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

Illustrated Spain and Portugal❦ Espagne et le Portugal illustrés

France through San-Antonio’s eyes❦ SAN ANTONIO L’histoire de France vue par San Antonio

Victor Hugo’s Early Viking Tale in Rare 1835 Edition❦ HUGO VICTOR HAN D’ISLANDE in 32 1835

Luther’s German Bible in Deluxe Pocket Edition❦ bibel Martin Luther Die Bibel oder die ganze heilige Schrift 1948

Roquelaure: A Gascogne Village Chronicle❦ Roquelaure près d’Auch, village de Gascogne 32

Erasmus' Colloquia Familiaria (1646)❦ Erasme Erasmi roterodami colloquia familiaria 1646 MINI

Levy-Albert’s 1891 School Library Chats❦ LEVY-ALBERT CAUSERIES 1891

La Bruyère’s Moral Portraits from Theophrastus❦ LA BRUYERE LES CARACTERES DE THEOPHRASTE TRADUIT DU GREC 1951

Victor Hugo’s Maritime Masterpiece❦ VICTOR HUGO LES TRAVAILLEURS DE LA MER

Memoirs of Cardinal de Retz from Louis XIV’s early reign❦ RETZ Cardinal Mémoires du Cardinal DE RETZ 1817

Stereo view of Harfleur’s Château de Collemoulin❦ Harfleur allée du château de Collemoulin 76 carte stéréo

Augier’s 1850 Ciguë miniature book❦ Mini Augier La ciguë 1850 76 x 104 mm.

Medieval Normandy agriculture study❦ Agriculture en Normandie 1851

Naples Museum Paintings 1863❦ Naples Tableaux du musée de Naples 1863

Fashion The Monitor of Ladies and Young Ladies. Years 1858❦ Mode Le Moniteur des Dames et des Demoiselles. Années 1858

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