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

Fromont jeune and Risler aîné by Alphonse Daudet❦ DAUDET Alphonse Fromont jeune et Risler aîné

Small Conversational Oversights❦ PETITES IGNORANCES DE LA CONVERSATION

Albert Samain’s Collected Works in Three Volumes❦ SAMAIN Albert OEUVRES ill-Bécat

Samivel’s Alpine Tales❦ SAMIVEL CONTES A PIC

Practical Illustrated Printing Guide❦ Imprimeur nouveau guide pratique illustré de l’imprimerie

Paris Gardens and Squares in 1911❦ Paris Jardins et les Squares – 1911

Autumn Leaves and Twilight Songs❦ Hugo Les Feuilles d’Automne. – Les Chant du crépuscule

Julie’s Letters: A Romantic Alpine Tale in Miniature❦ mini ROUSSEAU Julie, ou la Nouvelle Héloïse, ou Lettres de 1827

Albert Samain’s Symbolist Masterpiece❦ SAMAIN ALBERT AU JARDIN DE L’INFANTE reliure Affolter EO 1893

1915 WWI French soldier route map❦ Tarbes route de Pau 1915 POILU

Napoleon’s Germany 1804–1811❦ Allemagne RAMBAUD ALLEMAGNE SOUS NAPOLEON 1er 1804 – 1811

Art Nouveau floral album with embossed plates❦ art nouveau jeune femme fleurs peintes et gaufrées

LOKOMA by Guillemette Marrier with dedication❦ Marrier LOKOMA – Guillemette Marrier + dédicace

Mérimée’s Spanish Letters (1830–1833)❦ MERIMEE Prosper. Lettres d’Espagne. (1830-1833)

Valmont’s Moral Downfall in 1834❦ Comte de Valmont ou les Egarements de la raison 1834

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

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