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

Buenos Aires in 1903: A photographic journey❦ Buenos Aires calle piedad 1903 ARGENTINA

Early 20th-century railway stations in France❦ Solesmes la gare

Pic et Picolo by Benjamin Rabier❦ Rabier (Benjamin) Pic et Picolo par Benjamin Rabier

Curmer's First Communion in maroon morocco binding❦ Curmer première communion reliure maroquin

French bookbinding from Gutenberg to the 18th century❦ Reliure MARIUS-MICHEL. La reliure française depuis l’invention de l’imprimerie

Blood and Sodom and Gomorrah❦ MALAPARTE (Curzio) Sang suivi de Sodome et Gomorrhe

Victorian-era school theatre anthology❦ VADIER Théâtre à la maison et à la pension HETZEL

Nobility and Titles in Christian Societies 1857❦ noblesse et les titres nobiliaires dans les sociétés chrétiennes 1857

Albert de Bersaucourt by Louis Mercier (1912)❦ Albert de Bersaucourt. Louis Mercier 1912

Ostervald's 1839 New Testament Bible❦ Bible J.-F. Ostervald Le nouveau testament de notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ 1839

Jules Romains: 'For the Sake of Keeping' with Author’s Dedication❦ ROMAINS (Jules) Pour raison garder + dédicace

Epic of Roland in French Verse❦ chanson de Roland . Piazza 1922

1889 Military Retrospective: Artillery & Imperial Guard❦ Armée Les anciennes armées françaises. Exposition rétrospective militaire

True Tales from France❦ Contes vrais 1850

Bello’s Original Poetry Collection 1870❦ BELLO Colección de Poesías Originales 1870

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