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

Modern Air Forces in War Context❦ Aviation LAFON Charles Les armées aériennes modernes. France et étranger 1916

Botanical Elements 1891❦ Botanique ELEMENTS DE BOTANIQUE 1891

Jacques Chaban-Delmas Bridge in Bordeaux❦ BORDEAUX : PONT JACQUES CHABAN DELMAS – UN PONT S ELEVE DANS LA VILLE

Nigerian Art from the Musée des Arts d'Afrique et d'Océanie❦ ARTS DU NIGERIA. Collection du musée des Arts d’Afrique et d’Océanie

Parisian Grocery Recipes by Soucadou❦ cuisine EPICERIE PARISIENNE SOUCADAUCH RECETTES DE CUISINE

Gutenberg’s Printing Legacy by Bouchot❦ Gutenberg Henri Bouchot L’oeuvre de Gutenberg

Spare parts manual for SYMPA diesel engines (1949-1950)❦ sans permis notice de pièces détachées 49-49 L-125 SL -49 SLD diesel SYMPA

Jean Cocasse’s Adventures in 1930s Paris❦ Cartonnage Aventures de Jean Cocasse. Illustrations de René Giffey

Art Nouveau Young Woman❦ art nouveau jeune femme 1904

Mercedes-Benz 200D/220D/240D Technical Manual❦ mercedes Revue technique Mercedes Benz – 200D, 220D, 240D et 240D 3OOD

The Art of Reading for Secondary Education❦ LEGOUVE Ernest L’art de la lecture

Authentic hair postcard❦ cheveux carte poste à cheveux (authentique)

Walser language of the Vaudois❦ Valais language des Vaudois

Napoleon in Egypt and Waterloo: Original 1835 Edition❦ Napoléon en Egypte – Waterloo – Le Fils de l’homme 1835 illustré par Raffet

Moral reflections on wisdom's maxims❦ Ecole des moeurs ou réflexions morales et historiques sur les maximes de la sage

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