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

Lives of Eastern Desert Fathers, 1825❦ orient PRINCIPALES VIES DES PERES DES DESERTS D’ORIENT 1825

1948 Directory for Graphic Industry Executives❦ annuaire-agenda des directeurs cadres et agents de maîtrise des industries..1948

Preservation of photographs, drawings and manuscripts❦ SAUVEGARDE ET CONSERVATION des photographies dessins et manuscrits 1991

Art Nouveau by Alphonse Mucha❦ Alphonse MUCHA ? art nouveau MODERN STYLE 1902

History of Emperor Charles VI and political upheavals❦ Histoire de l’empereur Charles VI et des révolutions. Arrivées dans l’Empire…

19th-c. French liturgical book on marriage rites❦ mariage LIVRE DU MARIAGE CONTENANT LES CEREMONIES ET LA MESSE DU MARIAGE Curmer

Monaco’s Monte-Carlo roulette❦ Monaco la roulette de Monte-Carlo

Perigord Bagpiper Woodcut❦ Dordogne Type du Périgord joueur de cornemuse

Chinese Adventures in Madagascar❦ chine Madagascar DEMAISON (André) Le jeu des 36 bêtes 1935

Posthumous Works of Rousseau❦ ROUSSEAU Oeuvres Posthumes 1783

Original XVIIth Century Loire Map❦ Loire carte XVIIè originale, rehaussée en couleur

Behind the Scenes of Boulangism 1890❦ BOULANGER Les coulisses du boulangisme 1890

Entrance to the Pinon Estate❦ Domaine de Pinon entrée du garde

17th-century French letter-writing guide❦ Secrétaire à la mode ou méthode facile 1678

Classic 19th-Century French Household Cookbook❦ CUISINE Mlle Madeleine La Parfaite cuisinière bourgeoise

📦 We ship antiquarian books worldwide

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