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

Tolstoy’s Kreutzer Sonata in Deluxe Edition❦ TOLSTOI Comte Léon La Sonate à Kreutzer

Hand-painted souvenir fan with floral motif❦ éventail rehaussé à la peinture 90 x 30 mm. Souvenir d’un coeur ami et dévoué

Vintage pull-out scenic card, 80 x 120 mm❦ Belle époque carte à système 80 x 120 mm.

Normandy Archaeology: Saxons by LELIEVRE❦ Normandie archéologie SAXONS

Ronsard’s Complete Works in Elzevirs❦ RONSARD Oeuvres complètes de P. de Ronsard bib. Elzévirienne

Normandy’s Coastal Landscapes in 1890❦ LITTORAL DE LA FRANCE – Côtes Normandes

1985 Satory Land Weaponry Exhibition❦ Armement terrestres France Satory X : Exposition de matériels d’armement 1985

Dolgoroukow’s 1861 exposé on Russia❦ Russie Dolgoroukow La Vérite sur La Russie 1861

1957 Pop-up Edition of Sleeping Beauty❦ Pop up La Belle au bois dormant Del Duca, 1957

Feminine intrigues in Courteline’s circle❦ Courteline Georges Les Femmes d’amis ill-Brunner

Le Havre bourgeoisie beach August 1907 stereoscopic card set❦ LE HAVRE bourgeoisie plage du HAVRE Aout 1907 carte stéréo x 8

Dancer at the Moulin Rouge in grand écart❦ DANSEUSE au moulin rouge grand écart SAGER

Art Nouveau Young Woman❦ art nouveau jeune femme

Mallarmé’s 1897 Reflections on Art❦ Mallarmé Divagations 1897 EO

1907 Postal & Telegraph Almanac Lot-et-Garonne Hunting❦ Almanach des postes et des télégraphes 1907 lot et Garonne chasse

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