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

Andersen’s Fairy Tales Illustrated by Hedvig Collin❦ Hans Christian Andersen Contes d’Anderson

Ottoman cavalry and infantry in watercolor❦ Turquie cavalerie infanterie, aquarellé

HUME's History of England: Tudor Dynasty❦ Tudor HUME (David) Histoire d’Angleterre, contenant la maison de Tudor 1763

Algeria Betrayed by Money: Reply to Raymond Aron❦ Algérie trahie par l’argent. Réponse à M. Raymond Aron 1957

Parisian Theatre Almanac 1822❦ Almanach des spectacles 1822

Erotic exploration in Musset's work❦ érotique MUSSET Gamiani ou deux nuits d’excès. Préface du Dr. Fr. Froebel

Autograph letter to a poet friend❦ Halévy Lettre autographe

Victorian Novel of Redemption and Social Stigma❦ Mrs GASKELL Ruth 1872

Armand Silvestre’s Hilarious Tales❦ Silvestre Armand. CONTES HILARANTS

Strolling through Touraine, Anjou and Maine❦ Touraine HALLAYS, André En flanant à travers la France, Touraine, Anjou et Maine

Chamber Music: Poetry 1868❦ MUSIQUE DE CHAMBRE. POESIES.1868

Archaeological Treasures from Picardie Museum❦ collections archéologiques du Musée de Picardie

Gobineau’s Life and Prophecies❦ Gibineau VIE ET LES PROPHETIES DU COMTE DE GOBINEAU

Singer No. 15K88 sewing machine manual❦ instructions pour l’emploi de la machine à coudre Singer No. 15K88

Kanaky: 19th-century customs and beliefs❦ Calédonie LAMBERT, Père Moeurs et superstitions des néo-calédoniens

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