN EXPLOITANTS 1905

Fairy Tales by Teresa Lorioux❦ Contes merveilleux ill-Lorioux TERESA

Star Wars: A Classic Sci-Fi Novelization❦ star wars LUCAS G. LA GUERRE DES ETOILES. 1977

Golden Book of École Polytechnique by Paul Tuffrau (1962)❦ ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE LIVRE D’OR PAUL TUFFRAU 1962

Exploring Gender Confusion in History❦ confusion des sexes. Le travestissement de la Renaissance à la Révolution.

Graduated Selection of 50 Writing Styles❦ écriture CHOIX GRADUE DE 50 SORTES D’ECRITURES

Napoleon’s Memoirs and Works by Martel❦ Napoléon MARTEL MEMOIRES ET OEUVRES DE NAPOLEON

Second Memorandum by a French author❦ Barbey d’Aurevilly Deuxième Memorandum (1838), et quelques pages de 1864.

Bigorre’s historical hairstyles❦ contributions à l’histoire de la coiffure en Bigorre

Virtue’s Gifts: 1787 Charity and Courage Chronicle❦ Etrennes de la vertu, pour l’année 1787

Life of Voltaire by Duvernet, 1786❦ DUVERNET La Vie de Voltaire. Genève, 1786

French Cavalry: Hussard de la Mort❦ Cavalerie française HUSSARD DE LA MORT 48 x 32 cm

Illustrated exploration of Algeria and Tunisia❦ Algérie et Tunisie Reclus 1909

Stereo map of Le Havre near the museum, 1907❦ LE HAVRE près du musée 1907 carte stéréo

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