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

The Lost Domain by Alain-Fournier❦ Alain Fournier ill G. de Sainte Croix Le Grand Meaulnes

Antwerp Esperanto Congress 1911 postcard❦ BARBAZAN aux Thermes CARTE-PHOTO 1911

Art Nouveau Marionettes by Raphaël Kirchner❦ Art nouveau jugendstil Moderne art Raphaël KIRCHNER

Napoleon in Egypt: The 1798 Expedition❦ Napoléon Egypte L’expédition d’Egypte 1891

Charles Derennes’ Perséphone with author’s dedication❦ DERENNES (Charles). Perséphone + dédicace

Daudet’s Letters from My Mill in a Rare Edition❦ Daudet lettres de mon moulin ill- Deslignières

Renault Dauphine Technical Manual (1956-1958)❦ Dauphine REVUE TECHNIQUE AUTOMOBILE – Renault “dauphine” 1956-1958

Ste-Foy-la-Grande: Place des Victoires & Rue de la République❦ STE-FOY-LA-GRANDE – La Place des Victoires et la Rue de la République

19th-century military cube puzzle set with chromolithographs❦ Cubes boîtes de cubes 33 x42 x 7 cm. XIXème scènes militaires

Stereo photo of Le Havre, Bléville 1927❦ LE HAVRE Bléville 1927 photo stéréo

HALEVY’s critique on freedom’s decline❦ HALEVY Daniel Décadence de la liberté dédicacé

Count of Paris and the House of France, 1956❦ COMTE DE PARIS ET LA MAISON DE FRANCE 1956

Cléo de Mérode: Three Original Postcards❦ Cléo de Mérode 3 CPA originales

Art Nouveau embossed Jugendstil bookplate❦ Jungenstil ART NOUVEAU gaufré BRW 415

French postal history 1910❦ Bois-le-Roi la poste 77

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