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

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

Art Nouveau portrait of a young woman❦ art nouveau jeune femme 1904

Marrel hydraulic buckets technical manual❦ Bennes Hydrauliques MARREL type uni

Curiosa from Éric Losfeld’s circle❦ CURIOSA EMILIENNE ERIC LOSFELD

Human Machine Mechanics and Physiology❦ LA MACHINE HUMAINE ANATOMIE MECANIQUE PHYSIOLOGIE

Whist rules by Deschapelles: rare 1839 edition❦ JEU DESCHAPELLES. Traité du Whiste. II e partie La législation 18

Fortune-telling lucky charm card❦ Porte Bonheur carte festonnée

1905 Oyster Farming Techniques in Ares❦ Huitres Ostréiculteurs blanchissant les tuiles ARES 1905

Indre-et-Loire Geography by Adolphe Joanne❦ Indre-et-Loire Adolphe Joanne***Géographie 37

Brouage: A Short History from Documents❦ Brouage Petite Histoire de Brouage (d’après les Documents) 1948

Massillon’s Lenten Sermons, 1830❦ Massillon Petit Careme de Massillon. 1830

Montaigut-sur-Save: Avenue de Levignac Carriolle❦ MONTAIGUT SUR SAVE – AVENUE DE LEVIGNAC carriolle

Acrobatics in 26 Weeks: 1943 Guidebook❦ acrobatie en vingt-six semaines 1943

Practical Winemaking & Storage Manual 1947❦ vin MANUEL PRATIQUE DE VINIFICATION ET DE CONSERVATION 1947

Champaigne: Politics and Devotion in 17th-Century Art❦ Philippe de Champaigne entre politique et dévotion

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