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

Contemporary Tahitian-French Lexicon❦ Tahiti Lemaître, Yves Lexique du tahitien contemporain

Fouché’s Authentic Memoirs as Interior Minister❦ FOUCHE MEMOIRES COMPLETS ET AUTHENTIQUES DE JOSEPH FOUCHE, DUC D’OTRANTE

Spanish Ceremony of the Phoenix and Chess Game❦ COCTEAU Jean. Cérémonial espagnol du Phénix Suivi de La Partie d’échecs

Breton-Paulhan Correspondence 1918-1962❦ BRETON PAULHAN CORRESPONDANCE 1918-1962

Sepik River Art Masterpiece❦ Art of the Sepik River, Papua New Guinea

1860 Farmer's Practical Manual with Calendars❦ culture Calendrier du bon cultivateur ou manuel de l’agriculteur 1860

Paul Souday’s signed autograph letter❦ Paul Souday lettre autographe signée

Tseu-Hi: Dowager Empress of China (1835–1909)❦ Chine TSEU-HI Impératrice douairière (la CHINE de 1835 à 1909

Robida’s satirical sketches of early 20th-century society❦ Robida En haut du beffroi Suivi de l’Académie de danse de laroslaw

Cruel Zeeland by Jean-Jacques Pauvert❦ Cruelle Zélande Jean-Jacques Pauvert

Schiller's Thirty Years' War History❦ SCHILLER HISTOIRE DE LA GUERRE DE TRENTE ANS 1841

La Fontaine's Fables in Deluxe Binding❦ LA FONTAINE. Fables Plon 1930

Italian Army Uniforms circa 1900❦ Italie Die Italienische Armee in ihrer gegenwärtigen Uniformirung

Historical Bible Engravings in Fine Binding❦ Gallery of Scripture Engravings Historical and Landscape

147th Infantry Regiment NCOs❦ infanterie 147 e régiment d’infanterie les sous-officiers

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